Chatting With Milo Greene’s Andrew Heringer

Elizabith Costey ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

Milo Greene hasn’t had a day off in a while. Tim Burton is using their music in his movie, they’re promoting their new album, and they recently played the House of Blues as part of their tour with Bombay Bicycle Club. Band member Andrew Heringer took some time to talk with Emertainment Monthly about their eventful year.

Can you describe your music and how it sounds?

Yeah, the newest record, that’s coming out in January, we’re really interested in showing we could dance around a lot and enjoy ourselves. So, it’s really drummer based and really dance-y and rhythmic. We started playing around a lot on the synthesizer so it really has like a dance-y sort of feel.

Cool! I’m so excited to hear it.

At the heart it’s the four vocalists and kind of all of us using our vocals- so working around that framework as well.

So, I’ve heard your music has a cinematic vibe to it; I’d definitely agree. I mean I could see it working for a lot of movies. And then recently I saw that it was in Big Eyes trailer- the new trailer that came out for Tim Burton’s movie.

Yeah, we were really excited about that.

That sounds awesome! How did that happen? 

It’s funny. You never really know about that kind of stuff. We actually just got a call one day and they were like, “Hey, they want to use your music.” And then two hours later the trailer was online. They probably figured we wouldn’t say ‘no’ to Tim Burton. But, yeah, it’s just one of those things-who knows? Somebody pitched the song, and it fit the mood of the trailer, and there it was.

Obviously you’ve seen the trailer, right?

Yeah, yeah I have.

So what do you think of the movie itself? Like is that kind of the genre you’re going for or is it any genre?

I think we’re all big fans of movies and I think when you watch a movie it’s hard to escape, especially when there’s a good soundtrack- it’s hard to ignore. The music adds a lot of tone and emotionality, and I think it’s exciting for us to continue to try to contribute and collaborate with music and film.

So I’ve honestly never been to one of your concerts. What are they like? Is it a lot of interaction with the crowd? Do you like talking to them or is it more focused on the music? What’s the whole layout, I guess?

I think the people, a lot of time, come away with the dynamic of the four lead singers and having so many people because you know there are usually one, maybe two singers in a band who kind of carry it that are kind of a lead focus. And with this group there are four people with many different combinations of singing together and bringing harmony in all the choruses.

How to you keep up your energy level when you’re traveling all day and night and performing every night?

We’re not really a crazy group of people. We’re not going out and partying all the time. We really make sure to focus our energy on, you know, getting to the show and giving the best show possible. But I think we give the best energy by not being stupid and wasting ourselves and going out and living the rock star life. Really just focusing and giving our all to make it the best show possible.

How has traveling with Bombay Bicycle club been? And performing with them?

They’re great! They are the nicest people. They’re incredible musicians. I was a fan of their music coming into and now I think that their live show is- it definitely takes their music to another level. And I think that’s what a live show should be. So it’s really exciting to see everything live. They just have an incredible dynamic range.

Have you guys gotten to collaborate at all? 

There were a couple nights where they’re having us come out on some of their songs. They’ve been really cool about that.

It must be fun to experiment and just kind of play around with music.

I wish there was more time for that kind of thing on the road. I’m somebody who likes to play music a lot, and so, especially a lot of times you just don’t get the time to do that. Especially with three bands on a tour. Sometimes you get very rushed. There’s not a lot of time to really sit around and experiment- jam out with other bands.

Well, shoot. I hope in the future you get to have a little more free time here and there.

I think one of the best things I’ve found in the past is that when we do tour with other bands is you do get the sense of ‘we’re a family’ we have camaraderie.

Where do you see yourself and the band in say, five-ten years or so? Is there anything particular you want to do?

I think we want to keep making records for as many people as we can- you know, to get bigger.

Is the ultimate goal to get as many followers as possible, pop concerts all over the world, like that kind of idea, or do you all want to keep it kind of small? 

We’d like to make this band as big as it can be, yeah. We want to be playing for as many people as possible. I think for all of us it’s about being able to make a living and being able create music on a professional level our whole lives. For me that’s the dream. I’ve been playing music since I was a little kid, and I was lucky enough to have the foresight to know that this was something that I was really passionate about, and you know, wanted to dedicate my life to. So the idea of being able to make music in whatever capacity is the dream to me.

I think I have just one or two other questions and then I’ll let you go- maybe take a nap or something?

I wish!

No, I guess not… So, I’ve already asked you about the new CD, but do you have anything else coming up in the near future. Video releases or anything like that?

Yeah, we’ve got an album coming out January 27th of next year. We have a song called “White Lies” we’ve already put out. Over the next three months we’ll be releasing three more songs every month. Casually introducing the new album that way.

What made you guys pick Control as the title of the album?

It was something we’ve been playing around with a lot. You know when you have four people who are the leader type of people or four song writers with ideas of their own about what they want to song to be and how they want it. We gave everyone a piece of that control so everyone can find their own voice and their own sense of ownership within the music.

Have you ever had a time when it’s really difficult to see who should be leading a certain part or doing a certain task or one person who always tries to be the leader or anything like that?

It’s very much a democracy at this point, and I think we’re just looking to make the best song. However the best song comes about is how they come about, and we’ll be pretty honest and open to showcase the best of our work. It’s hard because there are lots of roles for the bass players with Milo. And also, in a sense it gives you a lot of freedom, and we can do a lot of things that other bands can’t do. On stage, we’re comfier on instruments. I play bass. Marlana plays bass. Graham plays bass. Robbie plays bass. We all play guitar. There’s no defined roles and in a way, it allows us to mold and adapt and be changeable in a really great way.

Are you guys celebrating Halloween?

Uh, I think so? I’m not a huge Halloween person unfortunately. I was one of those kids who like, you would take me to a haunted house and I would just cry. And they wouldn’t take me inside the haunted house. So someone would have to stay with me outside the haunted house, because I was crying outside the entire time. So, I’ve, over the years, I’ve tried to find my peace and find the pleasure in Halloween. And also I don’t eat a lot of sugar, so that also kind of ruined Halloween for me too.

Alright, well that’s the last of my questions. Thank you for bearing with me. I know I’m kind of rocky.

No, it was perfect. It was great. It was great catching up with an “old friend.”