Sound Session had the opportunity to chat with Illinois natives, Aiming For Average. The pop-punk group recently released their EP Under Your Breath and have high hopes for 2017. Check out what they had to say about their music, plans for the year, and some interesting memories!
How did Aiming For Average start?
The idea for the band started with Chris and Christian in 7th grade (2010) and made it official by asking
Ruben to be a part of it when 8th grade started. It was a different project name at the time and in high
school we added Nik (fall of 2012) and became a new project. That is being Aiming for Average. We went through 2 bassists during the time and we recently added Zeke in this band this winter.
How would you describe your music to somebody who has never listened to it before?
“We don’t like labels really but for the sake of getting it out of the way we’re a pop-punk band. We try
to stand out and try to be smart when we write our music. We’ve also gotten compliments like “you
guys sound like Taking Back Sunday.” – Christian
“I would say we’re pop punk/alternative. I wouldn’t necessarily say we fall easily in that category since
our songs varies with different rhythms and emotion.” – Chris
“Paramore” – Ruben
“Weezer, Brand New, My Chemical Romance.” – Zeke
What bands do you pull the most influence from?
“Well we all really like Chon so we try to challenge ourselves often. However, tight bands that we play
with influence us to play our instruments better. In terms of writing, it’s hard to put a finger on specific
bands, but we pretty much are influenced by our own taste and we bring it together to our practice
space.” – Christian
“We influence each other.” – Ruben
You guys just released your new EP, Under Your Breath; how has the response been?
“A lot of old and new fans love it and it’s honestly overwhelming to see the amount of support we get
from our peers!” – Christian
“The response has been very supportive and positive. We have been working on this EP almost all of
2016 and it’s paying off with all the support and joy we’re bringing from old and hopefully new fans.”
– Chris
“The response has been amazing. There’s so many people that seem almost as stoked on the new tape as
we do. Since the EP was accidentally uploaded a bit early, the fact that Alexander’s had over 1300
listens before we even told anyone was really awesome. All in all we were super pleased with the response to the album.” – Nik
What was the inspiration behind Under Your Breath?
“Instrumentally, it needed to be the best stuff we’ve put out so far. Lyrically, each song holds the theme
that everything that’s being said, are things I would never speak out on or would ever say to someone.”
– Christian
What are your favorite songs on the record and why?
“Snake Eyes and Alexander’s. These are my favorite because in snake eyes, we used a horn and it’s the
first time we have. Overall it’s our beefiest song. As for alexanders, I think it’s our saddest song
lyrically despite the way it sounds. It was really fun to work on and I just love its energy.” – Christian
“Snake Eyes is mad hype and different than most stuff we find ourselves writing.” – Ruben
“Snake Eyes because it’s a great way to hype a show as the first song of the set. Alexander’s is a catchy
song and I feel that people will sing their hearts out.” – Chris
“Alexander’s and Crooked Spine because I like to sing along and get emo.” – Zeke
What’s your best memory as a band so far?
“On the 2nd or 3rd day of our 2 week run in the summer of 2016, we had two shows dropped in a row,
leaving us in Michigan for what felt like weeks. However on the last night of being in Michigan we
found a ghost town with a rundown bar which happened to have a bowling alley and the bartender let
us play basically as many games as we wanted while she stayed outside to smoke since it was a dead
night. We were messing around laughing the whole night and it was the most fun we had in days.” –
Christian
“I think my favorite was on our 1st tour we played in a Barn in Shickshinny, PA. We were freaking out
because it was a town of only 800 and the Barn was in the middle of nowhere. We thought something
was going to happen to us. However the Barn was an actual venue and a lot of people came to the
show. Then at the end of the night we all chilled outside and had a clear view of the Milky Way and it
was so beautiful. It was one of the first exciting periods we had as a band. “– Chris
“Touring with longtime friends and seeing places I’ve never been to before with them, with zeke, well I
feel the best memories are yet to be made.” – Ruben
“Getting to hear the mixes of songs I didn’t make.” – Zeke
What are some of your goals in 2017?
“Besides getting more attention from crowds, social media, and bigger bands, we’d definitely love to
tour more and take advantage of amazing opportunities, as well as getting to know the people who take
the time to listen to us, and doing a split wouldn’t be a bad idea either.” – Christian
“We want to thrive from our new EP and keep this band hot. We want to set a reputation and image of
who A4A is. That can help extend our fan base and also receive better opportunities for us. Also tour,
tour, and tour.” – Chris
“Get on some bigger festivals and play with some bands I look up to.” – Zeke
“Play tons, talk to many people, write a bunch, and connect.” – Ruben