Travis Mills a.k.a. T. Mills hangs out with livemusicTO and chats about how he got started in the music industry and his career path, whats new and exciting in his life, where some of his tattoos came from and new releases coming soon!

livemusicTO catches up with Silverstein on the "This Is How The Wind Shifts Tour" in Toronto. Billy and Paul talk about the thought process behind making their set list, which songs stand out to them live, how their new record came together and how the scene has changed over the course of their career.

In the two part interview, the boys chat about how their 'hiatus' was skewed in the public's eyes, their re-entry into the scene, and the new musical influences that have followed. Watch both parts below!

Tegan and Sara have created these fun interviews along with Warner Sound, called The Heartthrob Interviews. Each one has the girls sitting down with those they deem to be either heartthrobs of the past, present or future. And this one features Pitch Perfect actor Skylar Astin.

When pressed by the sisters to define what a heartthrob is, an embarrassed Skylar notes, “You build up this thing about this person. You’re completely enamored with them.” So who was his own first heartthrob? And which Home Improvement actor did he get his hair cut exactly like as a kid? Watch above to find out.

See our review of Heartthrob, here.

According to lead guitarist Stephen Richter and brother of lead singer Daniel, the group has coined their followers the #TimeBombs, much like Justin Bieber’s ‘Beliebers’. “I had like 15 girls message me on twitter telling me they couldn’t come [to the show] because of the weather,” said Stephen. Still, as the video shows, the turnout was more than enough to make it a party!

This local band from Bowmanville, ON gave those who braved the snow a heartfelt performance.  Riding the waves of their popularity, this was EPO’s first show after the huge hit “The World Is Ours” launched on Virgin radio and other pop stations in Canada. Now playing on over 25 stations nationwide and growing each week, the band is prepping to release their single in the U.S. and U.K.  

Since their formation in 2007 with Stephen, Daniel, and drummer Steve Patenaude, Eleven Past One has seen many member changes.  As of late, rhythm guitarist Kyle Bykiv joined through a mutual friend of the band, while bassist Dan Beattie came all the way from New Brunswick in response to a Kijiji ad. 

The band got their start in LA and toured all over the US for about a year. The talented bunch soon struck the interest of many industry professionals such as Gene Simmons, but began working with Dean Dichoso in 2009 to produce their eleven track album ‘The Ultimate Catch’.

2011 proved to be the big beginning for Eleven Past One as they were in and out of LA until late with big-name producer Brian Howes, recording their new singles. As well, the guys just got back from Cuba, filming the music video for ‘The World Is Ours’ with Ben Knetchel, who some may recognize is the man who brought you Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘Call Me Maybe’ video.  The video is said to be released sometime this month.

Although unsigned, the band has been in and out of talks with label companies in both the US and Canada. Stephen mentioned that with all the offers coming in, they’re “holding back” and waiting out their options.

Be sure to keep your eyes out for Eleven Past One in 2013 as they surely skyrocket to pop stardom! Don’t forget to like them on Facebook, and check out their music on myspace and iTunes!

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by Katlyn Fledderus

lmTO: When did you first get into music and why?
I first started singing when I was a child taking voice and piano lessons. It wasnt until my early teens, that I became active in it. I grew up in a church where I was very involved musically. It was from there I began writing my own music and realized that was what I wanted to do with my life.

lmTO: What inspires your song writing process?
I'm inspired by people, circumstances and different life situations. I can only write what is truly on my heart.  When I'm moved, whether it be in a heartbreaking way or a happy way - I write.

lmTO: What have been some of your biggest accomplishments so far?
I wrote a Christmas single 2 yrs. ago that made it to radio across Canada. I was asked to come and sing the song entitled "It's Christmas" on Breakfast televsion shortly after. Both were a great experience for me.  

lmTO: What is your favourite song to perform live, and why?
I am releasing a single called "Breaking Down" Jan. 15th. When I wrote this song, I was in a very broken place.  When I perform it, I seem to get lost in the emotion of it. Brings me to another place - which isn't nessicarly a great place, but it's a place where I can just be me, and let my heart show.

lmTO: How would you describe your fans? Any favourite fan moments to date?
My fans are unbelievable. They're faithful and encouraging. When I see my fans faithfully showing up to my shows, it keeps me wanting to put my best efforts forth - for them. 

lmTO: What are you most looking forward to in 2013?
Lots!  I have a new single being released on Itunes and some radio stations Jan. 15th this coming year. Following that I have a video being mapped out ...then of course the release of my album in March. I havent put out new music that represents me in close to 4 years (Other than some fun Christmas Music) So I'm stoked to show the world what I'm made of and what I can do. It's definitely going to be a year to remember.

lmTO: What is your favourite venue to play or see a band play in Toronto?
I loved playing the Drake hotel. It's got a cool vibe. 

lmTO: Where is your favourite spot in the city to hangout as a musician?
I wouldnt say I have a favorite, I'm always finding new spots in the city where I can catch some live music or try some new food.

lmTO: If there's one band in the world you'd love to share the stage with, who would it be and why?  
The Fray. They're my absolute favorite band- the way they write, play and perform just blows me away. They're melodies, hook lines and sound is certainly something I look up to as a musician.

lmTO: When can people see you play next? And for people seeing you play live for the first what can they expect?
I'm playing next at the Hard Luck Bar on December 29th [Tickets and info HERE]. Then in the new year at Statlers bar on Church st. Dec. 6th. They can expect lots of heart and an amazing performance. I promise I won't disappoint. 

lmTO: How did you all come to know each other, and is there any meaning behind your name?
Steve and Viktoria and Mike had all known each other from back in the day. Steve happened upon a video of Viktoria covering a Gillian Welch song for Mike's wedding and was pretty impressed. When Viktoria got back to Toronto from England, her and Steve got together and talked about getting some songs together. They both had some skeletons of sorts and began to make them dance, put them to music, and then brought Mike and myself (Harley) into the picture. It took us a bit to find a bass player but Viktoria had known Eric from her days at Rancho and he fit right in.

Everything just fell into place after that and the name soon followed, we played with a few options, but Meanwood stuck. Meanwood is a small town in Leeds where Viktoria first starting writing 'Sister Sin.'

lmTO: How long have you been playing together?
Our first show was in July of 2011 so it's been about a year and a half since it all started.

lmTO: What have been some of your biggest accomplishments so far?
Getting our EP together was a pretty big achievement for us. We did everything completely in house and put together something we are still really proud of that doesn't sound like anything else in this city. That sound has a lot to do with all of the great work that our friend Theodore 'Rudy' Fles at Reguladora Studios put in on everything.

Our EP release party was a great night for us as well. We released it on January 26th at the Dakota Tavern and even though the weather was pretty terrible we still packed the place tight. It was lined up down the street! Aside from that we played a ton of great shows during NXNE and CMW; had a great debut at the Horseshoe Tavern that was packed; have played alongside some great acts including Bloodshot Bill, July Talk, The Schomberg Fair and more; have played some great out of town shows to new audiences; and are working hard on some great stuff for our full length in the new year.

lmTO: What is your favourite song to perform live, and why?
That probably varies for everyone a lot of the time but the single from our EP, 'Sister Sin,' is always a ton of fun to play. Our audience knows it and loves it and the reaction every time is great, it gets people moving. Our new song, 'Sibyl,' is right up there as well. It's just a straight-up fast rock 'n' roll song that is hard to not get wild to. 'Half Blood Blues' is another new one that's a ton of fun for us and the audience.

lmTO: How would you describe your fans? Any favourite fan moments to date?
We're really thankful to have a lot of great people who constantly support us and come out to all of the shows to dance and sing and have fun with us. Some of the girls have a signature dance for Queen Mab that they always throw down in the front row, it's a riot to watch.

One hilarious fan moment was at our EP release party when someone was crowd surfing to one of the slow songs in the set. The night was just that much fun.

lmTO: What are you most looking forward to in 2013?
Getting our full length together and out to the world is definitely the biggest thing. We're aiming to have it done to release in the spring. Aside from that were looking forward to playing to new audiences in new cities and more shows in general.

lmTO: What is your favourite venue to play or see a band play in Toronto?
Any time we've played at The Horseshoe Tavern it's been a great show. We all really feel comfortable on that stage and it definitely translates into our performance. It's a great place to see shows as well, obviously. The Silver Dollar is great, too. We've played a ton of great shows there thanks to Dan Burke and end up there a lot of the time to catch some good nights. 

lmTO: Where is your favourite spot in the city to hangout as a band?
We end up hanging out the most at each other's places. Our jam space is in Eric's basement so we spend a lot of time there hanging out and having drinks on his front porch. Ted's Collision is a favourite in the band as well.

lmTO: If there's one band in the world you'd love to share the stage with, who would it be and why?
A lot of our favourite bands or artists have long since passed away so we'd need to get ourselves a time machine to make it happen!

Viktoria - Dead Moon and The White Stripes. I love genuine, simple and brilliant rock and roll. I hope Meanwood can be a simple, genuine and fun rock and roll band for a long time.

lmTO: When and where are you playing next? And for people seeing you play live for the first time, what can they expect?
Our next show is coming up quick actually. We're hosting and playing a big New Year's Eve party at The Silver Dollar [INFO] with Bloodshot Bill, Nicholas Doubleyou & The B-Squad and the Legato Vipers. It's gonna be a throwback rock 'n' roll dance party all night long!

For people seeing us for the first time they can expect a pretty raucous show. Our live performances can get pretty crazy, we all feed off the crowd a lot so the more they give, the more we give back. We hope that everyone leaves one of our shows real sweaty, with a smile on their face and with sore feet from dancing!

Jesse of Stick To Your Guns makes his return to the livemusicTO screen to talk about touring with bands that some fans didn't agree with, the US election that was held earlier this fall, what he hopes fans get from the bands music and much more!

livemusicTO chats with Alex Koehler of Chelsea Grin about the transition and response to their new sound, what frontmen inspire him to be better, what live music means to him, touring with such an diverse line-up & more.

livemusicTO chats with Italy's own Upon This Dawning about playing in Canada for the first time ever, what the music scene is like back home in Italy, how the band got signed to Fearless Records in North America & Much More!