Website:  www.themayanfactor.com

Q - Starting off... Can you each please state your name, age, what you
do in the band and nicknames if you have any?
A - Ray Ray - Vocal/acoustic guitar
Brian Scott - guitar/backup vocals
Kevin Baker - bass/backup vocals
Chuck Jacobs - percussion/backup vocals
Matt Toronto <Bronco> drums

Q - As a band, are all of the members more like a close-knit family or
just business associates with a similar goal?
A - We are definitely a family - brothers that believe in the common goal. We bitch and fight and disagree on things but we all have a tremendous amount of respect for each other.

Q - How did you decide on the name "The Mayan Factor"? Does it have a
special meaning?
A - The Mayan Factor is a book by Jose Arguellious. The idea behind the book is that there is one vibe throughout the universe that everyone and everything is part of. We put this music out with the hope that it taps into some kind of heartbeat that everyone can feel and be transported to a higher plane when they listen to it.

Q - I have noticed that you have incorporated a lot of Aztec or
Aboriginal artwork on your CD’s. Does this have any significance or
meaning?
A - The artist we have used for everything to date is named Eric Scheaffer. The band is very artsy and deliberate in the attention to detail in the music and Eric furthers that thought process with his art. The second CD especially tells a story about a time traveler who has already become enlightened. He is passing along all the knowledge in the universe <hanab ku> to a man who is ready to take the same journey.

Q - What music or artists have inspired you the most or influenced you
to do what you do today?
A - Everything, all music plays its part, but to name a few.....
Tool
A Perfect Circle
Harry Chapen
Bob Dillon
The Doors
Pink Floyd
Led Zepplin
Thievery Corporation
DJ Music
Tricky
Nirvana
Soundgarden
Stone Temple Pilots
Pearl Jam
Radiohead

We spend hours and hours and hours driving from Baltimore to New York, to Jersey, to Pittsburgh, to North Carolina, to Connecticut etc. heading back and forth to gigs and we listen and study every bit of music new and old in any style that we can get our hands on.

Q - How would you describe the relationship between the band and your
fans?
A - We consider our fans to be like family. I think everyone in the band is super approachable and loves conversation and opinions from anyone who cares to give it. We purposely throw "after parties" after all of the bigger shows we play so we can hang out with everyone and share a drink, a smoke, and discuss music, the meaning of life or whatever comes up until the sun rises. We had as many people show up to the CD release party, after party as did the actual CD release party.

Q - What music or artists are currently in your CD player?
A - Lots of local stuff -
Rezin
Hardhedz
Malvado

also bands like

Secret Machines
Audio Slave
Radiohead
Jet
Eminem
U2
Beck
Citizen Cope
etc.

Q - What bands would you recommend that everyone should hear but has
not gained the exposure that they deserve?
A - Rezin
Malvado
Hardhedz
Telesma
<all from Baltimore>
Rotoglow
Citizen Cope

Q - How would you describe your live shows?
A - The live shows are where we truly live. Of course we work hard to make our records but we get to really let it fly live. We don’t make set lists or have any real plan going into each show. It’s all about the vibe. The interaction with the crowd. Songs change from show to show and the set is usually very different each time with the exception of a certain few songs. The live shows are about being "in the moment"

Q - How would you say that your music and the band itself have evolved
from when the band first started?
A - We have defiantly grown up a little. We have played with each other long enough now that we can anticipate each others next move. We work smarter in practice and the studio by being to the point, and everyone has found a job in addition to playing and writing music - ie; mailing list, booking, flyers etc. Musically I think we are still on the same track. Music will tell you what comes next if you listen to it. The path that a song takes should not be decided by the "industry". When a part switches or a chorus kicks in or what the melody is, is decided by the music not by you or me or some record company if you want to be truly honest to it. I think we are all of the opinion that great music writes itself, you just have to tap into it.

Q - After your stunning debut CD “In Lake Ch” received critical
acclaim, did it put any pressure on the band to produce a sophomore CD
that was as good or better?
A - I don’t think we felt the pressure of trying to top ourselves on this album. See answer #10. These songs and this music all comes from the same place. The second album is only a continuation of what was started on the first as will be the case when we put out a 3rd album in relation to the second and the first.

Q - Tell me what inspired you guys to write "Terrorist"? Was it
inspired in anyway by the state of the United States since 9/11?
A - Ray brings most of the ideas in; he is a primary song writer in the band. Musically the song just rocked, lyrically it was explained that the song is more about the child with the bullet in his head - the death of innocence than the actual war or politics involved.

Q - Is the band trying to portray any kind of message with the music
and lyrics?
A - I’m sure Ray is trying to tell us all something with the words he writes but if you try and get an answer to the question about what his words mean, he will tell you that you should draw your own conclusions. He’s a deep motherfucker and he and the rest of this band believes in giving our audience credit for finding their own truth in this music and through this band. So many bands out there want to give you the answers for everything because they don’t think you have the capacity to think past a 3 minute pop song. Maybe a good message is to think for your self. Be honest with yourself. Be true to yourself and you can never be wrong.

Q - Many bands argue that mp3's aren't good for promotion and or
record sales. What is your stance on the digital music issue and
piracy?
A - It probably all comes around. If you burn it and you love it, maybe you tell a ton of people about it and they buy it. I think we should all practice that, sure go head, take it for a test run, but if you really like it, go buy the album. itunes is awesome. ipods are great. If the sound is a little less it makes up for it in how much you can carry with you. It’s pretty damn close anyway.

Q - Do you have any thoughts or advice for people trying to start up a
band or already have a young band?
A - Chemistry is 90% of the music you create. Don’t put up with anybody who is going to drag your band down and who does not have the same work ethic as the rest of the people involved. Talent can be gained through hard work - chemistry can not. If you all love and respect each other it will show through. I imagine that holds true for any relationship.

Q - Any last comments or shout-outs?
A - Shout out to our families, friends/fans and we want to say thank you for joining us on this journey. Let’s see where it takes us all.

Back