December 5, 2014

October 2014

Five years ago Stereo Outcast was just a band with a dream, now they have a recording contract and more fans than they could have ever dreamed of having. They are four of the most humble band mates I have met in my travels. We met at the recording studio where they have set up camp for a few weeks. And we have an exclusive interview with this up and coming band on their recent successes, what their future plans are and if any of them are single.

Interviewer: I have to ask, where the name Stereo Outcast comes from.
Blaine Anderson (lead guitar and vocals): Actually it was sort of a collaboration process.
Derby Johnson (drummer and background vocals): Yeah, we sort of wanted it to be a cool name.
BA: I liked the idea of having stereo in the name.
Kyle Lewis (guitar, keyboards, background vocals): And I came up with the outcast part. We were sort of the outcasts in high school and college, so it just sort of made sense.

I: How did you all meet?
Maddie Scott (bass and background vocals): Kyle and I meet one another when we were quite young. We met Derby in high school.
DJ: And lastly we met our young fearless leader in college.

I: When did you know you wanted to be in a band together?
BA: Honestly it was by accident. I met Derby in one of the classes and he just asked if I wanted to come to jam with them.
KL: And jam he did. We had already talked about doing gigs together that night.

I: It sounds like you all hit it off quickly. Have any of you regretted your decision at one point?
All: No. (This was in unison and they all laughed.)
BA: Things have happened sure, but we are friends first and that is why I think we work so well together.

I: I hear two of you are more than friends as well.
MS: Kyle and I have been together for a bit.
KL: We got together in high school and just cant get rid of each other.
DJ: Its annoying how well they are together.

I: You two arent bothered by their romance at all?
BA: Why would we be? If they like each other and work together as well as they do, it shouldnt matter.

I: Relationships often put strains on bands, have any of your relationships put a strain on Stereo Outcast?
BA: I want to say no, but how could it not.
MS: I think when you are close as we are with one another, we want to make sure that feelings are being accounted for.
KL: We have had moments were we needed to look at one another and say stop it, but we have never thought of quitting the band because of it.

I: Before you were signed to your label, how different were your lives?
DJ: First off, it wasnt much different. I mean we had Blaines sister as our manager and she was not much different from our current manager.

I: Your sister?
BA: Yes, my sister Rachel who deserves a shout out because without her we would not be where we are.
KL: She sort of molded us into this band that we are now and couldnt be more grateful to her.

I: What happened to her now that she isnt your manager?
BA: School and her own dreams. She has dreams of being on Broadway, so look for her name in lights soon.

I: Now you have had fans following you for years, but you have so many new fans too. What is that like?
MS: We just act like our own dorky selves and somehow people like that. We like having movie marathons every week with our friends and when people hear about that they think we are the coolest people ever.
BA: Honestly though, we are just watching Star Wars over and over again like any other group of friends.
KL: I prefer when we watch Star Trek.
BA: That has caused some tension on our movie nights.

I: Your band has been quite involved in the LGTBQ community. How did that come about?
BA: Im gay. (They all laughed.) Seriously though its probably a major reason behind it all, among others. I dont advertise it as a banner when we play somewhere, but its just who I am.
KL: We love helping out people and we have been approached from many different campaigns.

I: The rest of the group doesnt seem fazed by it?
DJ: No. Never. Blaine is just like us. He just loves someone and nothing is wrong with that.

I: You all seem quite protective of him.
MS: Sometimes we get people asking us how we deal with the fact Blaine is gay and the truth is we dont. He has his own life and its not our choice. He has been in his own long term relationship and they are as much as a healthy couple as any other. Maybe even better.
BA: I love you guys!

I: Since one of you brought it up, I have to ask. Derby, are you single?
DJ: At the moment yes, but you never know.

I: Blaine?
BA: I have someone special in my life. We have been with one another through some wonderful and tough times. I dont want to brag or anything but he is awesome.

I: Where did you meet?
BA: My sister, they were friends in high school. Few summers ago, we took a road trip out to California and he came with us. I sort of fell hard during that trip and he helped me up by taking my hand. I havent let go of his hand since.
KL: Can you tell who the sap is in the group?

I: What is next for Stereo Outcast? Are you moving to California? Are you putting out an album soon?
KL: Overload!
MS: We actually love living in New York and hope to stay here as long as we can.
BA: New York is sort of our home and its the birthplace of our friendships. As for an album, well lets say we have been working hard on something great.
DJ: Basically yes.
BA: (Hit Derby on the back of the head.) Subtle, very subtle.

I: Your fans are anxious.
BA: We know that. We want to make sure our album shows who we are.
MS: It isnt easy when you have four voices that have their own opinions, but its getting there.
DJ: And if it happens to take another ten years, so be it.
KL: Hes kidding.
MS: We hope.
BA: Maybe not.

I: Any closing remarks?
MS: Eat chocolate, unless you are allergic then dont.
DJ: Dont do it even if they triple dog dare you.
KL: Never underestimate Yoshi on Smash Brothers.
BA: Believe love will come in the darkest of times.

"We are on the cover of Alternative Press!" Derby said holding up the magazine high in the air.

Blaine rolled his eyes, "And I am sure everyone in Central Park will want to know that."

"We are on the cover of Alternative Press Blaine," Derby jumped on a bench, "We need to celebrate!"

Kyle and Maddie came over holding one another hands, with Rachel and Kurt in tow reading the article. "We bought like six copies," Kyle laughed.

"I sent my dad out to get one, with Caroles help of course," Kurt said excitedly. He walked over and kissed Blaine on the cheek, "They were both excited for you."

"It is freezing outside," Rachel said wrapping her arms around herself.

"Winter in New York is not the same as it is in California," Derby said as he jumped down off the bench.

Blaine pulled on one of the tassels from his hat, "I think New York winters are what I love best."

"You just like to drink the hot cocoa and snuggle with your boyfriend," Derby gave him a look.

"Really?" Blaine asked. He picked up some snow and made a ball, he threw it directly at Derby who was looking at the article over Rachels shoulder.

"You are going to get it Anderson," Derby shouted.

"Bring it," Blaine said as he reached for some more snow.

Derby ran to chase Blaine, who took off in another direction. Maddie looked at Kurt and Kyle, "Oh my god, just go."

Kurt laughed as he ran off to help defend his boyfriend in the snowball fight. Kurt threw a snowball at Rachel, which made her join in and Maddie joined because she didnt want to be the only one not participating.

Soon they were all laughing and having fun. It didnt matter they were on the cover of a magazine, or that it took an extra month to get their article out. They were with one another and having fun, which was what they always wanted for one another.