In Session: simplemachine

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Waiting in the wings of post-production, simplemachine is gearing up for the unveiling of their latest tune, “Ones and Zeros.” A testament to the power of the collaborative effort comprised of David Tyo and John Durden, the duo’s latest track is set to have a stunning amount of local guest singers and musicians featured on the recording. With 19 singers already recorded, it’s not only an exciting release, but one that helps demonstrate just how much talent is found within the confines of the Capital Region.

I had a chance to sit down with John and David this past week to discuss the band and the upcoming release. What follows is our conversation.

Lucas Garrett: David and John, thank you for sitting down tonight. How the hell are you?

John Durden: Doing real good.

David Tyo: Having a good night.

LG: Tell us a bit about the band?

DT: We were hanging out about a year ago – maybe a little less. I was showing John some things I was doing. He wanted to write some words to it. That became our first song; I call it an accident. We accidentally formed a band! We enjoyed doing that one and kept going.

LG: The name, simplemachine, is interesting to me. Is there a story behind that?

JD: Yeah, simplemachine was basically my idea. I was living in Oregon before this band started. While I was out there, toward the end of my time, I started writing music for myself… it wasn’t even meant to release. I called that project simplemachine. I’ve always liked the way it sounds and what it can represent or imply. I was calling my own originals that, so when we were looking for a name for this collaboration, it was fresh on my mind. I threw it out there, and I also think it fits.

LG: When did the two of you meet?

DT: I think it was 1994, and I believe we were both in seventh grade. The first time we played together was March of 1994 – I have the cassette tape of this little jam we did.

LG: Correct me if I’m wrong, but you haven’t played out as simplemachine?

DT: That is true.

LG: What’s the hold up?

JD: Speaking for both of us, this was never intended to be a band. It was intended to be a songwriting and production collaboration. It was never intended to be performed live by anybody, let alone us. If it ever made sense to try and do it live, we could think about that.

LG: I hear you have new material in the works?

DT: Yes, we do! It’s probably going to be released within the next few weeks. It’s called “Ones and Zeros.” Perhaps the most unique thing about this particular release is the number of people on it. We have 19 singers on it, and a couple more to go. It’s a big production; it’s a Broadway song, straight up. We tried to hit the bullseye on what sounds like a Broadway musical. That involves a cast ensemble of singers: Mark Petronis; David Rockower, also known as, “The Duke Western”; Eric Van Hall; Art and Shawna LaFleur; Steve Candlen; Marshall Van Buren; Abby Stone; Ben Zoleski; Ukrainian solo artist and founding member of Zvook, Roman Karpishka; Alexandra Chouinard; Bill Williams; James Mullen; Madison Lewis; Mary and Ella Daikos; Kristen Natoli; Jeslyn Bell; Alec Lewis.

LG: With only 19 singers, I bet you could fit at least another dozen on there!

JD: Sure!

LG: When I’m working on songs, anything over 60 individual tracks, I’m like “No, thank you.” How do you handle all those tracks, Dave? How long has it taken you?

DT: That’s a great question. The first half of the question, from a mixing standpoint, is to simplify it through grouping things together, basically. When it comes to mixing the song, when I get to the [vocals] in the process, I’ll take the ensemble of singers and have them show up on one fader. I think of it as one thing. Time so far in this session…

JD: I’ve been in the studio for 8 or 9 hours, and for Dave, it’s probably some exponent of that.

DT: I’ve spent a bit more time in this case: getting everybody in here singing, a 12-piece brass section… there’s a lot of other components. It’s quite a bit different than the first three songs.

LG: What do the two of you play on it?

JD: I’m playing bass guitar, piano, some of the lead vocals and harmonies. Dave is singing part of the lead as well, and harmonies, playing drums, various keyboards and programming.

LG: Who are your creative influences as songwriters?

JD: On this song or in general?

LG: However you’d like to answer it!

DT: The first one that came to mind is John Popper of Blues Traveler. With this song, in particular, even though it’s Broadway style, the way the lyrics are biting and specific… stylistically, he’s like that. Not that I wrote the lyrics – John did.

JD: In general, songwriting influences for me are: Billy Joel; Elton John; John Popper. People that use lyrics very intelligently. One of the things that I grew up on was Broadway – my father liked musicals. I’ve got that in my DNA, too. Some of my favorite musicals are Les Miserables and Sweeney Todd.

LG: What’s your favorite musical, Dave?

DT: I just saw The Book of Mormon on Broadway. That was pretty spectacular. I’m not sure I’d call it my favorite, but it was definitely the first one that came to mind.

LG: We’ve talked about classic songwriters, and having a hundred tracks or more on this one song. Before, some of those seminal, classic writers didn’t have that many. Now, anyone with a laptop and a couple hundred bucks can throw together something with an amazing amount of tracks. Do you feel that the ability to endlessly add on whatever you want is a good thing or a bad thing for music?

DT: That’s a great question. I feel it’s a good thing we have the tools available to just about everybody, and I think it’s a good thing that it democratizes the process. The fact with a few hundred bucks, as you said, to do the work… I think that’s wonderful. I think it does definitely add to the “options paralysis” problem that so many of us face, but I feel it’s learning to deal with that, and being grateful for these incredible tools that are inexpensive and available.

LG: Is there anything else you’d like to talk about as we wrap the interview up?

DT: I want to say thank you for all the people involved with this song. It’s such a huge part of what we’re about to release.

JD: It’s cool to have different sounding voices, but it’s also cool to have a lot of local musicians and friends feel like they own a part of it and are connected to it, which of course is true. I feel that makes people feel good. They didn’t just come in and sing notes in a studio. They got to sing something they’re connected to.

LG: I think that’s a big part of the industry that’s gone away to some extent. It’s awesome that you’re doing that.

DT: Thank you.

JD: It’s funny when people learn the part but have no idea what the song sounds like.

LG: Can’t wait to hear it, guys!

JD: Can’t wait to show it to you! Thank you very much, by the way.

LG: Nice to meet you today, John!

JD: Likewise!

LG: Good talking with you Dave, as always.

DT: You too.