Alt-rock band from Los Angeles, The Fifth Fire, was formed in 2010 and since then has faced a plethora of lineup changes, with Mark Ryan remaining the only original member. The current members are Mark Ryan, Daimon E Cundiff. Their music is quite groovy with tons of attitude and gorgeous guitar riffs. They draw influences from acts such as The Pixies, The Doors, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, Green Day, RHCP, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Cake, RATM, Joy Division, Queen, David Bowie and Guns N Roses.

Below you can check out my Q&A with the band! 

1. What made you want to follow music? Was it always the #1 thing you wanted to do for a living?
We were all drawn to what we feel were the infinite possibilities and healing qualities of Music. We all decided around the same age, 13, to pursue Music as a Career. It was the first thing we ever seriously considered as a profession and immersed into with vigor. We've pretty much been doing it ever since.

2. What song - out of the ones you already released/written - means the most to you? Why?
At the moment, our song "Devil's Gold" is very special. It's a pleasure to perform, and we find ourselves moved by it every time we play it, even in rehearsal. Lyrically, it is somewhat emotional, and sprinkled with a bit of catharsis. Musically, it is somewhat simple, but with a driving, pulsating tempo that sometimes feels like it's carrying us, or challenging us to keep up. We must mention "In The Pursuit Of Glory" as well. It is possibly the quintessential Fifth Fire track.


3. Which artists influenced you the most to pursue a music career and to adopt this style of music?
Our influences really converged to create the sound we have. There are several genres at play at any given time. Some of our key influences are Joy Division, David Bowie, Guns N Roses, The Killers, RATM, and Nirvana, just to name a few. From the beginning, we wanted to combine as many styles as we could. We felt that Music was becoming very specific, taste wise, and that it was almost beginning to create a social division. We wanted to contribute to bridging that chasm, so to speak. So our intention was to write Music that would appeal to a variety of people, regardless of age, class, race etc...

4. Are you planning any collaborations/duets?
We'll be working with a few different artists of a variety of styles over the summer. At the moment, there are no plans to record with any other musicians. We'll begin production on our very first LP, this June.

5. With whom would you love to work with and why?
We would all have different answers to this. Off the top of the head, Slash, Billy Corgan, and Rick Rubin come to mind.

6. What has been the defining moment of your musical career so far?
We don't feel we've had our defining moment yet. We're very forward thinking. I don't know if we could answer this question until we're through, honestly.

7. What kind of message do you want people to take away from your music?
We would like people to be inspired to approach all they do with absolute sincerity and passion. It seems to have fallen out of fashion at times, and that's a shame. A lot of our themes blatantly advocate tolerance, innovation, and optimism. We believe the way we treat the person next to us, at any given moment, is what will lead to a more joyful World for all of us.

8. If you were given the chance to pick one artist to tour with which one would it be and why?
This could change on any given day. At the moment, we would say The Pixies.

9. What advice do you have for people who want to make it in this business?
This is a question that we would feel more comfortable asking another, as we are still very much on the climb. We would say, make sure you're in it for the long haul. Focus intently on Songwriting, as it is essentially the "goods" you provide. Support other musicians, and be absolutely sure, you truly want it.

10. What artist are you listening to on your iPod?
It's subject to scrutiny. At the moment, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Pulp, White Lies, All That Remains, Killswitch Engage, The Pixies, and yes....Katy Perry

11. If you weren't singing, what would you be doing?
I would be in some other form of entertainment or journalism.

12. If you could only listen to one artist the rest of your life, who would it be?
How does one answer this question without a sense of regret?! Radiohead seems like the most complete band, so we would say them....we guess!!

13. Name five things you can’t live without.
  • Music
  • Performing Music 
  • Writing Music 
  • Seafood 
  • and shamefully.....cellphones

14. What’s your favourite song of 2015 so far?
We are probably not the most qualified to answer this. White Lies "Death" has been on repeat for weeks though, so we'll go with it!