Louisville.com is beginning a weekly series to introduce you to some of the players in the Louisville music scene. Join us every week to learn more about the local musicians who are putting Louisville on the musical map. Let’s start with one of the best, who you may know already: the Pass.
Meet the Pass. This four-piece group has been a part of the Louisville music scene since the release of their first EP, Colors, in 2010. Since then they have released 2 albums, 4 singles, and another EP. The Pass has played Forecastle in 2010 and 2013, Bunbury (in Cincinnati) last year, and nearly every venue in Louisville. The Pass is for fans of John Hughes movies, Passion Pit, Smallpools, and infectious dancing. But let’s hear more about the group from one of its members: bassist Will Roberts.
LC: Describe your music to someone who has never heard of you.
Will Roberts: “Synthesizer dance rock sex pop.”
LC: How did the band get together?
WR: “Kyle and I were kicking around some musical ideas and wanted to start a band. Then when we kind of had some material in place we recruited Brian and Neil because lets face it, they're awesome.”
LC: In what kind of environments do you write your own music best?
WR: “In my room or the studio. I probably haven't written anywhere else come to think about it. A park sounds nice.”
LC: What are some of the Pass’s influences?
WR: “We have been influenced by a lot of artists and things over the years. Michael Jackson, The Cure, Youtube videos about vintage synthesizers, DFA anything, food network...The list could get really long.”
LC: Your music is very easy to dance to. How do you come up with all those hooks?
WR: “Just trial and error.”
LC: What's one thing that could improve Louisville's music scene?
WR: “That’s a good question. It certainly has enough venues now. If anything that might be its only problem, that on any given night there could be too many things going on. But I don't know if that’s necessarily a problem.”
LC: Are you planning any big things for 2015?
WR: “We just signed with the Agency Group for booking so were working with them to travel to a lot of the country and play places we haven't been. Promote the High Road EP and some upcoming material we’re working on. We’re hoping to have a big release ready for late summer.”
LC: If we were to find the guys in The Pass at one local establishment where would that be?
WR: Jenny’s Kitchen. Its a lesser known joint.
Photos provided by The Pass.
