Propel is a band out of San Francisco, California, fronted by singer/songwriter/guitarist Peter Kasen. Propel will be playing here in San Antonio New Year's Eve on the Riverwalk (Peter hasn't gotten all the details yet, but I'm guessing it's part of "Celebrate San Antonio"). Peter was kind enough to agree to do an e-mail interview with me so that SA could learn a little about Propel.Do you remember the moment when you first decided that writing and playing music was what you wanted to do with your life?
The first moments I realized that songwriting and music were what I wanted for my life and for a career were early in High School, with my first band BluRr. We sold 100 demos in 7 days...went on a mini tour from Miami to Orlando, and opened for Marilyn Manson, all within about 2 months of forming and releasing a demo.
I knew at 16 that songwriting was something that came naturally for me and with little effort. The things I couldn’t say in words came out tenfold in song form, curbing my introverted nature in High School to one of extroverted persona in my music.
I then decided to apply to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. and was accepted with a Songwriting Scholarship, as well as being accepted into Early Admission. I knew there was no turning back, and years later, after fighting with family, society, financials, and management jobs, I realized Propel needed to happen ASAP. Hence we are now talking today, 6 months after the Birth of Propel, and seeing how it has flourished into a signed indie act of maturity and professionalism.
You found an outlet to express yourself. I totally understand that. It's what writing is for me.
You credit 90's grunge artists like Billy Corgan and Kurt Cobain as inspiring you. Your music still retains a taste of grunge, I think. What was it about these artists that caught your ear?
Being a bit of a recluse in High School, and writing a storm of songs along the way, I remember first hearing "Gish" by Smashing Pumpkins. This was their debut album on an indie, a small one, just like me now. Billy Corgan composed intricate guitar parts, which flowed and had this huge wall of sounding force to it. He used math in a way, to complex or fool the listener with changes in each song, as to be completely original in his craft, and always put guitars up front. He and Kurt, were sort of leaders in a band, much like I try to be. They wrote all the music, streamed the perception, sound, and image of the bands they led.
The lazy vocal style where the voice is tucked underneath a wall of guitars kind of started with Jane's Addiction, SP, and Nirvana, all hatching as you said in the early 90's. With Billy and Kurt, it was different. They are two of the best, if not the best, rock songwriters I feel that have graced us since say Led Zeppelin. Songs like a “Disarm,” or a “Rape Me,” are imperative and timeless to any generation.
This is how I eventually want Propel to be. Where the song and the guitar melodies become synonymous with EPIC sound, and EPIC memories of each of my fans’ lives, and the connection there is made. Obviously the strain of similarities do exist in tenfold.
Billy Corgan, studied, as I did, guitar. Both with parents who don’t really appreciate that as a career. Billy also can drop from the heaviest of heavy to the quietest of quiet, all with dynamics, much like Propel does. Not that vocals are not important, as they are, however, it’s the depth of the lyrics and the melody which adds to the music, but the music is always the foundation of the song.
Smashing Pumpkins was the first band to show me I could front a band and be its lead singer, writer and only guitarist, and that’s where the parallels and my influence from them begin.
Propel being only 6 months old, things seem to be progressing rather quickly for you. You were chosen to be in an International Songwriting Competition, you recently signed with No Left Turn Records, you've done a few big tours and have another one coming up (including San Antonio)...what's next for Propel? What do you see happening in the next 6 months?
The release of Propel's debut album in March/April of 2006. Heavy West Coast touring from Los Angeles to Seattle and hitting Nevada, Montana, etc. National Distribution which No Left Turn Records and CD BABY have begun with I Tunes, Best Buy, Napster, etc.
We will also launch a full campaign on all physical indie retailers, up and down the West Coast, making distribution run and focus on the coast in which I was signed first and foremost. Best Buy, with I Tunes, will increase East Coast purchasing and allow my fans to have access now immediately through these channels.
No Left Turn Records will also be putting out a compilation for Christmas, to whet appetites, and a sampler of unreleased new music from Propel in Jan/Feb off of the debut album, to gain radio airplay in the West Coast markets, through every college that is known here.
Much more is happening, but I can honestly say we are working on Propel becoming a regional songwriter and known throughout the west coast in its entirety within the next 6 months.
We plan to jockey this debut album and get bigger labels’ attention in the process, and play festivals like CMJ and SxSW, reserving national touring for down the line.
Wow. You have a lot going on. That doesn't surprise me, though, because I know you have a real head for business and promotion and that you work your ass off at it. What do you think is the biggest mistake that bands starting out make when it comes to promoting themselves?
I would have to think that for a new band, promoting themselves at all would be a good thing. However, many bands on MySpace and PureVolume that are young bands seem to throw up unproduced music, that as a first impression is not where it needs to be to gain reviews, press, shows, and most importantly, fans. It costs money and time to put up a couple of well produced, thought out, good songs. I also feel like lately, anyone who wants to play dist. and power chords is calling themselves a band and therefore is killing the status of Independent Music. Independent Music used to be about songs that were good, deep, however not readily accessible to mass audiences. I feel with proper promoting and maturity, a band can and will eventually leap out of this stage.
I thank you for your compliment, and yes I do work non-stop to promote Propel night and day, and soon will have the label step in on merch and promotions via College Radio on this coast, and of course physical distribution to at least 2 indie record stores in each major West Coast city by April of 2006 for the debut album. Not to mention, Best Buy, CD Baby, Napster, I Tunes, Rhapsody, and Walmart and Target Online Stores. This way the whole country at least can have a option of Propel.
Ok, one more question. If you could sit down over a cup of coffee (or a beer, whatever) and pick the brain of any famous musician, live or dead, whose brain would you pick?
John Lennon, without question.
How to learn more about Peter and Propel:
Propel's Official Web Site
Visit Propel on MySpace
Check out Propel's EP, A Year Worth Forgetting, on CD Baby or Best Buy (type in "Propel")