Chase

Well let’s start with you introducing yourself to everyone!

Heyyy everyone; Chase of The Mile After here. We're a powerpop/rock band based out of Charlotte, NC. The band consists of Chase Holfelder (vocals/guitar), Ben Carter (vocals/guitar), Davis Wood (vocals/bass), and Jim Trice (drums).

When and what made you decide to form a band?

The Mile After started in mid-to-late 2004 when Jim and I were randomly placed as roommates our freshman year at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. We had both previously been in bands throughout high school and were very interested in continuing to perform and write. When we found out that two of Jim's friends from high school (Ben and Davis) were coming to Wilmington the next year, we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to start up a new band.

How did you come up with the name?

Jim and I were film majors when they attended UNC-Wilmington and came up with the name while in one of our Foreign Cinema classes. The Czechoslovakian film "Loves Of A Blonde" has a character who, throughout the film, sings a particular song. One of the lyrics from the tune was "The Mile After" and we just liked how it sounded.

Do you write your own songs or do you have a song-writer do it for you?

We write all of our own material. Everything about our songs is 100 percent original.

If yes, what is your inspiration each time?

The inspiration can come from anything, but a common theme is, of course, the age-old topic of heartbreak. What is a better inspiration? Lately, We've been trying to use other motivation for our songwriting and it's working pretty well, but I still can't get better lyrics out of myself from anything other than relationships and the drama within. Hey, call me cliché, but some of the best songs of all time are about love and the issues surrounding it.

What do you hope to achieve in 2007?

We hope to get signed and to release an album in stores! We have so much music ready to record and just want to get it out to our fans as soon as possible.

The Mile After

Who are your role models/inspirations when you’re performing or generally recording?

That very difficult question. We're all incredibly huge fans of Queen and The Eagles, so that's who I'd have to say. Both of those bands focused on songwriting and vocal harmonies before anything else and have been huge inspirations to us as a band.

Can you imagine yourself doing anything else apart from being in a band? If yes, what would it be and why?

I can't answer for all of the other guys, but if I had to do anything apart from being in the band, it would still have to be music related. I'm very interested in producing and if I didn't have the band, I'd most likely try my hand at recording other artists.

Say one line from your songs that describes your emotional state the best right now...

Hmm... One line isn't enough. I'll state a few... This is from our song, "Money Is Not A Thing":
"This won't be easy, but I have to try.
I'll have to leave in dead winter and come back in July.
I'll have to sing what I feel almost every night; but if this does anything, and it will, you'll see, I'm gonna do everything to put you next to me."

Why music? ... Why choose music as a career? What does music have that other things don’t?

We just love it. Nothing else can affect my emotions the same way that music can. And there is nothing else as satisfying as writing a new song and playing it for my family, friends, and fans and hearing what they have to say about it. I wouldn't want to do anything else.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Hopefully successfully recording new music and touring to support it. It would be unreal to be able to make a career out of doing something that we love this much.

Any last messages you wish to pass out?

Yea! Thanks so much for the interview! Everyone should check out our myspace page at www.myspace.com/themileafter . We have recently posted some new songs and added a link to our Merch Store.
Soo... have yourself a listen and pick up a shirt while you're at it! Thanks again...