An interview with Guitarist, Joel Schneider and drummer, Ethan Jacobson of My Goodness, a thoroughly rocking new band out of Seattle. Hi. We just got back from Slackfest a couple days ago. It’s a great relatively new festival up in the north part of WashingtonState. It was a blast!

 



How the devil are you today? Where are you and what's the view from the nearest window?

We are doing great! Currently we are enjoying lunch at a small Mexican diner in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of
Seattle; watching all the beautiful people walk by on Pike Street....nothing quite like Seattle on a sunny day.

Debut Album un
der your belt, ready to conquer the music world

Hah. Our album just came out a few months ago so we are still new to everything coming our way with this project. Definitely taking baby steps and hoping for the best.

There are going to be obvious comparisons ma
de between your music and say Bands like, The Black Keys, White Stripes etc. How do you feel your sound differs?

Well......We feel most of these comparisons come from the fact that we are a "duo" that plays blues driven rock. We are huge fans of both bands, but never really had either in mind as an influence when we started. We have a little more of a heavier influence to our music that I think sets us apart. It might have something to do with the city we grew up in. That being said, we really just try and play music that feels good to us and most importantly is fun to play. If that ends up sounding somewhat sonically similar to another band, then that just happens.
 


How did you both come to choose music as a career and where there other options seriously consi
dered?

So far it’s not really a paying career for either of us, although it's a goal of ours that it one day will be. Currently we both work bartending gigs when we can. Both Ethan and I have played some form of music for the majority of our lives and this is something we love doing above anything else. I think music keeps us both sane.

Can we expect you this si
de of the pond any time soon?

Hopefully! I believe there might be something in the works right now that might get us over to the
UK in the relatively near future. Can't really touch on it more than that though. Ethan has never been across the Atlantic, I stayed in
East Putney for about a week when I was a teenager. I would absolutely love to get back over there in a touring capacity! We both are keeping our fingers crossed that it happens soon!

What attracted you to the Sarathan label and how important do you think it is to have a label rather than go it alone?

The biggest thing that attracted us to Sarathan was their excitement and enthusiasm about really working with us. It’s been nice since they have been right with us each step of the way. Most of this is still a learning experience for Ethan and I, so it has been great having that kind of attention and commitment. Having a label has really helped us start to expand our audience outsi
de of Seattle. I would say the hardest thing about releasing an album independently is getting your music heard beyond your home city.

Have your home towns influenced your music?

Absolutely, music is a huge part of
Seattle. Growing up we had all the grunge bands on heavy rotation on the majority of Seattle stations. Even as a kid you couldn't escape hearing it constantly. Later in our teen years we had a great hardcore/metal scene in town. We were both super into bands like Botch, Karp, MurderCity Devils, Harkonen, Blood Brothers, etc. I think that has influenced our music more than anything. Although our music has a bluesy tinge to it, keeping it somewhat heavy kind of comes naturally to me. I always find myself almost subconsciously wanting to make songs har
der and faster. It’s just more fun that way.

What is your preference, The Concert Hall, Festival Stage or the Studio?

Festival stage hands down. There is something about the outdoors that gives you a sense of freedom while playing. You’re also more prone to mingling with other musicians and fans. Festivals are just more of a party.....and we might like to enjoy a party once and a while.


Any particular bands, artists or producers you would particularly like to work with in the years ahead?

hmmmm.... Prince!

If you were given the choice of one album from your parent's record collection, what would it be?

Music was not a huge part of our families growing up. I had very conservative parents and Ethan’s father is
deaf. I did steal a copy of Led Zeppelin III and Steppenwolf's greatest hits out of my friend’s dad's car when I was a kid. I was obsessed with that "Magic Carpet Ride" song.

 

Band

Label

Review