antiMusic: How did you go about deciding on a release date for Ameritown? 

Josh Ostrander: It was actually between the two of us [band and label]. We finished the record last fall and that set us up for a perfect release Christmastime. We figured nobody buys records during Christmas unless they're U2 or Madonna, so we just figured we'd hold out. Then, we were going to do it in spring, but we wanted to get some more shows and tours just to get the name of the band out there a little bit more before the release. So we just picked July 17th. 

antiMusic: What are your goals as a band with this release?

Ostrander: You know…World Domination. We know the level we want to get at. We'd be psyched if we sold 20,000 or 30,000 records. We've toured with a lot of bands that have sold that amount, and they're able to pay their bills and have a great fan base. We're looking forward to the guerilla tactics of building it up from nothing. We set the bar very low, so we're always constantly, presently happy. 

antiMusic: Any airplay so far?

Ostrander: There's a station in Philly 88.5 XPN, which is the coolest station. They've been spinning us a lot the past month and a half. Some great response there. I'm getting feedback a couple LA stations like K-Rock, and they're about to add a couple songs. It's cool because different stations are giving different feedback about what songs are playing. They've been playing "The Box", and I think at K-Rock they're playing "To The Wind". It made the band feel that we wrote a good record. There are a couple different songs that can work in different markets.

antiMusic: You've been touring consistently and have some dates planned, but is a more extended tour to support your new release in the offing? If so, how is it shaping up to this point?

Ostrander: August is a dead month for touring. A lot of tours start up in September when school's back in. We have release shows in LA, Philly, and New York. Then we're going to take a couple weeks off just to regroup. Up until now we've been playing a Rock set, and we want to add some of our other tunes. We're setting everything thing up for September and looking forward to that.

antiMusic: Could you talk a little bit about your motivation for writing "The Box"? 

Ostrander: …A stream-of-consciousness. The song's about being in a situation you shouldn't be in, and staying in it too long. The idea came to me late one night at a bar. I should've left earlier, and the drinks aren't working. That's my thinking. 

antiMusic: Without knowing the connection, I immediately heard Latimer in songs like "Noah" (Ostrander remarks, "Awesome!") and "Single Sedative". Could you talk about your experiences in the Philly music scene, and how it influences your approach?

Ostrander: We played with Latimer once during a reunion. When I was 18, I started playing the Philly scene and seeing a lot of great bands. I was in a band called Ty Cobb. We played with everybody. Whenever a good band would come, we'd get on the bill. There were a lot of great bands in Philly at the time. Especially guitar-wise it really helped me. Those guys were all my heroes, 5-6 years older than me, and they really took me under their wings. It was great.

antiMusic: Ameritown has some tender and reflective moments like "Pitch a Fit" and "Some Sorta Light". They stand in stark contrast to other songs like "To The Wind". Given that the songs on this album can vary to such an extreme, what type of listeners do you expect Ameritown to attract?

Ostrander: That's something we've been trying to figure out. We don't know our demographic. I remember being 15 years old and hearing records that were diverse and hit all cylinders. The lyrics at times can be giving everything away. It's a tough situation to be in. At other times, like in "Noah", where the lyrics might come off kind of conceited or arrogant. My head…I'm all over the place. 

antiMusic: How does your new material come off live?

Ostrander: It's been great. Right now we're just doing opening slots. We get 30 minutes, so we're sticking to the Rock stuff. Get up there, make a point, and get off as quick as we can. We had to write (and record) this record really quick. Our time for rehearsing it was limited before we had to get on the road. We've been on the road since April, so it's 4 months of playing the songs and trying to flesh stuff out. Yesterday was the first practice in months because of the road. I know the sound in that room. I was blown away. We sound really good right now. It's a great feeling. 

antiMusic: Tell us about the biggest dive you've ever played.

Ostrander: How long you got? Worst show…Weirdest town…Eugene, Oregon. That was just a very, very weird town. I've never seen so many homeless before in my life. It was really sad. Any strange club in America, we've already played it twice. I don't want to call anybody out, but we're the kings of playing those clubs... [On an opposite note] The Khyber in Philadelphia are our stomping grounds. 

antiMusic: Does ECC have any pre-game rituals, superstitions, or approaches prior to a live show?

Ostrander: We tend to drink a lot before we play. I like to smoke a lot of cigarettes. We don't really talk about it. We just go up and do it. There is no hands-in kind of moment. I've never been so happy with a live show before in my life, though. I'm ecstatic.

antiMusic: Other than ECC, what is the best band in America right now?

Ostrander: I'm not even going to put myself on that list. The new Wilco record destroys me. Easily my favorite band going right now. To see a band that completely, constantly puts out great records just blows me away.

[We had a brief sports conversation, which I initiated, but my wife convinced me that I was stupid, nobody gives a crap about sports when reading such an interview.]

antiMusic: What is one topic you'd like to write a song about, but haven't yet?

Ostrander: I've pretty much hit everything I wanted to say. I kind of just bring things to where I'm at right now. I just recently moved out to LA and left everything behind. That was a big step. I think about that a lot. Political stuff…maybe the third record. [Laughs] I hate when bands try to pull that off, and they don't seem to know exactly what they're talking about.

antiMusic: Predict who will be President the next time ECC has a new album out.

Ostrander: I hope Obama's serving his second term. [Enjoy Ameritown all you can because it will be at least 5 years before a second term could possibly come.]

Patrick for antiMusic: Big thanks go out to the following for making this happen: Keavin Wiggins (antiMusic), Samantha Barnes (Filter Magazine), Suretone Records. Here are some links for Eastern Conference Champions: 

Official homepage

Preview and Purchase This CD Online

Myspace

Label

Filter Mag Contest (ends 8/14)

Look out for Patrick's Artist of the Month write up for the band. That will post on Aug 1st - ed
 

More articles for this artist

...end