Hailing from Buffalo, New York I Can See Mountains have quietly been making a name for themselves in their short time together. Their latest release ‘Hope You Never Get It’ is a bold, thriving collection of indie punk rock that quickly leaves an impression.
With a sound that resembles early Taking Back Sunday and Brand New, the quintet take that rawness and combine it with their influences; Algernon Cadwallader, The Get Up Kids, and Saves The Day. The final result comes from a band who are self-assured with instant hooks and emotive lyrics.
Already Heard caught up with I Can See Mountains to find out about their origins, the new record, being compared to Taking Back Sunday and Brand New, and more.
Already Heard: First of all can you state your name and role in I Can See Mountains?
I Can See Mountains: Robbie Grabowski: Drums
Justin Tartick: Guitar / Vocals
Kevin Hoffman: Vocals
Kyle Kwiatkowski: Bass / Vocals
Matt Cox: Guitar / Vocals
AH: For those have yet to hear, how would you describe your sound?
ICSM: Punk rock with a flare of the emotional side that makes our favorite bands worth listening to. We try to be real and raw in our songs that hopefully carries over into our live performance.
AH: Could you tell us a brief history of the band?
ICSM: The band formed over the summer of 2011, after previous frustrations with other projects and people became too much of a hassle to deal with. We wanted a place where we could bring fresh ideas free from any certain style or sound stipulations and simply jam.
AH: Are there any bands in particular you are influenced by?
ICSM: Bands like Algernon Cadwallader, The Get Up Kids, and Saves The Day have been the major influences for the most part. Algernon Cadwallader showed us that everything does not have to fit to a specific script to strike a chord with an audience.
<a href=“http://icanseemountains.bandcamp.com/album/hope-you-never-get-it” data-mce-href=“http://icanseemountains.bandcamp.com/album/hope-you-never-get-it”>Hope You Never Get It by I Can See Mountains</a>
AH: Why should people listen to I Can See Mountains?
ICSM: Because we will continue to put our heart and soul on the line every single time we take the stage. We are here to not only be a band but to help our fans, friends, and listeners out in any way they need it.
AH: Your latest record in titled ‘Hope You Never Get It,’ what should new fans know about the record?
ICSM: We recorded our debut EP live at GCR Audio in Buffalo, New York with Jay Zubricky over a three-day period in September 2011. We recorded the entire album live in a giant wooden room owned by Robbie Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls, and I think the opportunity to do it live adds a more personal touch as opposed to recording each track separately.
AH: The record has seen your sound been compared to the earlier releases from Brand New and Taking Back Sunday. What are your thoughts on this?
ICSM: Although it was unintentional we couldn’t be happier to be mentioned alongside bands of that magnitude. We cut our musical teeth on the music of those bands growing up.
AH: How did the record come together? What is it’s influenced by?
ICSM: It’s influenced by the notion that a human being should be doing what they love, or at least striving to reach that point at all times.
AH: You worked with Jay Zubricky on the record. What did he add to the songs on the record?
ICSM: Not only is Jay one of the finest producers on this side of the Mississippi, but he is also a close personal friend and he was not afraid to give us his honest opinion and we feel it really showed throughout the recording.
AH: With New York’s wide cultural history, what is the current state of the punk rock scene in Buffalo?
ICSM: After years spent spouting pop bands and metal projects, the Buffalo punk rock scene is now just finally starting to come together. We feel that there is now a good base of bands in the scene, that are willing to help each other out. We view the scene as a sort of brotherhood, where everyone can come together and enjoy the same things.
AH: With such a positive start to 2012, what does I Can See Mountains have planned in foreseeable future?
ICSM: We plan to play as many shows as possible to as many people as possible. We have plans to take this band to the furthest possible point, and refuse to stop until we get there. We look forward to playing the songs from our album and a few new ones at the upcoming shows, with tentative plans to record somewhere in the middle of the year.
AH: Is there anything else we should know about I Can See Mountains?
ICSM: We’re here for you, whether it be someone to talk to or some life advice when you’re feeling lost, we will always try our best to give back to the people that make this band worth doing. We are always willing to talk.
AH: Do you have any final words to close the interview with?
ICSM: Do what makes you happy and the pieces always seem to fall into place. Keep pressing on and don’t give up. Listen to Young English and Pentimento while you’re at it. Thank you for having us.
‘Hope You Never Get It’ by I Can See Mountains is available now on iTunes.
I Can See Mountains links: Facebook|Tumblr|Bandcamp|Big Cartel
Words by Sean Reid