5 Questions with Gary Cioni from Daytrader

Every week for 5 Questions, I chat with a band I like, and I implore you to check them out and, hopefully, some of you actually do. This week is a little different. This week, I really, really want you to check this band out. Like, you need to. I absolutely cannot say enough great things about New York's own Daytrader. I've been following these guys for a bit, and given their recently announced signing to indie powerhouse Rise Records and upcoming debut produced by Brand New go-to-knob-twiddler Mike Sapone, I'd say big things are about to happen to these guys. So pick up their fantastic EP Last Days of Rome, and keep your eyes open; Daytrader are on their way. Thanks Gary!

1.)  Please state your name, your role in the band, and give us a brief history of Daytrader!

My name is Gary, I play guitar, and sing a bit.  I started Daytrader as a side project to use some of my song ideas while Crime in Stereo was still an active band.  The band was formed by myself, Tym and our original drummer Pat.  We wrote a bunch of songs and then recruited some more members, recorded a demo and things took off from there.  We originally had no intentions of touring or being a full time band; it kind of just happened.

2.)  You guys are a part of the pop punk/underground revival that's been going on the last couple years. How do you feel about this new swell of bands on record labels like your own? Is it a cool thing to be a part of, and which peers of yours (i.e. Title Fight, Balance & Composure) do you like the most?

There are a lot of new bands and labels worth being excited about at the moment; I am glad we can be a part of it.  Labels like Run For Cover and No Sleep have constantly been doing the music scene favors by discovering talented new bands and releasing great music.  Of our current peers, my personal favorites are Seahaven, Balance and Composure, Transit, Into It.Over It., Title Fight and Aficionado.  Every one of those bands recently released, or are about to release, a new record, and they all made great records. 

3.)  I saw you guys on the Fake Problems tour over the summer, and you mentioned your debut full length will be coming out in 2012. How's the process going, and how does the new stuff sound in comparison to the EP?

The material for the full length is coming out great; we already have enough songs to make a record and still have another two months to continue writing.  It more or less sounds like Daytrader, maybe a little more rock at times than our previous material.  Being that we have only released a 3 song demo and an EP, I would say that we will have not yet truly defined what our sound is until this record is completed. So, yeah, it sounds like Daytrader.  

4.)  How has illegal downloading affected Daytrader, and how do you plan to release music in the future (CD's, vinyl, digital, free releases, etc.)? How do you acquire music in your personal life?

We released our demo online for free and encourage people to download our music.  If you like our band, burn a CD with our music on it and give it to your friends.  If they like what they hear, maybe they will order a copy online or come out to a show and pick up a record from us at the merch table.  We will be releasing new music in the future digitally, on wax, CD's, and maybe even some crazy new ways not yet to be invented.

If it wasn't for illegal downloading, many people who enjoy our music may not have ever heard it in the first place.  When checking out a new band for the first time, I will usually download it online illegally to check out what the band is all about.  That being said, if I like what I hear, I will happily purchase the music and support the artist.  

5.)  Who were your favorite bands growing up? Do you remember a specific album or show that made you want to play music?

 My favorite bands in high school that made me want to play music were Get Up Kids, the Juliana Theory, Saves the Day, Taking Back Sunday, Brand New, Lifetime and Silent Majority.  I like that people my age who listened to all the records those bands released 10+ years ago can hear the influence they have had on my band today.