If you’re wondering what the sound of “New Nashville” is, listen to the rockin’ tunes of local band, MODOC. Formed at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, the band moved to Nashville post-college where they’ve cultivated a fresh sound with melodic rock rhythms. ” Since their debut, self-titled album release in August 2013, MODOC has been hard at work in the studio on their second album with Brendan Benson of the Raconteurs. Vance Powell who has previously worked with other Nashville-based rock groups such as Kings of Leon and The White Stripes is mixing their upcoming single set to come out soon. Be sure to check MODOC out at Tennessee Brew Works this Saturday, June 6, for their second annual Block Party, where there will be live music, food and beer!
Why did you decide to move to Nashville after college?
We’re Midwest kids so New York City and L.A. seemed a little far I guess.
We moved here when band pages were becoming really popular, so finally people started to come on the Internet and find bands that they really loved. Every other band that we found that we started getting into and we really loved, they were all in Nashville.
And a lot of them weren’t big bands at the time. We were really into early Kings of Leon stuff, but then they weren’t anything really. They were here before people knew they were here.
What is your favorite part about Nashville so far after living here?
There’s shit to do. You know it’s not flat as a board. There’s scenery and nightlife.
How would you describe your sound to the listeners?
We like rock n’ roll, so that’s what we’re passionate about. Having fun and playing loud music. Our sound is a mash up of so many influences. It’s really hard to say what our sound is. It’s going to forever move forward. I think we’re always getting better, and it’s going to forever change. The heart of it is just rock n’ roll. It’s a highly melody base rock n rock that’s played probably ten times louder than it needs to be.If you’re wondering what the sound of “New Nashville” is, listen to the rockin’ tunes of local band, MODOC. Formed at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, the band moved to Nashville post-college where they’ve cultivated a fresh sound with melodic rock rhythms. Since their debut, self-titled album release in August 2013, MODOC has been hard at work in the studio on their second album with Brendan Benson of the Raconteurs. Vance Powell who has previously worked with other Nashville-based rock groups such as Kings of Leon and The White Stripes is mixing their upcoming single set to come out soon. Be sure to check MODOC out at Tennessee Brew Works this Saturday, June 6, for their second annual Block Party, where there will be live music, food and beer!
You’re playing at Tennessee Brew Works this Saturday for their 2nd annual block party sponsored by Lightning 100. Have you played at Brew Works before/what can fans look forward to for the show?
I heard really good things about last year. They can expect a really high-energy show with good beer.
Your last album was released almost 2 years ago; give us a little insight as to what you’ve been up to since then.
We’re in the studio literally today. We’ve been in the studio all week. So right now we’re recording our next release and quickly approaching being done with tracking. We’re doing it with Brendan Bensen in his studio.
What has it been like being in the studio with Brendan Benson of the Raconteaurs?
It’s amazing. Early on we couldn’t believe we’re working with someone we’ve been listening to for so long. He’s become a really good friend and a trusted partner. It’s been more fun than we expected.
Usually when you work with a producer you envy them for the people they have worked with. It’s not very often that you get to work with somebody where you’re envious of what that person themself has done. The coolest thing about it is not working with the guy who worked with the guy, but actually working with the man himself.
What can you tell us about your upcoming single mixed by Vance Powell?
We’re definitely excited. It’s moving forward in a completely new way for us. It’s definitely different. It’s pretty straightforward rock n roll. It’s all really cohesive—you can’t bank on hearing the same thing twice in a row. The whole thing just constantly evolves throughout the entire song from beginning to end, and I think that’s just what the entire experience has been with Benson so far. It’s definitely not boring!
What advice can you give to young bands in Nashville who are trying to make it in town?
If you are going to move here, especially now that everybody else is moving here, plan on staying. It’s a career. I think too many people come down and think they want to get signed and do all these big things, and it’s possible. Chances are it’s going to take time though. It’s a matter of staying at it.
Stay true to who you want to be as a band. I think we’ve been pretty consistent on sticking to our guns. We’ve been called everything from contrived to amazing, so we’re just going to do what we do.
It benefitted us to move here because the music industry is impeccable. The people we meet in the industry are the people you want to stick around for a while, because you’re going to need them. It’s important to be friends with other bands and people like that.
What is the end-all-be-all for you? Why are you doing this?
We just love playing music. Our plan is to do it as a career. If we make a million bucks, great, but if not we’re still going to be playing music and have fun doing it. Hopefully somebody else can get something out of what we’re doing. I think the future is very bright for this group.
By MEGHAN LITTLE
