www.facebook.com/wakeupparadise
From: New Jersey
Sounds like: Rock
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name "Wake Up Paradise" and is there any meaning behind it?
We are all friends from our high school days and have played in a few bands in various genres together over the years. We've developed our sound from playing in heavier bands with songs that hit hard but have always appreciated those catchier melodies and more dance-type beats. We think we've found a sound that hits hard for those old school metal heads but satisfies the appetite of those more mainstreams listeners who prefer a more pop-oriented sound.
The name “Wake Up Paradise” came from our originally proposed name “Ashes Over Paradise”. However, we felt the “ashes” part made us sound like a metal core band. Finally, our original bassist, Lou Acerra, thought of “Wake Up Paradise”. We like to think of the band name as a calling to get people back into the positivity mindset It represents our desire to do what we can to help pull this paradise of a planet together and forget about the things that separate us and focus more on what brings us together and music is something that is capable of doing that.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
We just want our music to be something people can listen to put them in a better mood, or to jam out to on the way home from work. Something to tap your toe to. Something to bang your head to. Something to sing along to. No gimmicks. No deep message. We just want people to have fun.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
There are so many genres and sub-genres now, but we just like to think of ourselves as a rock band. We've grown up listening to so many different types of artists and bands from post-hardcore to hip-hop/RnB. We're part of the generation that was born in the 80's, grew up in the 90's and started creating in the early 00's and we think our music reflects that. You might notice something resembling Incubus in song and then hear a little touch of Closure in Moscow in another song.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Holding Absence. Don Broco. Incubus.
5. How has Covid affected what you do as a band?
Ironically, covid kind of made us get back together as a band in the first place. We actually hadn't been a band for almost five years but, as things were locked down, Tim (lead singer), who works in the large events industry, was forced to move back in with his parents and go on unemployment. So, he found himself with a lot of time on his hands. Meanwhile, Roger and Sal also had an itch to make some more music and do something positive during those uncertain times, so we added our newest members, Dann and Max to the mix and got the band back together. Aside from the hassle of playing live shows these days, we've just been trying to release a new song every month and spread the word, grow our fanbase and create some kind of demand, that way when shows are in full force, we can have some decent sized crowds.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Rock?
There is definitely an appetite for more Rock these days. With mainstream artists like MGK and Willow doing Punk/Rock albums, the demand for the genre is very much alive. However, the mainstream radios stations still need to take more risks and get back in the business of discovering and putting on new artists.
7. What’s the current music scene like locally there in New Jersey?
Before starting the band back up, Tim and Roger started a podcast called, Good Tunes, and interviews a slew of local NJ artists/bands and have learned a lot about the new bands coming up and there are a lot of NJ bands that are working very hard and making great strides. Which is great to see because if one of us eats than we all eat.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
Obviously, we believe artists should be paid fairly and should benefit the most from any financial transaction involving their art. We've seen what happens when record labels don't treat their artists right. Artists went somewhere else. Hopefully, streaming services won't kill their own industry and force artists to find another solution to unfair royalty practices.
9. What’s next for Wake Up Paradise?
We still plan on releasing a new song each month with accompanying music videos. We plan on playing live shows in the tri-state area in Spring/Summer 2022.
10. Any shoutouts?
Goonlord.
