The basics: Names, ages, where you are based, where you guys grew up, etc.

David Manchester: 30 yrs old. Right now I live in Catonsville, grew up in Silver Spring, graduated from Towson University, spent some time out in Portland, OR, and then moved back to Baltimore.
Matt Smith: 30, grew up in Hampstead and have lived in Baltimore for close to 9 years.
new bassist James Bahleda: 33, born in W.V. and raised in Ohio.

How would you describe your sound?

Dave: I think Barrett King from SENBaltimore and Matthew Leffler Schulman from Mobtown Studios said it best. Barrett wrote "patient, melancholic, and slightly subdued" and Matt said "Lazy Sunday afternoon recovery music. Minimalist shoegaze sleepytime music. It’s vulnerable. It’s not safe."

How long have you been playing together?

Dave: I had been playing a lot of the songs from "Sing To Me Slower" for over 5 years as a solo performer. As a band, we got together in November of 2006 after my family bought me my first REAL electric guitar. That sounds like the start of a good holiday story, or something. My first electric was a Gibson that I got used for $80 at Guitar Center in Portland.

What’s your favorite place to play in Baltimore/why?

Dave: Metro Gallery. Hands down. One of our first shows ever was at the Metro Gallery. Sarah has been remarkably supportive of us as a band and even hosted our CD release party. It's been fun watching her grow as a gallery as we've been growing as a band. I'm so excited to see how successful her gallery has become.

Matt: Definitely the Metro. Sarah has gone out of her way to take care of not only us but all the bands and artists that have come through there. Her passion to create an outlet for all these great creative people to be seen is remarkable.

Where does the band name come from?

Dave: I came up with the name while I was in college doing the singer/songwriter thing. It's taken from an old Jewish folktale about the first primordial man put on earth named Adam Kadman. He was pure emotion without intellect, and at the time that seemed to relate to where I was in life and to the style of music I was writing.

How would you describe Baltimore’s music scene?

Dave: tough. very tough. There are so many great bands and great venues, both established and D.I.Y., that it's hard to make a name for yourself and stand out from the rest of the talent.

Matt: Baltimore has a unique scene. There are a lot of styles and genres and things going on just like in any major city, but I think Baltimore goes about it their own way. There's a sense of not caring much who or what is going to stand out. Which makes for some pretty honest stuff but can also lead to a sense of insularity.

What’s it like playing with your brother?

Dave: I wouldn't trade it for the world. Some people would think that it would cause issues, like with the Gallagher brothers, but it's the complete opposite. I know that I can trust his opinion, and it's nice to have a chance to spend time with him as a friend and not just as a family member. Our family always had a strong bond, and we've always gotten along. This just adds to it. And to be able to share so many new and great experiences with him is pretty special. I'm sad, but also happy to say that he is currently taking a break from the band to spend time with his newborn daughter. But I know he still supports us, and is supportive of our new bassist, James.

What/who inspires you as a musician?

Dave: My brother is one. He is the reason I started playing guitar. Alan Sparhawk from Low is another big inspiration, especially in the way I approach writing songs. His guitar style is incredibly passionate, yet minimal, and his vocals are poetic and rawly emotional. Oh, and Matt, our drummer. Sure. Why not?

Matt: I'm sure there's going to be some people I forget but off the top of my head I'd say Mac MacCaughan. Everything he's done has been amazing and the epitome of integrity, from Superchunk & Portastatic to starting Merge with Laura Ballance. That's a label that has been putting out great stuff for nearly 20 years and is now getting it's notice. But everything he's acheived, be it with his music or the label, has been on his terms. On a similar note I'd throw in Ian MacKaye.

Your next album comes out next year. What can we expect?

Dave: Something different, more mature and a bit more raw, almost angry. The melancholy overtone of Sing To Me Slower has been replaced with something more aggressive. My songwriting has always been a sort of personal diary, and I guess these are the new issues I'm struggling with.
Matt: Mashups of the Jonas Brothers and Lil Wayne.