http://www.accessallareas.net.au/artists/Town_Hall_Steps.php

AccessAllAreas.net.au: With a new album and already few singles currently doing well on the charts, are you guys at the happiest point now in your career?
Ryan: Yes, but at the same time the busiest..Doing this independently has been a great challenge for us but now we have seen the rewards I think it has made us very dedicated to see what the future brings for us.

AccessAllAreas.net.au: Is there a particular message that you hope listeners would take away from your new album?
Ryan: It’s a very heart filled album, each song represents a feeling or experience we have sheared during the time we were writing and recording this album.
We hope that any one who listens to it can connect with it in their own way as well.

AccessAllAreas.net.au: The songs on the new album sound dynamic, some more pop/rock and others have more electronic/dance beats. Which song stands out most to you?
Ryan: We all have different stand out songs between the 5 of us,The various styles on this album were all a natural progression for us, nothing was forced although some was a result of experimentation. But over all are all happy with the way every song on this album has turned out in the end.

AccessAllAreas.net.au: The song ‘Crisis’ features hip-hop artist, Torcha. What has inspired you guys to take on a hip-hop/rock sound?
Ryan: When we 1st wrote the music for this song almost 2 years ago, the idea of hip hop in the verses jumped out at us almost right away, about a year ago we met Torcha playing in his band ‘A broken silence’ the rest is history.

AccessAllAreas.net.au: ‘Disco’ and ‘Anywhere But Here’ feature more electronic/dance beats. Will the band continue with that style in the future?
Ryan: Yeah for sure, high energy electro pop/punk its still a bit part of what we want to do, it will not be leaving our set list any time soon.

AccessAllAreas.net.au: ‘The Direction’ stands out to me most, a little darker and the lyrics are interesting. Can you tell us more about this song?
Ryan: ‘The Direction’ is loosely based on the story and progression of the band and refers to experiences along the way. Listen closely you will see!

AccessAllAreas.net.au: The moment your new album was completed and when you played it back, was your reaction quite different from Breakdowns?
Ryan: When any band heres the final mixes of there new CD it is always exciting! We spent a year and a half recording this album so it was also as refreshing as it was exciting to have it completed!

AccessAllAreas.net.au: Was there more or less pressure to do well on the new album after the success you’ve had with Breakdowns?
Ryan: The exposure we had from breakdowns was amazing it seemed to bring us to a whole new level with a much bigger fan base, but I don’t think it brought more pressure into righting this album I think we were just so into writing this album were weren’t thinking about following up from breakdowns we were just exciting out brining out something new.

AccessAllAreas.net.au: In the video for ‘Disco’, it starts with you guys feeling nervous about going on stage. Does that happen in real life as well?
Ryan: Not any more, but if we had to play in a room full of girls in their underwear again I’m sure there would be a few butterflies!

AccessAllAreas.net.au: Which has been the most memorable gig you’ve had so far?
Ryan: I think we all have separate memorable gigs for different reasons but I guess playing the Sydney Ent Cent supporting Avril is something we would all look back on with great memories.

AccessAllAreas.net.au: You guys won the 2005 World Battle of the Bands. Can you take us back to that experience?
Ryan: It was help a great Sydney Venue called the Marquee (r.i.p), it went for weeks on end we got to the grand final and won. We flew all expenses paid to Hong Kong for a weekend played The World final which we didn’t win, but we had an amazing experience and something we are all proud we got to be a part of.

AccessAllAreas.net.au: You guys are taking your music to the US soon, what has inspired this move?
Ryan: This is something we have dreamt about doing for many years. We are happy with our new album and want to show case it to the US market. Although playing the Viper room & The Roxy in LA, Vegas and NYC will be a dream come true in its self.

AccessAllAreas.net.au: What do you guys hope to achieve in the next few years?
Ryan: That many people in Australia and people from other countries around the world will know our name and connect with at least one of our songs in some way.

Interview by Sandy Tan