In a musical world saturated with similarity, pirated music, slumping record sales and of course competition, how does one band rise above another? Sometimes it’s being in the right place at the right time, sometimes it’s who you know, many times it’s years of hard work, but then there are those occasions where it’s a combination of all those elements. For Midnight to Twelve the right combination has finally come to fruition. We recently caught up with the band’s bassist Al Baca via telephone as he perused through “some kind of clothing store in Manhattan,” getting ready for a photo shoot.
According to Baca, Midnight to Twelve, rounded out vocalist Jon Hartman, guitarist Daniel Jordan, drummer Drew Molleur and keyboard player Steve Oliver, luck may also have something to do with the formula for success. “Our way of saying it is luck,” says Baca, “Is making sure you put yourself in a position to land on your feet.” For almost eight years, Midnight to Twelve has been through the trenches. The band was assembled from various parts of the United States, ranging from Oklahoma, to Nashville to even Iowa. The quintet now calls Los Angeles home and according to Baca, the band is achieving their dreams from a place with a lot of history in the rock and roll genre. Baca explains that everything the band does “is strategic and calculated, but if you look at it on paper, it could look like luck.”
If one thing sets the L.A.-based rockers apart, it’s their live show. Explains Baca, “In our music and live performance we take people through an emotional journey from aggression [to] happiness to relaxation and tragedies.” Baca continues to explain that all of the members of Midnight to Twelve are passionate about making, playing and performing their music.
In the early days, the band independently sold thousands of CDs from their tour bus as they booked solo tours and even opened for bands ranging from Buckcherry to Joan Jett to Jimmy Eat World. The one constant within the band was the live show. The band’s commitment was unparalleled. “There was no paycheck for years touring 10 months out of the year,” explains Baca, “But we’re still doing it!”
And it’s a good thing they are because in the months leading up to the July 22nd release of the band’s self-titled record, it’s obvious that their hard work and a little “luck” has made many of the pieces fall into place. The band entered the studio with powerhouse producer Sylvia Massy Shivy, who’s worked with bands like Tool, Deftones and even Johnny Cash. “It was [great] being able to work with someone of her caliber,” says Baca. He notes that a lot of attention was given to the album from track one to track 12 and he is extremely happy with the entire record.
As Midnight to Twelve’s fanbase grew, so did their exposure. The band’s single entitled “Slam,” eventually found its way onto the show One Tree Hill. “Management had networked with a producer and writer of the show,” explains Baca, “And we got that in the show and now we’re trying to parlay that into more shows.” Any band that gets a song put on a well-known show such as One Tree Hill is obviously doing something right and it doesn’t end there. The in-your-face track “How Bad” was picked up by the National Hockey League and used during promos for the playoffs. “The song was played in Wal-Marts throughout the country,” Baca also notes.
Obviously touring with many other already successful bands has helped Midnight to Twelve hone their skills. “We’ve opened for a number of terrific bands and respect them all,” says Baca. “We haven’t had the opportunity to learn from them nor had things handed down to us other than what they’ve done in their career,” he explains. Interestingly enough, for Midnight to Twelve that ethos is exactly what they want out of their career. Baca says that everyone in the band can think of the legendary songs that influenced them. They are the songs that have stood the test of time and are still relevant in today’s times. For Baca it’s the songs that remind him of his childhood, first girlfriend or even his first breakup. “They are the songs that effected people 15 to 20 years down the road,” he says. Essentially, Baca believes success is measured in the long lasting significance of a certain song or band.
“We couldn’t be more excited,” says Baca regarding the upcoming release of the band’s new record. “Sometimes bands are just trying to get a record out. Five, 10 [or] 15 years from now we’ll look at [this record] and still be happy.” Baca is also eager to see the hard work be tangible and on the shelves. When asked which song means the most to Baca, he showed no hesitation by answering with “(GMA) Good Morning Again.” “I have a tremendous emotional closeness and attachment to that song,” he says. The track is rooted from someone close to him who was diagnosed with Leukemia and how uncontrollable the situation really was.
Ultimately, it appears the pieces of the puzzle are falling into place for Midnight to Twelve. They will spend the majority of their summer touring and whether they are hitting niche radio markets and festivals, going through a stint in this summer’s Warped Tour or opening for Saliva and Shinedown, there is no turning back. “Anybody that works hard enough can do it,” says Baca.
By: Adam K. Zakroczymski III - Senior Editor / Founder
