Interview with CHON

I got a chance to interview CHON at their show with Circa Survive the other day, but before we get to the interview in question, I'd like to say a bit of a forward on their live performance. CHON is probably one of the most energetic yet relaxing bands I've seen live to date, and they're arguably one of the most talented group of musicians out their right now in their genre. Mario's solos are second to none live and they sound almost exactly the same live as they do on their recordings. But anyway, here's what they had to say.

Photos used in this article are courtesy of Mark Valentino, who's work will be linked here.




PB- So first, tell us who you are.

CHON- I'm Mario Camarena from Chon

              I'm Nathan Camarena, his brother
   
              I'm Drew, from Chon



PB- So what made you guys choose the name CHON?

CHON-

We saw it on the Science Channel and we needed a band name so we thought that'd sound cool.

PB- In the song "Cant Wait" is there a specific person your talking about?

CHON- It's like a, well, everyone has their own meaning to it. There's a group writing session when it comes to lyrics.

PB- So what are some of your biggest influences?

CHON-

Nathan: My biggest influences, some musicians I've learned from like my brother, Bryan Evans, and a whole lot of gospel drummers.

PB- What was your first reaction when you got signed to Sumerian?

CHON- 

              Drew: Yee Haw?

             Mario: We were stoked, like, took pictures of the contract and stuff we were really happy.

             Nathan: We were thinking like, dang what if 12 year old us saw this.

PB- Ok, top five favorite albums?

CHON-

     Mario: One of them is Chasing Shadows by Tony Grey, Voice by Hiromi Uehara, Causers of This by Toro y Moi.

Nathan: Every Toro y Moi album, every Flying Lotus Album, Donuts by J Dilla and Chasing Shadows by Tony Grey.

Drew: No Strings Attached by N Sync, Celebrity by N Sync, Self Titled N Sync Album, No Strings Attached by Backstreet Boys, and the first BB Mac record.

PB- How long have you all been playing your instruments, respectively?


Chon-

 Mario: I've been playing guitar for nine years

Nathan- I've been playing for like, six or seven

Drew- I've been playing bass for four, but playing guitar for longer


PB- So you've toured with Animals as Leaders and The Contortionist, which band was your favorite to tour with?

CHON-

Drew- Of the two or just in general?

Mario- Well we haven't toured with the contortionist yet, that tour starts in a few days but we really enjoyed touring with Animals

Drew- Yeah they're like the coolest guys, so nice.

PB- Any reason you guys decided to re record songs like "Echo" and "Knot" and not just use the same tracks as on the EP?

CHON- A couple of the songs we wanted to do was because the production value wasn't good and we wanted to do the songs better

PB- shoutouts?

Shoutout to my mom, shout out to my dad, shout out to the backstreet boys, shout out to Ryan Cabrera, shoutout to the singer of The Calling.

Mario: Shoutout to anybody whose a fan

Drew: shoutout to my roommates in Santa Barbra

Mario: Shoutout to anybody who's tried to beat us in super smash brothers