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MADISON PROJECT INTERVIEW ON WUSB RADIO
http://www.wusb-recess.blogspot.com/

interview from NeuFutur Magazine Issue 15-(8/7/08) (http://neufutur.com/?p=3897)

By James McQ



Can you first give us an introduction to the members of the band, and then describe for us the genesis of the Madison Project?

Madison Project is a rock trio that formed Burlington, VT. Forrest Thomas on drums Ben Kogan on bass and me on vocals and guitar. The genesis of Madison Project came from an idea; a vision that i saw. The previous band that i was in was going in a different direction and I found myself not being able to write what i was really trying to put down; it was not comming naturally and i was forcing something that wasnt true. i began writing different guitar parts, melodys and focusing on the hook of the song. when writing "I Am The Target" i wrote what came naturally, of course i have influences but i wasnt trying to sound like other bands, just Madison Project; and i think that it shows on the record.

What bands would you say are your greatest influences, and how do they factor into your sound as a band?

In my youth; lke most people my age heavily influenced by early 90's "grunge" bands like Nirvana, Alice and Chains and Pearl Jam. Then as i moved into my early teen's, being around the skate scene, i was introduced to bands like NOFX, Bouncing Souls, Slimer, The Vandals, Blink 182, Homegrown, MXPX, The Descendents…i could keep going.

I think that vocally i grab alot of influence from my punk rock background, i love that grit voice. i think alot of my influences are somewhat hidden in my unconcious. my best friend had just arrvived back from France and he called me from JFK. "I was listening to the Sliverchair album "Frogstomp" on the plane and your record has the same type of feel, you into them?" I was very much into Silverchair when they came out (also love their sophmore release "freakshow.") I first heard Silverchair on WAAF (Boston), bought the album, and saw them on their first US tour and really dug into that album. You could say that albums like that, i study them and really get into the dynamics. i havent listened to Silverchair since the late 90's, and i defanatly almost forgot about them. I just re-bought those albums. So, yeah. i think that some of this music is comming from my unconscious. alot of people since the release, like my friend; have sent myspace messages and fans commenting after a show have said that Madison Project in all different ways can find something that they relate to and is reminicent of a different time of their lives. i can remember sitting in my mom's car listening to the radio, classic rock and roll. the background from soundtracks on tv shows and movies. Its the feeling of living and how you choose to look at the world. believing that there is something out there that is guiding you. believing that it is helping us find the way. i think that everything happens for a reason and i follow what i understand; its the unconcious, the inspiration of the unknown; thats the evolution of creativity.


In the same vein, what LP, CD, tape (or 8 track), would you categorize as your most cherished, and why?

I think that in some way, when all the digtal music cameout, alot of those cherished moments failed. there was something so personal with a cassette tape. opening up a Maxell 90 minute tape and sitting there for half the night making a killer mix tape, and now i can just go on my iTunes and make a playlist then burn a copy in under 5 min. I would say that my most centimental tape would be NOFX "Punk In Drublic," In 1994, it was the album of my summer, so many good memories. Now its 14 years later and i still cant stop listening to that album.

Can you give us a little bit of information about your debut album, "I Am The Target"? How has it added to rock music, and how was it to work with Frank Aversa? Finally, were there a number of tracks that were left on the cutting room floor, or did most of them make it to a finished format?

Working with Frank was a great experience, when i met him at the studio for the first time it seemed like our personalities clicked, and that made for a good recording enviornment. We had a week for pre-production, which we re-worked some parts and changed somethings around. There were even some songs that wernt completley finnished, and Frank and our musical director Robby Baier; who also played bass and co-wrote the opening track "Rock It," helped with some of the writing process. Having a fresh pair of ears never hurts, sometimes you have the song so engraved in your brain, that you dont know that the simpilest hook is right there in front of your face.

Are there any plans to tour in the next few months? What places, venues, or cities would you like to play but have not yet?

I think that after the summer tour, i will get back and work on new material to add a few more songs to the live show. I think that "I Am The Target" still has lots of life in it and i don't want to rush back in the studio, touring has been so much fun and gets better every tour. We also havent visited many cities that have supported the record. We have done very well in college and major radio, there has been 3 songs (Fallen, Rock It and Masters Flying) that have been in rotation since the release, its good to know that people like what we are putting out. I'm stoked.

What is the most memorable time that you have had on tour?

my most memorable experience on tour is not just one. its just the feeling of being on the road, getting more stoked everyday, playing better everynight. just locking in super tight. i sleep better on the road than i do at home. if have to name one, it would be on the "I Am The Target" release tour. We had a killer show that night, the tour was going amazing. we were blasting some tunes in our 16 passenger van, somehow we started a mosh pit. all of us (besides our merch guy who was driving) we were going over the seats, crowd surfing…. and this is all down the highway at like 3am. then we got a hotel later and were doing front flips from bed to bed…i could name a million, i just love being on tour.

What was behind the decision to go on an Acoustic Tour?

The decision to go on the Acoustic Tour was an idea that has been floating around my head since the beginning of the writing process for "I Am The Target." I wrote all the songs on an acoustic, and i just think it sounds really good acoustically. We were trying to fit in some acoustic versions as B Sides, but there wasnt enough time. This acoustic tour has been so much fun, possibly one of my favorite tours since the record has been released. I think will keep doing the acoustic shows from time to time, its a nice change in pace and the crowds have been very responsive. I plan to go into the studio; late July to record a track off "I Am The Target" played acoustic.

How has the rising prices of gas modified your touring plans, and barring a tax break on gas, how does it look to influence your touring in the months and years to come?

This is been the hardest time for a touring band ever and i think that anyone who is on the road for weeks or months at a time will agree. The prices are over $4.50 a gallon, and while making money at the shows and merch sales, it still is really tough. I have been on tour for the past few weeks with The Nightbirds for the Madison Project Acoustic Summer Tour and we are all in the same van. I am in a laundrymat and all the news is talking about is the gas prices, California is at $4.75 a gallon. Its going to be tough to make it, but somehow it always works out. thats half the fun, the unexpected.


How do individuals get in contact with you, and if they wanted to hear your music, how exactly would they do that?

The best way to contact Madison Project is to visit our myspace page (myspace.com/madisonproject) It is run by the band, so I try to write back as quick as possible. Our debut album "I Am The Target" is available for download on iTunes and other internet download sites.

Due to the cancelation of the Utah, Nevada and California shows of the Madison Project Acoustic Summer Tour, there will be a week run of shows on the coast of California on the second week of July. The tour will make stops in West Hollywood, Los Angeles and San Diego. Confirmed dates will be announced with in the next week. Looking forward to playing these shows, it was such a bummer to cancel those shows and are glad that it can be made up.

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported this Summer Tour, so many great cities and people. Sorry to the folks in Utah and Nevada, we will make it back soon.
Keep checking postings, dates to be announced soon.
ROCK!
-mp-

This is what got us across country and back, these albums....if you havent heard them...check it out!!

1. No Use For A Name- "The Feel Good Record of The Year"

2. Alice in Chains- "MTV Unplugged"

3. Four Year Strong- "Rise or Die Trying"

4. Lifetime- "s/t"

5. Foo Fighters- "Echoes, Silence, Grace and Patience"

Due to the extreme increase in gas prices as we make our way west, we have talked about how we could come up with another solution to make this work. We are loosing money and it will get to the point where we will loose all of our money and have no way to get back east. We are in Chicago right now and just paid $4.75 for a gallon of gas.

That being said, Madison Project Acoustic Summer Tour 08 with The Nightbirds will end on Friday June 20th in Denver, Colorado. Sorry to cancel the shows, I was really looking forward to playing the west coast shows, but it just can't work.
The following shows have been canceled,
Salt Lake City, West Hollywood and Los Angeles.

Thanks to everyone who has come out to the shows this tour, it has been an amazing experience.

Sorry,
Ryan MacNeill (Madison Project)

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Mon Jun 16 2008 8:00P
Vaudeville Mews Des Moines, Iowa
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Tues Jun 17 2008 8:00P
The Riot Room Kansas City, Missouri
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Wed Jun 18 2008 8:00P
Jackpot Music Hall Lawrence, Kansas
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Thurs Jun 19 2008 8:00P
Sip and Spin Hays, Kansas
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Fri Jun 20 2008 8:00P
Old Curtis St Bar Denver, Colorado

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Ryan MacNeill of Madison Project - "I Am The Target- Acoustic Tour 2008"

Contact:
Rick Eberle
516-729-6872 cell
rick@popcore.net

Burlington, VT (May 29th, 2008) Ryan MacNeill of Madison Project will be supporting The NightBirds on tour with his "I Am The Target - Acoustic Tour 2008" starting June 7th at Mezzanote Lounge in Syracuse, NY and bringing him straight across country, further fueling the buzz being generated by this one of a kind performer. Ryan's acoustic tour comes at a great time, having recently been reviewed in AllMusicGuide, Aural Fix, TheCelebrityCafe, Good Times and other publications and coupled with on the heels of great success at college and major radio.

They are surely a band on the rise; the target for MP is rock immortality...and the time is now.

Here is the list of confirmed shows to date:

Upcoming Shows

Jun 6 2008 Vermont TBA

Jun 7 2008 Mezzanote Lounge Syracuse, New York
http://www.myspace.com/mezzanottelounge

Jun 8 2008 Club W Buffalo, New York
http://www.myspace.com/clubwbuffalo

Jun 9 2008 Mojo's Jamestown, New York
http://www.myspace.com/mojosjamestown

Jun 11 2008 Now That's Class Cleveland, Ohio
http://www.myspace.com/nowthatsclass

Jun 12 2008 Howards Club Bowling Green, Ohio
http://www.myspace.com/howardsclubh

Jun 14 2008 BRAUERHOUSE! Hillside, Illinois
http://www.myspace.com/brauerhouse

Jun 19 2008 Sip and Spin Hays, Kansas
http://www.sipnspin.com/

Jun 20 2008 Old Curtis St Bar Denver, Colorado
http://www.myspace.com/oldcurtisstbar

Jun 23 2008 Burts Tiki Lounge Salt Lake City, Utah
http://www.myspace.com/burtstikilounge

Jun 30 2008 On The Rox West Hollywood, California
http://www.myspace.com/ontheroxsunsetstrip


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For public relations requests or to set up interviews please contact:

Rick Eberle
PopCore Entertainment
516-729-6872 cell
rick@popcore.net

Album Review March 2008

The guys in Madison project give you fresh, energetic, modern rock with a dark but hook oriented twist. Their self-titled debut album not only solitifies their spot on the scene but gives them the ammunition they need to leave their mark. Coming from Vermont the guys knew they needed a powerful hook driven record, and that is exactly what they put out. Tracks like "Rock It" and "Fallen" set you up to be knocked down by the powerful vocals and guitars in "Masters Flying." Overal the band has a solid debut effort which should not only put them atop those in their hometown scene but atop those from around the country. Mike Ty – the daily chorus

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April 23, 2008- Madison Project - I Am the Target -
In their debut album, Madison Project presents I Am the Target, classic rock tinged with punk, tied up neatly with moving lyrics. Bandmates Ryan MacNeill on guitar and vocals, Forrest Thomas on drums and Ben Kogan on bass, combine their musical experiences and play on influences like Blink 182, NoFx, Bouncing Souls, Homegrown and The Vandals, creating a successful rock album. Madison Project shows their talent with tracks like "Sedation" and "Take It All," both passionate, almost frantic tracks with angry lyrics. However, Madison Project just keeps them in control, which adds to the overall rock groove they easily produce. Another excellent track is "Fallen," which opens with skilled guitar riffs, and the vocals are outstanding. The combination of the two with a simple chorus and strong backbeat serve to make "Fallen" one of the best tracks on the album. Madison Project falls slightly flat with "Burn It Down," which starts out with promise, but fails to get past its dragging pace. While I Am the Target has a couple of tracks that have the potential of being duds, like "Burn It Down," which could be more memorable if it weren't a ballad, other tracks, like "Sedation," stand out. Overall, the album is worth listening to once, especially if one is a fan of rock. Madison Project excels at up-tempo, punk-inspired rock tracks, but still hasn't found its feet with slower, ballad-type tracks. Reviewer: C.J. Trent- thecelebritycafe.com


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From artistdirect.com- All Music Guide Review (April 29, 2008)-
Burlington Vermont's rock & roll band, Madison Project, is certainly not the a capella group of the same name from James Madison University at Harrisburg, Virginia or the conservative Political Action Committee that also has the same moniker. What this Madison Project has is a powerful united front that explodes off the disc with the very first song, the under 3 minute "Rock It" that has a terrific sliding guitar riff and an unforgettable hook which might have some objectionable lyrics hidden in between the phrasing. Strongly superb hard pop that has no jangle, just a heavy rhythm that makes you want to crank it to eleven. The band clearly burns through the set list on this disc with ease, and though not everything is up to the level of "Rock It", "Frequent Destroyer" and "Fallen", it's still very good, consistent rock & roll that doesn't let up. "Revolution" could be the fourth image that follows John Lennon's trilogy from the White Album, only this "Revolution" extends beyond the bands usual territory into a funk-derived quasi-ska lecture.

"Burn It Down" is a heavy ballad that moves at its own slow pace, Ryan MacNeill's vocals appealing throught this disc while Frank Aversa's production cleanly captures all that's going on. Smartly packaged and efficiently performed the group shows much potential with an edge and material that combines clever ideas with a good time vibe. "Masters Flying" is another key moment with wild abandon and a solid catch phrase. Absolutely built for college stations, some of these songs are good enough to compete with any of the notable bands in the marketplace and could easily fit on commercial radio. Fact is, commercial radio would be the better for it if "Rock It" or "Frequent Destroyer" get the opportunity to dance on the airwaves. Much of I Am The Target is right on target. ~ Joe Viglione, All Music Guide

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No, this isn't the organization of the same name that raises money for candidates through a network of grassroots conservatives - heaven forbid. This is a stylish new act that's making news simply by delivering unpretentious rock with a decidedly pop bent. Highlights include the opener "Rock It" - quite a refreshing sentiment- as well as "Take It All" and "Burn It Down." This album sounds barely produced, and that's a compliment; what the world needs now is rock, sweet rock.
-Syl Nathan- Goodtimes Magazine (April 2008-Issue 988)
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By Mike SOS

When pop-punk decides to grow up, it should sound like Madison Project's I Am the Target, a wistful 10-track display of purposeful power chords with new found mature themes. This group keeps the backbeat of their boyhood booming and the pop sensibility in the forefront on "Take It All" and "Sedation," sounding like something from Butch Walker as translated via NOFX, while the fancy fretwork featured on "Faces" could have came from any of the mid-'80s hard rock explosion acts strengthened with a refrain straight from STP. With no shortage of hook happy tunes, "Burn it Down" takes a turn down Tom Petty lane and "The End" straddles the middle of the road like a well-versed bar band. The greatest achievement made on this album is Madison Project's ability to fan their raucous day's flames with a refined grace, giving their brand of rock songs a broader appeal than most. For more information, go to www.thundercreekrecords.com.