It's a heavy title "next big thing," especially when iTunes is the one handing out the compliment but Low vs. Diamond is an up and coming rock band who recently signed with Sony, and more importantly, they have the sound to credance the iTunes tagline.

By: Amanda Waschuk (Calgary Correspondent - Canada)

It's a heavy title "next big thing," especially when iTunes is the one handing out the compliment but Low vs. Diamond is an up and coming rock band based out of L.A., who recently signed with Sony, and more importantly, they have the sound to creedence to the iTunes tagline.  This five-man band has been working their way into the music scene with their complex lyrics and captivating sound.  They recently played on the David Letterman show. They were given the honor to play at the inaugural Pemberton Music Festival where lead vocalist/songwriter/pianist Lucas Field gave A ‘n' E Vibe this exclusive interview:

A ‘n' E Vibe (Amanda Waschuk): Have you toured Canada yet?
Low vs. Diamond (Lucas Field):  No, this is the first Canadian tour ever. 

Amanda:  So whereabouts have you toured so far, or have you just been promoting your self-titled album?
Lucas:  We've toured a little bit; we've been playing California and a lot of Seattle.  Pretty much just the west coast.  We're about to do the rest of Canada and the rest of the US.

Amanda:  Do you think an opportunity like Pemberton will develop a lot of new fans?
Lucas:  Hopefully, I mean we played 2 o'clock in the afternoon so we hope whoever was there liked it. 

Amanda:  You formed your band while you were attending the University of Colorado?
Lucas:  Sort of, I went to school there and met a few of the guys.  We moved to Los Angeles and started writing songs and met the two last guys, the bass player and the guitar player.  They were best friends from New Jersey living in L.A.  But, overall, three of us met in school and two after.

Amanda:  What were you studying?
Lucas:  The drummer was studying Business.  I was studying Broadcast Journalism.  And the last guy was in for English. 

Amanda:  Your name Low vs. Diamond, is it about Howie (drums, Howie Diamond) and an ex-band mates girlfriend fought a lot, is this the story?
Lucas:  Kind of, that's the juicier side of it.  Basically it started as I loved Howie's last name and it started with his last name Diamond, I said lets put it in the band name and then Low did argue a lot with Howie.  We thought of a bunch of names with Diamond and eventually said lets just do this versus thing.  

Amanda:  And who won?
Lucas:  Howie. 

Amanda:  Your self-titled album debuted in April of this year, how would you describe it?
Lucas:  I would say our record is a combination of a 70s songwriter and a 90s rocker.  The lyric contents are stories and the rock elements are like Pearl Jam or something like that and then there's piano.

Amanda:  Have you seen relative success from it so far?
Lucas:  Originally it came out on iTunes in April and it came out on record two days ago.  Yeah it's been crazy. 

Amanda:  Well Rolling Stone Magazine called you one of the up-and-coming rock bands.
Lucas:  Yeah it's weird.  I just sat down and wrote a bunch of songs and it's been great. 

Amanda:  What's your song writing process?
Lucas:  Well I write the music before I write the lyrics.  Then the music usually dictates the style of lyrics you write, I think.  Usually when you hear music it evokes a type of emotion.  It turns out a lot of the chord progressions I play sound sad and melodramatic.  We'll see for the next album. 

Amanda:  During your show, you said one song was about your brother.  Do you not get along?
Lucas:  You see, that's the funny thing.  You know, you get mad at your boyfriend and call him an idiot and that was that day; me and my brother are close friends,  I called him the next day and was like Zack I wrote this.  He said not to worry about it and we're best friends.

Amanda:  Originally you were signed to the same Indie label as The Killers and now you're with Sony.  Do you feel it's better to be signed to a Major or Indie label?
Lucas:  It depends on what the band sounds like.  Whoever can get you out to everybody.  For me, I'm 28 and I need to pay my rent so I can't afford to sign to an Indie unless they're going to pay for 2 years of my life.  I'm on tour and I'm trying to eat.  People always confuse Indie labels with style.  But I realized I couldn't do this without money and Sony was cool and said here's two years of your rent.  If you're over 25 and have a lot of responsibility then a major label will pay a little bit of money to you so you can live.

Amanda:  Do you find they promote you more?
Lucas:  They do a good job on radio.  They have a lot of relationships.  But today with the Internet, anyone can hear you and whoever likes it likes it. 

Amanda:  What other artists inspire your sound?
Lucas:  Earlier it was 70s rock like Bowie and The Beatles. I especially like song writing.  French Pop.  I don't know, when I play the piano I just listen for something that gives me the chills.  I don't even think about the other bands, but I'm sure they come in.  If I get a little chill then I'm onto something and I just add the melody. 

Amanda:  Tell me what the difference between the rock scene in Seattle (Lucas' hometown) and L.A.?
Lucas:  They're totally different.  L.A. is judgmental and trying to be all "Who are you signed to?" and Seattle is just, well...my friends.  People in Seattle are just trying to make music and people in L.A. are trying to make "it".  L.A. is business but it's still fun.

Amanda:  What's your favorite place to play?
Lucas:  Troubadour in L.A. 

Amanda:  Why?
Lucas:  The Troubadour sounds good. The acoustics are good and the crowd size is good. It has an elevated stage.  The way the instruments sound bounces off the walls; they don't sound twangy but warm. 

Amanda:  As an American, do you support the war in Iraq?
Lucas:  No.  I'm totally against it.  As I'm getting older, there are things about America that I love. I grew up in Seattle and I like going to the Mariners games.  I like American music.  There's a certain energy and loudness to Americans that is funny.  There's no getting around that side of America, the ignorant side of any country is annoying, but ours has been projected loudly over the last couple of years. 

Amanda:  Through the war?
Lucas:  Through the presidency. Instead of getting the American story you're getting that story.  I love being an American.  I have my own style and I'm probably more in your face than you'd ever think. 

Amanda:  Do you think the States will go through a huge change with the new presidency?
Lucas:  Obama, woot! 

Amanda:  Is that who you're voting for?
Lucas:  [sarcastically] No, I'm voting for my great, great grandfather.  Have you seen the other candidate?  McCain.  I think Obama is a good representation of what America really is.  You know there's a lot of different kinds of people in America, and he actually acknowledges that variety and knows what's going on.  Honestly, if you go anywhere people are excited.  This guy is smart.   

Amanda:  What are your plans for the future?
Lucas:  Our first video is going to be out soon, for Heart Attack.  Ultimately we're going to tour for the next 8 months.  And hopefully it catches on and people start to like the music. And we'll play on the Mount Currie Stage.  Did you like our set?

Amanda:  Absolutely, I really enjoy piano in rock bands.
Lucas:  Yeah it's something different.  Thanks!
 

To learn more about Low vs. Diamond, go the official website here .