CLOSE ENOUGH INTERVIEW
As of late, SoCal reggae hip hop band Close Enough has been making all the right kind of Noizes. The band's recently released debut album is certainly one of the freshest of the year with its seamless blend of reggae, hip hop and acoustic stylingz. Bassist and producer Justin Jones is here at The Pier to tell us all about it.
The Pier: So how did Close Enough get together?
Justin: Close Enough started out about five years ago as a Sublime/80’s/Top 40 cover band. We were called Wrong Ways back then and there were only three of us, Gabe Geiger (drums) Tony Jimenez (guitar/vocals) and myself (bass/vocals). After a few years we became Close Enough when we decided to step it up and get an additional guitarist and a keyboardist, Kamal Ramloui (guitars) and Kyle Armstrong (keys).
We quickly built a songlist of 80+ songs and were playing every weekend. We became really popular on the cover band circuit. After a few years though we wanted to take our talents and do something more original. We had always written originals, some together and some by ourselves. But we never took it that seriously, it was more of just a hobby. It was about a year ago when Ryan (NoNeedz) joined the band did the flame really start to spark and we got moving on Close Enough as an "originals" band.
The Pier: How and why did you choose to recruit MC NoNeedz for the band?
Justin: Well I found NoNeedz through Senseboardwear. I have been producing and mastering all of their compilations since 2002. NoNeedz has been coming into the studio for the past few compilations and working with me on his tracks. That’s how we got to know him. But it wasn’t until I wrote a collaboration song (One Day, from Diamonds in the Ruff feat LuLu and 1dabred from Bredrin Daddys) for one of the Sense Boardwear compilations did I realize how great NoNeedz would be in our band. When I heard NoNeedz over that reggae beat I was in shock. I knew that his sound mixed with ours would be a success. I talked to the rest of the guys an introduce the idea of having NoNeedz as our MC, I showed them the song and they were stoked on the idea.
The next time he was at the studio I had him MC over Sittin' Alone and the rest is history. NoNeedz agreed to join our band and give it a try and we started on the album Noize. I think that NoNeedz is a vital ingredient to the sound we have going. We all click really well.
The Pier: As main songwriter for Close Enough what are your main song-writing inspirations?
Justin: Well I wouldn’t say Im the main songwriter, everybody had a big part in this CD. The big part I played has to do with the fact that we wrote the album at my studio out of my home. For the album I wrote about 40 instrumentals and I mixed, mastered and did most of the production (dj scratching, drum drops, 808 ,special effect stuff). NoNeedz and Tony wrote most all the lyrics and melodies. We did a few songs as a team, and I wrote a couple hooks on the album. We all really brought our own talents and inspirations to the table to make the sound that your hearing today.
I know that we all enjoy writing upbeat happy music. We don’t like to talk to much about negative things, we definately don’t like to condone it. I think if I could come up with one answer that everybody would agree with, it would be; we wanted to write an album that would turn anyone's day around. Something that would make everybody feel good. Also something that people from all walks of life could enjoy.
The Pier: I understand you spent a lot of time recording this album at Paradigm Studios. With spending so much time on it, did the album turn out how you were expecting or better?
Justin: Well I would have to say better. This is the first time I got to work on one of my projects that was gonna be released. I spent so much time in that studio working on other peoples projects, and I could never really mix or master or produce the way I thought would best represent the music. It was their music so to make sure customers were happy they got the final say. Also not all bands could afford the time it takes to really get into the nit and gritty of it.
This time through I had the opportunity to mix the way I saw fit. If I wanted to add something, I would and then see what the band thought and I had the time to do that. Some songs have flipped a 180 from the way it first sounded and some sound exactly the way they did when we recorded it. Some songs I spent up to 30 hours of tracking, production, mixing and mastering and a few songs only got as few as eight hours. However, I would have to say that I am very proud of what we released.
The Pier: Do you have any interesting stories behind the writing or recording of any of the songs on Noize?
Justin: Actually I have kind of a funny story in the writing of the beat on the song Noize. Our drummer Gabe was over one night and I was teaching him to run some of the gear. I started to teach him how to program drum beats on my Triton keyboard/sequencer. I told him the best way to learn is to make a beat. So the first beat he happen to make was the one for Noize. I immediately said we need to finish this beat, so we kicked around some ideas and finished the instrumental.
The Pier: Now it is kind of interesting that you guys basically recorded the album before playing shows. It is usually the other way round. For example, the band gigs for a while raises enough funds to record an album etc. Tell us about that?
Justin: Well part of the reason a band needs money at first is to record the album, and since I have a studio we didn’t need to come out of pocket for that. We did however need money for duplication. Before we were an original band we were a cover band and we had a pretty large band account. We used to make anywhere from $400-$1000 a night. In fact we still go and play some cover shows whenever we need a little extra money.
The Pier: I saw you play at the Sense Boardwear Beach BBQ and even though it was a bit of a bummer the show got shut down early. It must be pretty cool to say you got shut down by the cops haha?
Justin: Yes and no. I think its funny that sometimes cops and authorities get so crazy over a band. Especially one that’s playing with a bunch of acoustic instruments. You know were out there having fun, that’s what we do it for. And as long as were not starting a riot that should be OK. We have been shutdown a lot over the past five years and I think any musician would say they have been dealing with it there whole life.
The Pier: Can we expect to see you play shows outside of your area anytime soon?
Justin: Yes, although we don’t have anything booked as of this moment. There is a lot of planning going on between us and our manager. As far as out of state goes there has only been talk of Phoenix and Tempe Az. We hope to be playing a few shows in San Diego, Long Beach, Huntington Beach and Santa Barbara Ca. I know we would love to get out and do a West Coast Tour, it's going to be a challenge getting everyone’s schedule lined-up though.
The Pier: Who would you like to play shows with that you haven't had the chance yet?
Justin: I have worked with a lot of bands from the Sense Boardwear album’s and Tony has had the opportunity to record a few bands also. We have made friends with a lot of bands so its kinda hard to think of them all, but of the top of my head I would have to say; Stone Senses, Rac Dub, The Bredrin Daddys, Ballyhoo! and Fayuca. Obviously we would love to play shows with say 311 and Gym Class Heroes, but I think that has more to do with the larger crowds.
The Pier: Do you have anything else coming up you wish to share?
Justin: We are kicking the idea around of making a music video this summer. We haven’t figured out what song yet, but we have got some prices and are figuring out what it's gonna take.
The Pier: As Noize is a perfect summertime album, what is your favorite summer hang-out?
Justin: I have two if that’s ok. On a hot day we like to get together at the pool, BBQ some steak and drink some beers and just shoot the shit as they say. And on the summer nights we like to drink some beer around the bonfire and jam on some acoustic guitars, congas, ukulele, shakers, melodica - it’s a blast. Good friends, good tunes, and maybe some good beer!!!
Thanks to Justin for taking the time to answer these questions. Make sure you check out the following link:
You can also buy Close Enough music RIGHT HERE!