Soundcheck is a feature piece on today’s best artists opening up about their favourite things associated with music and somewhat random facts we need to know. With the alt pop quartet on tour in support of their upcoming EP for Chad Gilbert’s Violently Happy Records, CANDY HEARTS’ Mariel Loveland sheds light on her admiration for Taylor Swift and John K. Samson, eats at Waffle House and how the Descendents have written punk’s greatest love song.
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The First Concert I Ever Saw.
The first concert I really remember seeing was Destiny’s Child with Dream and Eve, but I’m positive I saw children’s concerts before then. I just don’t really remember.
The Last Song To Make Me Cry.
Taylor Swift’s “Never Grow Up”. It’s the only song that always makes me cry every single time and I avoid it. I just relate so much to what she says, particularly in this year of my life.
The One Band T-Shirt I Will Never Throw Away.
I will never ever throw away my Lemonheads’ It’s A Shame About Ray concert t-shirt. I got it when they did their last tour and played that record start to finish and it’s the coolest shirt. It has all the dates on the back – except for the one I went to for some reason – and the album art on the front.
My Dream Merch Table Item.
I quite like hoodies and crewnecks. That’s boring I guess but there’s a reason most bands make them. The stuffed animal The Wonder Years just made was really creative!
My Favourite Movie Soundtrack.
I feel like I really like certain horror movie soundtracks for the fact the score fits so perfectly with what’s going on. I really love the Insidious score because it feels like a vintage horror flick but it isn’t and that adds to how scary the film is. If we’re talking about soundtracks you can buy at Best Buy or something, I enjoy Jennifer’s Body. I like how it has that made-up band with that guy from The O.C. (Adam Brody) and I like Hayley Williams’ solo track “Teenagers”.
My Favourite Music Video.
I like the video for The Smashing Pumpkins’ “1979” and Lemuria’s latest video for “Pleaser”. I also really love the music video for R. Kelly & Usher’s “Same Girl” or the “Trapped In The Closet” series if that counts. I spent two weeks trying to watch the entirety of Trapped In The Closet” on IFC with Kris.
My Dream Music Collaboration.
Oh man. If John K. Sampson could write with the Gin Blossoms, Evan Dando and Taylor Swift??? Or even the Descendents? That would maybe be it. It’s insanely hard to say.
The Most Inspirational Punk Rock Album.
I think The Weakerthans’ Reconstruction Site or Left And Leaving are the most inspirational records to me if you consider those real punk albums. The lyrics on those records are the best lyrics ever written in my opinion and are universally relatable even if the stories are so specific. That’s what makes a good song to me.
My Favourite Punk Rock Love Song Of All-Time.
Descendents’ “Nothing With You” would be it. I mean is there anything more you could ask for in a relationship? That’s all I want! And I love watching My So-Called Life.
Best Post-Show Food.
The boys tease me because I’m kind of like a junk food/fast food garbage disposal. So I’d say Waffle House or anything that involves Mountain Dew.
What Book I’m Currently Reading.
I’m re-reading No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July. A friend told me once that I’d like it so I picked it up. I prefer reading collections of short stories on tour so I can pick them up and put them down easily and her writing style is similar to mine – like really introspective. I love it. I tried reading Juliana Hatfield’s biography on our last trip but she trashed my hometown in the first ten pages and complained about all the stuff I love about touring so I just got mad and didn’t get very far. I hope to finish that at some point because I’m a huge fan.
My Personal Role Model.
John K. Sampson or Taylor Swift. John K. because his lyrics are just so amazing and he notices these small things no on else really does. I love his melodies too and just always compare my songs to his. It’s an impossible standard! Taylor Swift would be one because she writes about real things and real people who hurt her and makes no apologies. Everyone knows what they’re about and while I might do that myself, I’m definitely afraid about it.
The One Song That Defines Who I Am.
This is the hardest question ever! Maybe “Aside” by the Weakerthans. I’m a pretty indecisive, lonely person a lot of the time and I feel like I’m finally all right with that and that’s what the song is about. Runners up would be the Gin Blossoms’ “Not Only Numb”, Ashlee Simpson’s “Better Off” and definitely The Weakerthans’ “Reunion Tour” because I lost everything and it really accurately describes touring.