ONE DROP INTERVIEW
James Alger, vocalist/guitarist for San Diego's One Drop, has a lot to be happy about of late. The band has just released its first full-length album, Mission Blvd and it recently has had the opportunity to play some killer shows with the likes of SOJA and Rebelution. One Drop's star is certianly on the rise, a band as stated on its MySpace page, which 'embraces the California Beach Culture it emerges from.' Let the summertime roll...
The Pier: You just played a pretty big show recently with SOJA and Rebelution. How was that?
James: The show was great for us all and those who attended the “SOLD OUT” event in our hometown. We have a lot of respect for both SOJA and Rebelution and congratulate them on their current success. This wasn’t the first collaboration and certainly not the last either.
The Pier: What are some other favorite shows you have done?
James: That’s a tuff question to answer but we have had some very good times all over California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Mexico. Crowd participation and being “well received” by fans and fellow bands on the bill always leaves lasting good impressions on us.
The Pier: So how would you describe a One Drop show?
James: A One Drop show is a dance party for all walks of life. Whether you are a young high schooler, college student, a parent in your forty’s, from the ghetto from the hills, black, white, brown, yellow, green…It doesn’t matter. You will look around and see all walks of life dancing and smiling with one another. That’s something I’m personally proud of. Our music breaks boundaries and appeals to many…. There seems to be a surge of interest from the ladies too. Maybe they’re the reason why people come to our shows (haha).
The Pier: There are a lot of new reggae rock type bands out there at the moment. What do you think separates One Drop from them?
James: We certainly have our influences, but we don’t want to sound like anyone else and we make an effort not to. We feel strong about having our own identity. There are a lot of great bands out right now, but I think some things that make us a little different is our unique dynamics in our song arrangements and the unique story telling in the lyrics. There is a lot of structure to it then just the four of us “jammin away”. We understand and value “space” and “emptiness” and want our songs to feel like a movie or opera with tempo or ambient changes to provoke feelings of drama, suspense, romance, mystery, happiness etc. You can’t get that if everyone is just “rockin out” doing there own thing. You have to work together and play to each other’s parts.
Though reggae is our foundation we bring in elements from other genres too and sing about very personal experiences. Some topics are unconventional than other artists yet many can relate to it. This recipe with unique dynamics and lyrics is capturing the interest of listeners that may not be into traditional reggae or rock reggae.
The Pier: You must be excited to be finally releasing a full–length album (Mission Blvd)?
James: Yes, we are very excited. It’s been long over due for our friends/fans that have been very supportive after the release of our EP in March 07. We look forward to seeing how people respond.
The Pier: Why the album title Mission Blvd.?
James: Great question… We chose Mission Blvd. as a metaphor for a goal or objective. Completing the record itself was a challenging “Mission” for us.. balancing time and limited recources. You see, just like everyone else we have had our share of obstacles in our personal lives and as a group trying to succeed. We hope this CD will give listeners a little hope and motivation to fulfill their own “Mission.”
Also, Mission Blvd. is the main street that runs along the coast of one of our most popular beaches here in SAN DIEGO. It is a plug to where we live, shop, eat, surf, party, play and where our success as a group began…. performing at backyard parties to playing mainstream venues.
The Pier: How was this recording process different for this album than the EP?
James: Ummmm where do I begin…? It was a completely different process. We recorded the EP completely on our own with very limited tools (cheap mics, pre-amps and processors). We engineered, produced, mixed and mastered it ourselves with very little experience. In addition, we had no environmental control either as we were recording in my bedroom, Bart’s (Neglia) closet (as trains drove by) and other locations that had noises that we could not predict or control. With all that said..we are very still happy with the results. It came out exceptionally well, with all the circumstances and has sold thousands of copies, which allowed us to finance the production of Mission Blvd.
We started recording Mission Blvd. in August 07 (I think) at a studio in North County San Diego. The facility was lovely but we had some issues that ultimately resulted in the loss of some files (songs) and discrepancy in studio rates. So we decided to withdrawal from the location and start all over.
After visiting a few studios and meeting with a few producers we decided to recorded at Double Time Studios in El Cajon, CA with Jeff Forrest (producer/engineer/musician) who has a long list of notable credits including other San Diego acts, such as Blink-182 and Buck O Nine. Jeff had all the experience and tools/equipment we needed for our project. It was a great fit at the start as he was always positive and clearly understood and nourished our goals through-out the entire process.
The Pier: Do you have any memorable experiences from the recording?
James: Yes. A lot of good Quizno’s sandwiches and Rubio’s burritos. This was where we took many breaks and cleared our ears. But seriously…I guess most of the “memorable” experiences where just sharing stories in the mixing booth about funny or embarrassing situations we have been in (Jeff has met some random people and is a great story teller) or just talking about politics and current events. Many good laughs were shared.
The Pier: How is the song-writing process for you guys? Is it usually smooth sailing?
James: I usually start the song-writing process alone at home with some chord progressions, lyrics and vocal melodies (that usually come to me at night). From there Art (Gener) and I get together and we come up with bass-lines. In the meantime, Bart is kept in the loop and brings in complimentary guitar riffs and accents and John (Mobley) brings in many different drum patterns and tempos to experiment with. We are very diplomatic about things as we are all open for suggestions and bounce ideas off each other.
Most of the time its pretty smooth and easily achieved but there are a few songs we started only to table (do to creative hang ups) and finish several months later.
The Pier: What are your immediate touring plans?
James: We are currently inviting and entertaining tour offers to support the debut CD’s release but have yet to pin anything lucrative down. We have a tremendous/supportive fan base through out the US (and beyond) but the reality is we need to piggy-back with a more established national act to help finance a “big tour” (and increase our exposure). But we are not just going to sit around a wait either. We still find ways to get out and we encourage friends/fans to check in with us often as we add dates all the time.
The Pier: Typical Pier question, what is your favorite summer hang-out and destination?
James: Another good question. I’m going to attempt to answer this on my own with the goal to enlighten you readers about our hangouts an individual personalities and interests.
Bart - loves his North County (Carlsbad) roots. In the summer he is content with hanging out with friends, roommates and family playing beach sports and surfing his favorite break (ponto) near his home off PCH-101.
John - loves fine coffee and cigarettes (like no other) and he enjoys hanging out on the sea wall soaking up the sun or chatting it up at cafes in his “Ocean Beach” neighborhood.
Art – is “Mr. Mellow” and a hard worker that will drink you under the table (mostly beer). This summer I’m sure he will be seen at many outdoor music festivals and pubs along Garnet ave. (Pacific Beach). He also has planned a trip to Michigan where his younger sister will wed in July.
Me (James) - I love hanging out in my neighborhood in Pacific Beach. When we are home I'll be skateboarding or biking around the beach and bay or surfing north of Crystal Pier. I do have a trip planned to Antigua (Central America) to explore a rich culture and beautiful lands filled with Mayan ruins, Colonial architecture and volcanoes. I’ll be getting my party on but also attending school to improve my Spanish.
The Pier: Final crazy question, if One Drop was a movie that has already been made, which movie would best reflect what One Drop is about?
James: What???? Who comes up with this? Ummm. It would be a Gangster or Western film where the guy make a few mistakes, has a few set backs, gets laughed at and beat up but remains true and honest to himself. This honesty and spirit wins the respect of the masses to lead a victorious revolution to close the gaps between “the haves” and the “have-nots” (or soshes and greasers). A big party is held; justice is restored, every ones happy, then he rides off into the sunset with the girl (that previously denied him).
Haha, great answer, a huge thanks to James for taking his time to answer these questions.
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