An Interview with "The Twilight"

What's The Twilight's future look like, to you? What are your plans?
We recently signed with Opus One, a music library. They do placements of songs on television shows, movies, using obscure indie bands, including Cobra Verde. Opus One will send out music samplers of different songs; if a producer needs, say, a happy, upbeat summer song, they’ll send it out for a fee. The music library works out whatever the payment will be. That’s the way many groups are making their money. Of course, bigger bands will make money from touring, but they’re even getting into music licensing. About six months ago I had the television on and heard this voice I recognized; it was a band from Grand Rapids that was a label-mate of ours in Kiddo and Target was using their song.

How does a band get signed by a music library?
Getting signed by a music library requires them thinking there’s some kind of market for it, like the music. We were told everyone there felt our music was something they could sell.

What's the musical history of the band, in terms of instrumentation?
I dabble in guitar, been teaching myself for awhile. Ryan plays drums. He'd been a drummer primarily and just picked up bass for this band. Tony plays multiple instruments: percussion, drums, guitar, piano, and he’s the singer. I really think he’s got a great voice, too. I wouldn’t be playing in this band if it wasn’t for their talent. I said a long time ago I’m only going to play with people I’m really inspired by and I like their style and talent. In my opinion, Tony is one of best songwriters I’ve ever played with. I had heard their music even before I joined and was really impressed with his writing, singing and guitar playing.

How did the name, "The Twilight" get chosen?
Before Ryan and I joined the band, I think Tony came up with "Orion and the Twilight." Tony later thought that name would make it look like he was Orion and the band was The Twilight. He didn't like that idea, so he just made it "The Twilight."

What about live performances? Do you see them expanding?
I can see us doing smaller tours throughout Ohio, maybe hit Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh. We did "Abbey Road on the River" last year, a Beatles festival usually held on Memorial Day Weekend. Last year it was in Louisville, where they hold it now every year. Not only did they have Beatles tribute bands, but they have original bands from all over the country, Beatles influence type bands. We did originals and Beatles covers the way we’d do them. We did “He Said, She Said’ and a few off Abbey Road. We also did a few off the White Album. We also did “I Will.”

The record came out in July and we’re still working it. We're still going to work it for awhile. We’re doing a little tiny tour this summer. Since we’re doing all this ourselves, it’s hard to do. We have jobs and our lives to take care of , and we try to do the band stuff in between. It’s a priority, but we have other priorities as well. We're still going to try to promote the band...as much as three non-promoters can promote, anyway. [laughs].