Interview with Take a Breath
Take a Breath is a Pittsburgh-area band that has been around for two years. Two members left then they gained two members in March. They are a “pop rock or pop punk” band, as put by guitarist Alex Christy. The band also includesJessie Rossi on vocals, Mike O’Malley on drums and Cody Villalpando on bass.
The night of their first headlining show, I met them outside after the show and interviewed them. Even if you haven’t heard of them, the band has its share of followers.
Tickets were sold out that night and the room was packed with people who couldn’t wait to hear them, mostly girls. Let’s face it; most bands want to target girls with their music. When asked what their songs were about Rossi said, “I’d hate to say girls, but girls.” Most of Take a Breath’s songs are about girls and relationships but he also said,”If there are situations in my life that bother me one way or another, they end up in a song.”
Each band member has a unique personality, which contributes to the band’s success, both on and off stage.
According to Rossi, “I’m the one that books the shows; Cody (Villalpando) adds a nice social aspect and always has a calm and cool head; Alex (Christy) is one of the sweetest kids and is always happy; and Mike (O’Malley) is a musical genius that the band probably wouldn’t be the same without.” With their plan to “take over the world” with their music, as Villalpando said, they will definitely need a variety of personalities to conquer.
The band has undergone some changes during its two years.
Rossi and O’Malley started Take a Breath. When the band started, O’Malley played guitar. Two of the original members left the band, and Christy and Villalpando joined. After that, Christy took over guitar, and O’Malley switched to drums.
When asked what O’Malley would play if he didn’t play drums, he said, “I would play guitar because it’s what I played before. I think playing guitar gives you a lot more freedom to interact with the crowd.”
They wanted to become a band because of other bands that inspired them. The band “All Time Low” and lyrics from their song, “Dear Maria, Count Me In,” inspired the name of the band. A lot of things changed from their members to their music, but according to O’Malley, this just “changes the flavor a little bit.” Their music is written mostly by Rossi and O’Malley. Christy added, “Mike (O’Malley) writes most of the music with Jessie (Rossi), but we all add our own little parts in.”
Performers all have different reasons of why they like being on stage. It may be the adrenaline rush, the crowd cheering or the fact so many people enjoy the performance.
When Villalpando was asked why he liked being on stage he simply said, “I don’t worry about anything. I just do my thing.”
Most local bands don’t get noticed or are noticed then forgotten, but, in my opinion, Take a Breath deserves to be noticed. If you’re interested in hearing their music, you can find their EP “Stories”on iTunes. You can also see them perform live at The Smiling Moose in Pittsburgh. If you’re interested in knowing more about them, follow them on Twitter, @TakeABreathBand.
If you take the time to find them, there is a 99.9 percent chance you won’t be disappointed.