Walk Off The Earth will release their Columbia Records debut full length R.E.V.O. (an acronym for the band’s motto “Realize Every Victory Outright”) on March 19, and ahead of release day they will be playing two shows at SXSW in Austin, TX.
R.E.V.O. features Walk Off The Earth’s immensely popular cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” (which was the #2 trending YouTube video of 2012 with over 140 million views), as well as 10 original songs, including first breakout single “Red Hands,” which has been added to radio stations nationwide and is quickly climbing airplay charts, approaching the Top 30 at AAA radio. The group is known for their elaborate videos, and in a nod to their most popular video with all five band members playing one guitar, the band have taken things a step further and covered their own single “Red Hands” with all five band members playing one GIANT guitar (watch below).
I got a chance to have some burning questions answered by the band, Walk Off The Earth, who recently appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to perform their cover of Gotye‘s “Somebody I Used To Know,” (which I posted a few weeks ago, but in case you haven’t seen it…here it is).
And here’s their performance on Ellen:
Walk Off The Earth is made of 5 people: Gianni, Marshall, Taylor, Joel and Sarah. So, with out further adieu, here we go:
MA: How did the 5 of you come together?
Sarah: 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 5! Voila! That’s us!
MA: Any story behind the name ‘Walk Off The Earth’?
Gianni: The band name we liked because when we make music we want it to take people away from the everyday. We want people to walk off the earth and in to the happiest place in their minds.
Sarah: Throwing instruments, jumping on trampolines, singing, making music and dancing.
MA: Favorite TV shows, past or present?
Sarah: The Muppet Show.
MA: Weird superstitions you use or abide by?
Sarah: I make wishes in to those fluffy flowers in the summer and blow them in to the air genuinely believing they will come true as long as no one else wishes on that one.
MA: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Sarah: Making other music. I don’t know. I teach yoga as well.
MA: Taylor, do you love the ‘Epic Beard Guy’ persona? AND, do you have and wear the tee shirt?
Taylor: Um…well I guess it’s alright. I don’t wear the shirt but I know some people do enjoy it from time to time.
MA: Where would you like to be in 3 years time?
Sarah: Playing a rock show in outer space.
MA: Favorite thing Ellen said to you last week?
Sarah: “Well it’s a good thing you don’t play ukelele.”
MA: Plans you have going down in the next 2 weeks?
Gianni: We are writing and recording a bunch of new stuff. Releasing a couple new videos and songs!
The unconventional, multi-talented five-piece musical phenomena, Walk Off The Earth, performed their hit cover of “Somebody That I Used To Know” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show yesterday.
Based in Burlington, Ontario, Walk Off The Earth’s brilliant 5-people-playing-one-guitar interpretation of Gotye‘s “Somebody That I Used To Know” recently exploded on Youtube garnering well over 35 million views in under 2 weeks and is currently heating up the charts on iTunes. The massive fan response has drawn attention to their collection of innovative songs and videos spanning their last 5 years and generated an unprecedented flood of media interest.
For the past 5 years, Walk Off The Earth has built a massive following of dedicated fans from around the world through their unique and heartwarming approach to songwriting, filming and constant, open interaction with everyone their music touches. With the massive popularity of “Somebody That I Used To Know,” new fans from around the world have fallen in love with the band’s organic, independent, sincere and honest original songwriting, cover interpretations and beautifully filmed videos.
The chemistry between the members of Walk Off The Earth is undeniable. Marshall, Sarah Blackwood and Gianni Luminati’s individual vocal stylings mesh seamlessly with Taylor’s haunting harmonies and keys all the while soaring over epic melodic arrangements held together by Joel Cassady’s driving and prolific percussion work. Their independent spirit, unstoppable work ethic and awe-inspiring creativity has catapulted Walk Off The Earth into new and uncharted waters with only bigger and better things on the horizon.
Controversy, questions and speculation about the authenticity of the video performance have been swirling from the moment the cover went online. At the same time, Ellen Degeneres invited Walk Of The Earth to perform live on her syndicated daytime talk show in L.A.
Facts, Stats and Accolades:
Walk Off The Earth’s Youtube channel has over 60 million total upload views and counting
Walk Off The Earth’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” is the most watched video globally on YouTube for the month of January.
Their cover saw the highest Billboard debut since April 2011 blasting into the charts at #14.
Hitting the iTunes charts internationally with singles and past albums, including #1 Canada/Sweden/Germany. Top ten in most major markets.
Walk Off The Earth has gained social media support from Adele, Gotye, Russell Crowe, Coldplay, Mumford and Sons, Whiz Khalifa, Justin Timberlake and Ryan Seacrest just to name a few.
Musically Amusing 