Set It Off is a band from Tampa, Florida, has a pop rock sound to their music with influences of Fall Out Boy. The band consist of Cody Carson the vocalist, Dan Clermont the guitarist and vocalist, Zach Something the guitarist, Austin Kerr on the bass guitar, and Maxx Danziger on drums (who was recently announced as the official drummer on January 1st). On December 11th, Set It Off made their way to Brooklyn, New York to shoot a music video for an unreleased single, ‘@Reply.’ After being in the first set with the extras, I had the chance to ask Cody Carson questions.
How was the band named Set It Off?
When I was in college I was talking back and forth with Zack and Austin. We knew each other where we played in bands together back in high school. They were in a band called Memento Moor and I was in the band called One More Shot. I played drums. Zack still plays guitar and Austin still plays bass. But we all grew up listening to Fall Out Boy, and they had a song called ‘Calm Before The Storm’ and that song says “Calm before the storm set it off.”And that phrase really struck us hard. So Austin called me up to name the band, Set It Off, and I my response was, “Love it!”
What’s your opinion on the music video shoot?
This one has been very amazing. Michael Patti here was the director. We worked with him for our music video of ‘Hush, Hush.’ It went so well, it was really easy to work with him. So we showed up for this song ‘@Reply’ and his response was “We got this.” So we got so excited and so amped. Since we shot ‘Hush Hush,’ we’ve planned this video shoot. Of course right now I’m really tired since I’m functioning literally on only an hour and half of sleep. The whole experience has been a blast like learning new techniques in acting in music videos. Since I used to do plays so I get to combine my love of acting with music, so it was a lot of fun.
What is your most embarrassing song to sing in the shower?
Oh man, that’s a good question, I have a couple but I’ll say ‘Toxic’ by Britney Spears. Just because it’s a Britney Spears song it’s not known for that but it’s such a good song. I’m a sucker but I’m never shameless, my peers will be like “Come On..” Any Michael Buble songs like he’s so good, he’s like the new Frank Sinatra.
Before the band, what was your dream career?
It shifted so much from like in middle school I wanted to be like a baseball player. I started playing the clarinet so then I wanted to be a classical musician. I got my first taste playing in a rock band by playing the drums. In a band with my brother in law, as soon as I played my first show, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Like you finalize with people in bands that were picked on in high school, I was just like everyone else, where I was bullied, and in my school you’d get personal affirmation from your peers saying, “They love what you’re doing.” It’s a really great time. I do it for the fact that my music can help other people. So yeah I knew what I wanted to do but I still love classical music till this day.
What’s your favorite song to perform live?
‘@Reply,’ it has become such an energetic song. Like the crowd’s reaction to it everytime is so awesome. Everyone gets really into.
Where do you get your ideas for the songs?
Personal experiences. I don’t like writing songs about things I haven’t been through or see my friends go through. The previous EP was about one relationship except for one song because it was pre-recorded from our first EP. The EP was about your typical regular relationship. There’s a song about being in love and how no one can take your girl away from you. There’s a song about being cheated on, teaching people to stay away from people like that, there’s one about getting in stupid fights that explodes, there’s a song about being heartbroken and knowing you can’t have that person back. I write about relationships still but I enjoy writing about everyday life. ‘@Reply’ is about being persecuted or judged by your peers and overcoming it personally. We got haters online which doesn’t hurt us but it makes us think to them “You have no idea what you’re talking about.” So this is what I like, to tell people and show them.
What was it like to perform with All Time Low?
That was incredible. It was the real game changer for me. I was still into playing classical clarinet, and have been for 11 years. I was in school, did covers and he watched it. He asked to play, and he thought I was nervous but I was ready and winged the performance. People said that they had faith in me and I got support from that. It was surreal. I am not going to stop chasing hat for the fans.
What’s the relationship with you and the band?
It’s such a family brother relationship. Before we become close, I was kind of nervous because we never really hung out a ton except me and Dan because of high school. Once we began hang out a lot, we started becoming a family; we joke, love and fight. We got each other’s back. It’s a tight nit family.
Favorite venue to play at?
Honestly, one of my favorite was Webster Hall in Manhattan. We played a show there with amazing sound and played in theatres back around my hometown. But to pick my favorite would be in Toledo, Ohio, at Frankie’s Inner City only because the crowd there goes crazy. They’re the town where there’s not a lot to do so when they come out to shows, they like to throw everything in and go crazy. I like that area.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Being optimistic, supporting whatever living I’m making doing what I love, performing in Set It Off. Get signed to a record label that has a close relationship with us, making a record, helping people in tough situations. No matter where we get and I mean this sincerely and that is never acting like we’re acting as if we are above others.
Will you be performing at the Bamboozle or Warped Tour?
At the moment, we have no confirmation to either so I can’t give you an answer. We are trying to play as many shows as we can for that, but as of now we will post up news about Warped and Bamboozle.
Any cover songs? Which is your favorite and why?
Ah-actually Bruno Mars’ ‘Grenade.’ It’s such an incredible song. He’s probably my new favorite artist. He is a great writer and what’s great is that he writes his own songs. He’s emotional and a great performer. It was a challenge to match up to his ability which I love doing. These have been some really good questions.
So with that being said, the band’s unreleased single ‘@Reply,’ is due to be released on Christmas Day while the video will be released on New Years. Check out the band yourself and mark those calendars for the release dates of the single and video.
Get your latest updates of the band from their Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter.
Thank you for checking in on this interview.
Check out our behind the scenes footage of their music video!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgCtyO_VwGU&feature=feedu
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