Copeland

We have been touring pretty heavily since the record came out. We did some headlining runs as well as some supporting for Switchfoot and the Goo Goo Dolls.

Did I read correctly that you guys have been clocking up in excess of 300 live shows a year since 2003?

In ’03 and ’04 we definitely clocked in that many a year. I’d say we do about 250 a year currently.

A lot of bands would burn out with such a hectic schedule but Copeland seem to thrive on it – what keeps you motivated (both personally and as a band) to stay on the road for such long stretches?

Trying to avoid burn out is definitely one of the hardest parts of touring. We do what we can to make touring easier on us and on our relationships back home. Staying close with families and friends definitely helps keep things together. On a music level, releasing albums is what keeps things fresh for us. Having new songs and coming up with new ways to present our material live definitely keeps us motivated to continue performing.

For a band to stay on tour for such an extended period of time, you must have an amazing connection with your fans?

Our fans mean the world to us. We do what we can to continue to feel as close to them as we have since the beginning.

Now that you’ve signed to Columbia Records, do you think it will be hard to maintain the same kind of relationship with your long term fan base?

It might take some different approaches, but I think bands can still stay close to their fan base even when they are on a larger playing field which major labels usually bring. I can’t imagine losing touch with our fan base.

Were “The Militia Group” supportive of your move to Columbia Records?

I believe so. They have always been supportive of our music and where we want to go.

Given that “Eat, Sleep, Repeat” has only been on the shelves for 7 months, when are you guys planning on hitting the studio to start work on your next record (and debut for Columbia)?

We don’t have a solid timeframe, but we will definitely write our next record this year, and possibly be in the studio as early as late fall.

Boomtown Records are re-releasing “In Motion” in time for your Australian tour with Anberlin. The record will also come with a bonus disc of covers (which was originally released in the US under the title “Know Nothing Stays The Same”). How did this release come about?

I guess the guys over at Boomtown approached The Militia Group about the record. They seem like great guys and I am excited to meet everyone.

Having a local release in Australia is obviously going to increase your profile – can we expect a headline tour from Copeland at some stage?

We are all very excited about this upcoming Australia tour. Hopefully it will be the first of many..

Have the Anberlin guys told you much about what you should expect from Australian audiences?

They haven’t actually. I will have to have some talks with them soon so I know what to expect. :)

And what should Australian audiences be expecting from Copeland?

Expect to have fun with us. We love to play for people who are as passionate about music as we are.

Your Japanese/Australian tour wraps up mid June – where to from there?

After that we will be taking a little time off to rest and to start writing some new songs.

What are your favourite records of 2007 (so far)?

Lately I’ve been listening to new albums by Travis, Amy Winehouse, and Andrew Bird.

Best movie you’ve seen this year?

Even though it came out in late ’06, Children of Men is the best movie I’ve seen so far this year.

Most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you on stage?

I’ve never had anything oddly embarrassing happen to me on stage. My problems usually lie in equipment breaking in the middle of a song. It’s quite nerve racking to have a guitar pedal just stop working, especially when you don’t know which one it is. I get flustered easily.

Any final words?

Australia. June. Come say hi to us.