Talking With the Latest Big Thing: Walk Off The Earth

What started off as a crazy idea has turned everything upside down for the members of Walk Off The Earth. One interesting YouTube video has made this hard working Canadien band into a huge sensation. Doing a cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know,” while all playing the same instrument has generated over 50 million views. Combine that with a performance on Ellen Degeneres’ national talk show and the band now has over 254,000 followers on Facebook.

This band isn’t just about the gimmick though. You will find some extremely creative stuff using a loop machine if you search on the video site, but this band has talent to back up the hype. Check out one of their recent original tracks and you will see for yourself.

I had the opportunity to talk with the latest buzz band and here is what they had to say:

IMR: Everybody is talking about THE video and performance on the Ellen Show. You truly caught lightning in a bottle. What are you doing now to take advantage of the new-found attention?

SARAH: We are working harder than we ever have before. It’s funny, a lot of our friends keep calling us and saying “Let’s party and celebrate!” Our response is “We can’t! If there is any time we need our brains to be working at their best, it is right now. We need to be on it more than ever.”

IMR: For those of us unfamiliar with the band, where did you come from and how did you all come together?

GIANNI: The band started on amisty autumn morning. It was cold and colourful out. I was working since the night before in my studio as I tend to do from time to time, and suddenly POOF!!!!! There was an explosion and Marshall appeared before my eyes. From that day forth we started playing music. We picked Sarah up one day from the side of the highway. She was hitchhiking. We saw she had a guitar so we told her we would give her a ride if she sang the whole time. She did, and was so amazing! So so amazing! Then a year later Taylor and Joel were dropped into our laps. Now, we’re a band.

IMR: I’m sure everybody has hounded you with questions about a creative cover, but you guys are extremely talented in your own right. A scan of the different YouTube videos and Bandcamp tracks show you as a very eclectic group. You are all over the place in terms of style. How would you describe the “Walk off the Earth” sound and where do you think your sweet spot is?

SARAH: We have a passion and drive that’s stronger than we can handle most the time. Overall, our sweet spot is in our hearts. We make music from what we love and how we love it. That’s kind of how it works out I think.

IMR: Are there any plans to tour and promote the new album, now that you have this great buzz? Where can we find you live?

SARAH: OF COURSE! Fucking right! We’re working on the album right now and it will be out in a few months. Everything is happening really fast but it’s good because that’s when we work the best. We will have a ton of shows all over the place soon. Very very soon! Once the album comes out we want to take over the world!

IMR: What is a live WOTE show like?

SARAH: Picture this. Epic! haha. No, seriously, we pride on our live show. It is super important to us to have the best time ever all the time no matter what so having good energy live is a big part of that. Otherwise we would still be selling toilets. Our fans are a HUGE part of who we are and we always want them involved in the show. If someone isn’t dancing, I will go out there and make them! haha. We dance around like idiots and kick stuff and throw shit at each other.

IMR: Before all of this buzz, I’m sure you had a dream of where this band could go. What was that dream and how has it changed?

SARAH: When I started hanging out with Gianni we talked about making the best band ever. He said to me “Sar, we have to make the best band in the world.” So then we all
started working harder than ever and making as many videos as possible. I guess
this year might be the year that people start to really recognize the hard work and I think we might be on our way to something close to our initial convo.

IMR: What would you like to say to all the fans that have supported you before you went on a national daytime talk show?

SARAH: We love our fans and friends and family so much. Anyone who believed in us from the start obviously holds a very special place in our hearts. They stuck by us and had it in them to keep us going. They rule!

IMR: You state in your FB profile that you are “one of the only ‘truly’ independent bands in the music industry today.” What does being independent mean to you as artists and what can you say to other bands who are struggling to make their name in this industry?

SARAH: “Independent” means don’t waste your time searching and trying to impress a label that doesn’t give a shit about you. Don’t try and get in the eyes of people that will never ever care about anything except making money off of you. Start you own thing. Use social media and be resourceful! It IS possible to make it without the backing of anyone aside from other people who want to work hard. But you have to WORK you ass off! Really, nothing comes out of being lazy and complaining. Once you get to a point where people are interested it gives you the upper hand to decide who you want to work with and how. WAY better feeling!

IMR: Now that the viral video has created this “mystery bearded guy” persona, will he ever be allowed to speak again?

SARAH: SHHHHH! We never speak of Beard Guy. He is listening…he is always listening.

IMR: You’re standing on a sinking ship with one life boat left…there are five of you and only space for four. Who makes it in the boat?

SARAH: We all do. We shared one guitar…we can share a dingy.

Creativity, talent, a sense of humor, the drive to work hard and the humbleness to know that their fans are who made them what they are. Those are wonderful characteristics in a
band. We wish you all the best of luck!!!