soraia

Soraia Q & A

Are you guys working on any new stuff? [Maria ]

Right now, we are recording two new songs in Philadelphia and have been playing at least one of them at shows. We should have them download-ready for your ears by June...and probably for free download for a limited time if you're part of Soraia's Mobile Mob on Mozes.com We'll also be adding a new cover in soon...just gotta figure out which to do!

Answered by Soraia on Apr 8 2008 09:32 a.m.

Sue, did you get that Peace/Love jacket special made for you? It fits you so well:) [Krystal]

No....it was from a friend that gave it to me. I love it!

Answered by Sue on Apr 8 2008 09:31 a.m.

Do you guys plan for touring or do you hit the road and see where you land? [john g]

We never hit the road without destinations in mind. Sometimes we end up places we didn't plan on just because of random experiences bringing us to new places...but we always start with gigs and cities/towns already booked. Lately, we've revisited Muncie, IN a bunch of times...festivals keep bringing us back...and we get a lot of help from the people of Muncie to play there. So it's a place that we are trying to revisit every 3-4 months. It's tough...being on the road is something a band MUST do...and KEEP doing. Finding the finances to hit new markets is tough...but if you mix them with markets your band's already doing well in, it should work out. Thing is, we got a band that loves the road...we do well on it. When we tour, we try for 3 days on and 1 day off. Especially if we're traveling to a different city every day. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not. We try to hit the main city and then the secondary one. This is ideal. I guess to sum up, we always have a plan for the road; what's needed is the time to make the bookings and plan the tour--which sometimes doesn't happen cause we're crazy busy with other stuff. But it always works out for the best somehow. We end up places we didn't plan on and always meet great people.

Answered by Soraia on Apr 8 2008 09:26 a.m.

Long time no see, Maybe soon. My Question refers to who or what band/sound has influenced each of you the most? [anita]

Sue: I've always been a fan of great songs. That reaches far and wide, really. I'm heavily influenced by Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, Pat Benatar, Ann Wilson, Cyndi Lauper, Aretha Franklin. I'm just a music freak, really. I even love "Dancing Queen" by ABBA...anything that gets me into a mood of some sort. There's a lot of music that does that for me. Bands I spent a lot of time listening to: Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Big Brother, The Doors, Pearl Jam, AC/DC, Aretha, soooo many more...can't...think....
* Travis: Bass-wise I grew up listening to alot of the heavier 70's rock like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, so I guess I'm influenced by that, and also I've always gravitated toward the motown and soul sounds of the 60's and 70's.
Dave: My greatest influence overall is Chopin and just random experiences in life in general. As far as guitar, Randy Rhoads would be without a doubt my biggest inspiration. I spent a lot of time when I started guitar just finding bootlegs of his live performances to hear variations in his music. I've recently been really getting into guys like Hendrix, Danny Gatton, Jerry Donahue, Clapton, and Brian May.
Joe Armstrong: A combination of Big ole' tree trunk swinging John Bonham of Led Zeppelin and intensity of Morgan Rose of Sevendust

Answered by Us on Feb 4 2008 21:46 p.m.

How long does it normally take for you guys to email back when you've been contacted? and how long does it take for you to get fliers and posters to your promoters?? [Alexia]

Well, Alexia, it really depends what the email's about. If it's for a booking...we try and contact back as soon as we get the email. If it's something else, well, it depends what the question is or if the email really requires an answer at all. We get fliers/posters out to street team and promoters real quick-like to promote shows coming up within the next month. We have someone who checks our Soraia contacts before we get them---so any questions too personal in nature may not even get to us. If it's personal but not forthright...we'll definitely see it and answer it. Hope that helps!

Answered by Soraia on Jan 30 2008 14:50 p.m.

Hello everyone :) I cant wait to see you all on friday! My question is........ If your set list includes Damn Dirty Women can you play it just like on the cd? Acoustic :) that would be sooo badd ass, hahaha...please! [Nikkers ;)]

Hmmmm...well...maybe we can do it both ways...why not, right? I can't see why not...again...the "please" gets us every time. DAMN!

Answered by Soraia on Jan 30 2008 14:53 p.m.

This question is for anyone... Who would you consider your hero (either musically or otherwise) and why? [Missy]

Personally, it's hard to pick out just one person. In general I would say anyone who created their own path and stuck to it no matter what seemed to stand in their way, no matter what odds were stacked against them, and came out on top in the end. I guess that's kind of general so here's a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson; " To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, that is genius. Speak your latent conviction, and it shall be the universal sense...the highest merit we ascribe to Moses, Plato and Milton is that they set at naught books and traditions, and spoke not what men, but what they thought."

Answered by Travis on Jan 28 2008 17:46 p.m.

Hi Guys!!!!! Iam from Dewey,DE any chances ill be seeing you guys perform down here this summer? Bottle n Cork maybe? or the Rudder? Pleeease!!!!!! [amber]

Hahaha....Hey Amber! We'd LOVE to get to Dewey Beach---I don't think we've ever played there....We play Newark, DE often---but never Dewey. Maybe we'll check on some of those clubs later this week and see if we can't set something up for you:) You did say "please", after all...and that goes a long way with us. We will be seeing you there this summer....sure thing.

Answered by Soraia on Jan 28 2008 16:34 p.m.

This is a question for Sue...you can laugh if you want.... Hopefully you remember me from the concert at center stage....remember i winked and you gave me a hug afterwards. ok now that that's taken care of here's my question when are you coming back to muncie so i can see you? [Randi]

This is Sue, and yes, I remember... I do believe I winked back!! We will be coming back to Muncie very soon---and we will be setting up another all ages event aside from the shows we do in town at the over 21 clubs. Right now, tentative dates are in March and early- to- mid-April for two festivals (which are all ages). Please do keep checking the site for updates to the "Tour" section...and also, if you're not already signed to our email list---definitely sign up online because you'll receive info on shows every month. Also, if you're interested in helping spread the word about the shows we play in Muncie--contact us and we'll get your information for fliers and posters to promote the upcoming shows in Muncie. We always need a helping hand with that stuff! We had the best time Saturday night at the Dead Leaf festival...can't wait to see you all again. At most, it will be a couple months. Truuuuust me:)

Answered by Sue on Jan 28 2008 11:43 a.m.

You folks have made some amazing songs and you also have done awesome covers... Any plans for more re-makes or will it all be new? Either way, I'm sure that I'll love it. [Queen B]

Well, we just finished putting together a couple new songs we think you'll LOVE...we also may be adding in some new covers to our set---just talked about a few today, actually. Sooo, yes...and yes. The covers are not as high priority as getting the new songs down and recorded---which we have plans to get back to the studio early in February. So, you'll be hearing the new material most likely at our Febraury 16 gig at Arlene's in NYC. The covers may take a bit longer than that...we have a busy February schedule, but as soon as we can get those down, too..guaranteed we will. We're on fire, baby!

Answered by Soraia on Jan 20 2008 00:25 a.m.

So wheres everbody from? Iam from delaware lol......... [ashley]

Mostly from different parts of Pennsylvania---Pottstown, Philadelphia, etc...and Joe Armstrong's from New Jersey. I hope that explains some things..;)

Answered by Sue on Jan 14 2008 15:44 p.m.

I love live music and i love Soraia, so my question is, Is there any plans to put out a live album? both old and new material of course :) [Marie]

Right now, there's no plans for anything live aside from a video we're going to put together out of our three nights in Muncie, Indiana...but in the future, I'm sure we will be putting something together audio-wise. If you've been around us for a while, you know we put out a live recording called "Late Like The Beatles" back in 2005. There are no more copies of that available, unfortunately. Also, we do have a live track we offered with "Shed the Skin's" preorders; It's a live version of "Damn, Dirty Woman" recorded at Sine Studios with an in-studio audience. We still have a few copies available at our live shows. Still, I can bet we'll be doing something before year's end; we're always up to something...>;>/

Answered by Sue on Jan 9 2008 16:22 p.m.

When are you coming back to Delaware? i miss you all so much! xoxoxoxo [Nicole]

February first, baby! Not too long from now....We also just added a bus trip to The Underscore in New York City---wanna come? That's Friday, March 14, 2008....

Answered by Soraia on Jan 8 2008 14:09 p.m.

Hi my name is Soraia (it's true), and I'm wondering if I could get your CDs in Sweden too? i know i can buy them on the site, but i was wondering. good luck, and rock on! peace [Sweden Soraia]

Hey Soraia! What a GREAT name. Actually, it's not in stores right now. We only have our CDs available for purchase through our websites...but if you use Paypal to purchase then you'll have no problems; you either need a credit card or a Paypal account and you can buy one and we'll send it anywhere in the world. We haven't quite made it over to Europe yet.... :)

Answered by Sue on Jan 6 2008 17:14 p.m.

if you guys could be any animal what would you be and why? [mely]

Travis -- a shark riding on the back of an elephant because I could just bite and trample everything in my path.

Sue -- a camel because they're regal looking beasts and can outlast most environmental conditions

Dave -- I would be a lobster so I could eat myself because I am delicious.

Joe D.- A dolphin, because not only would I be able to swim, but I'd also be able to travel through space. (They're the ones that can travel through space, right?)

( We'll get back to you on Joe A....)

Answered by The Band on Jan 7 2008 00:55 a.m.

I think its about due time that you kids hit up canada and take it on. show us canuks how soraia parties. you know .. so .. when shall i mark the date or dates on my calender huh? [mely]

We are definitely working on getting there--but most likely not until late spring/summer. We'd like to get a longer tour going to some more of the places we'd like to get to---including Canada--so keep checking the emails we send out. We may be asking you for help with venues. Also, if you see an opportunity you think would be great for us, we always appreciate the heads up on this kind of stuff! Thanks for the love!

Answered by Sue on Jan 6 2008 01:47 a.m.

First, I'd like to say that I ended up catching one of your shows at the East End Cafe by the request of Nicole, and I'm glad I did. You guys are awesome. Great songs, tight playing, nice chops, dramatic vocals, and great stage presence. Its been a long time since I've seen an original band do their own thing, stay with it! My question is, how do you write your songs, music first, lyrics, as the whole band....? [Freak For Life]

Thank you so much! Soraia loves Nicole...she's been coming to the shows pretty much since the beginning. As for songwriting...it usually goes one of about 10 ways. Sometimes Sue comes up with a vocal melody first, as in the song "Shed the Skin", and then Joe D. writes to it. Or there's the situation where Joe and Travis write together first---Travis is incredible at coming up with a figure of some kind. Joe is incredible at song dynamics and putting parts together...so when the two of them write the music first---it's splendid. Songs like "Little Cat" evolve from that. Sue always does the vocal melodies and lyrics. On the last record, Obie also worked with Sue on the lyrics. When the song is roughly finished in terms of parts and vocal melody, we bring it to the whole band and run through it...adding in new ideas on drums, bass, and lead. We all write basically---it just changes who starts with the idea and which idea comes most easily at the time.

Answered by Soraia on Jan 5 2008 11:11 a.m.

Is it true that Travis is the only member of Soraia that can successfully perform a cartwheel? [cartwheel]

Absolutely not---but he IS the only one who will perform a cartwheel on a crowded New York City Street. In August. I hear. The rest of us birds, on the other hand, perform much more fluid cartwheels and with much more fervor than the aforementioned Travis. Just you wait and see. Game on.

Answered by Sue on Jan 4 2008 20:49 p.m.

If I were passed out drunk, would you take advantage of me? [Super Sue]

Let's see---well---no, if you were passed out drunk...but yes, if you were in that state where you say anything goes and you are slurring, yet conscious. But you'd be happy we did. And then you'd have the great excuse that you don't remember. How convenient. And lovely.

Answered by The Band on Jan 4 2008 15:50 p.m.

Are there any plans for shows in the northern NJ / NY area? (I miss you guys!) [Z]

Actually, we were just talking about getting back there since we haven't played northern Jersey/NY since late summer. So, YES! We're currently working on that, so please do check back because we should have some new shows added in the northern NJ and NY areas reeeeeal soon. We'll be seeing you !

Answered by Soraia on Jan 4 2008 10:20 a.m.

Sue i love you, will you marry me? ha! Its you or Joe!!!! <3 [Nicole]

Sure, as long as you know I'm polygamous. Joe will have to answer for himself. Will I get to eat chocolate cake at the wedding?

(From Joe) I'm not so much into marrying people anymore, but we can live together in sin all you want ;>)

Answered by Sue & Joe on Jan 6 2008 17:23 p.m.

What does Soraia mean? [Nicole]

Soraia is an Arabic word meaning "bright, guiding star". The word actually originated from a well-known Greek constellation.

Answered by Soraia on Jan 3 2008 15:13 p.m.

How long has Soraia been together? [Nicole]

Joe D. and Sue have been writing together and playing open mics since 2002. Travis bass joined in mid-2004 and that's when the band --as it is today-- really began in our minds. The current lineup has been together for over a year---but the main players and songwriters have been together since 2004. We're all one big, happy, insane family. CHEERS!

Answered by Soraia on Jan 3 2008 15:09 p.m.

"Shed the skin" is one of my favorite songs.... what is the meaning behind it? [marc]

I absolutely LOVE this question...thank you, Marc. It's about letting go of anything or anyone that holds you down. A belief you may have, a person that constantly tells you you're not enough, or an outdated behavior. It's about not listening to common sense, or the outside world, or social restrictions...and just following your heart...your instinct...your gut level reaction. Man, this record --the whole process of making it---was all about letting go. Letting go of whatever was standing in the way of that moment when I could hear myself---whether it was a person, a situation, an indecisiveness; making decisions where it came to this record was a hugely blossoming process for us as artists. I personally learned a lot, too. For me, shed the skin is a lifelong, creative, emerging process. We're always changing, always becoming. I guess the lyrics are my way of saying,"If the rest of the world don't get it, and you do...keep going. No matter what anyone says. Shake it off and keep on going." Making that horrible mistake or achieving that greatest desire--whichever the outcome-- means that the risk was taken---and that's just gotta be the coolest thing EVER. What a way to be!

Answered by Sue on Jan 2 2008 22:25 p.m.

Do you have any plans to make a video for any of your songs? [Brian]

Yes, we're planning on making a video within the next couple of months for one of the songs from "Shed the Skin".

Answered by Soraia on Jan 2 2008 10:21 a.m.

Last saw you guys on 10/19 at your CD release, it was great and the new CD is awesome. Is it true that a member of the BON JOVI band played on one of the songs?? [CAPN DBERRY FINN]

Yes. Bon Jovi guitarist, Richie Sambora, played on "Had Enough". That would be track 8 on the record.

Answered by Soraia on Jan 1 2008 18:01 p.m.

When are you coming to the West Coast to strut your stuff...? [Amy in Los Angeles]

As soon as we can....hopefully...very soon---but probably not before the Ides of March:) We have been dying to get out there for a long time, though, so know that we're making plans for tour come the New Year.

Answered by Sue on Dec 22 2007 07:59 a.m.

It was great seeing you guys at the Funhouse and I should be able to make it out on Thursday to see you guys at The Kyhber - when do you go on, by the way? [Beth]

We go on last - most likely around 11 pm...maybe a bit later - but all the bands are worth a catch for sure. It's a well put together lineup - and hosted by WMMR's Jaxon. And it's for Sister Mary and Project H.O.M.E....sooooooo worth it. Looking forward to seeing you again, Beth!

Answered by Sue on Dec 17 2007 08:37 a.m.

What is the best part of having your own Record Label ? ?? the worst?? ? [Lilijoy]

Best part is you run the decision making, planning, and money-raising. Worst part is you're in charge of the decision making, planning, and money-raising. There's a freedom in it because you can decide when your band(s) tours, when your band(s) needs more press, when your band(s) need to play out more and sit in and write more. BUT, there's also the hassle of understanding the business aspect, and convincing others of your bands merits. There's a natural excitement when I speak about bands I love, but it's still more of a business meeting when it comes to convincing others to invest time, interest, or money in your project. And then, you have to follow up. It's not easy, but it's exciting.

Answered by Sue on Dec 17 2007 15:46 p.m.

It's your new friend Pete - saw you at Elbo Room in Chicago. What's up? You guys coming back this way? [Pete]

Hey there maaaaaan. Yes, yes...we do remember that last night in Chicago - well - some of us do. I do. I remember everything. It's Sue, by the way. So, yeah...see the answer below for when we're coming out again - hope so - but if not January-closer to late spring...or sooner. Keep checkin' in, matey!