"Local band, Cavalier, ranges from metal to jazz for upcoming first album"

By: Paige McDaniel

Darkening the doors of a storage shed, Auburn's very own Cavalier began with writing lines of melody, and tales of ex-girlfriends. Taking influences ranging across the spectrum, members of the local band describe their journey into the local music scene.

"We started this band half-way through college," says lead vocalist Stephen Lloyd, 21. "My art degree was a waste of $45,000, so we decided to have some fun instead."

Each of the members, excluding Sam Franklin, each graduated from college with an AA degree.
"We could have not gone to college and put out a few more albums, and I would have been better off," stated Lloyd.

Sam Franklin, who seems to be making more money than his fellow band members working for a "major grocery store chain", says simply:

"Do what you want in life, and if it happens to require an education, then go get it."

The style of Cavalier takes the affectionate sounds of acoustic guitar, full range vocals, technical bass lines and percussion, and energetic guitar riffs to create a "good blend between pop and indie." With bass player Chris "Chocolate Bear" Almeida's background in jazz choir, Jake Gosselin's knack in hardcore and acoustic, and Lloyd's love of punk-pop, the group never cease to incorporate a variety of musical tastes in each of their songs.

"You don't need distortion on every one of your guitar riffs. Every other band I've been with has done this, but now that I'm with Cavalier and we all know each other, we can do whatever we want," Lloyd explains.

Sam Franklin adds that "black eyeliner and swinging your guitar over your shoulders" is also not necessary.

Their confident attitude is illustrated in the bands EP "Your Honest Answer"- an album full of awkward moments, creative piano, and an overlaying beautiful vocal outlet. Featuring songs like "No One's Watching", a lyrical dance based on Lloyd's last relationship.

"I was hinting that I was going to break up with this girl for a month, and when we were at our company Christmas party, it was just really awkward. In the song, [breaking up] is related to dancing; the beginning lines state "Our pulses left us long ago and cadences are taking over.'"

This song, along with many others on the EP, closely examines heartbreak and faded memories that help make up the relatable character of Cavalier.

The band will be heading to Philadelphia on June 6 to begin recording their first full length album. Though many of the songs still remain on receipts, notebooks, and random pieces of paper, the 12 song requirement is proving a stretch for the band members.

"We're kinda cramming right now," shrieks Lloyd and Franklin.

Each of the band members will be quiting or taking the longest leave of absence possible in order to record the album. But when it really comes down to it, Stephen Lloyd claims:

"You don't have to listen to us or sing along. You don't have to do anything. We're doing whatever we want with the album, and whatever we want with our lives. Do what you want, because you are not going to be happy if you don't."

Cavalier's EP is available on Myspace at www.myspace.com/Cavalier, iTunes, and smartpunk.com.