Perfectly Embodying Today's DIY Spirit, L.A. Based Indie Art/Rock Band ALSO Gears Up For Its Highly Anticipated Full-Length Album Debut It Was Fine To Be Kind

Fresh Off Their Second, Completely Self-Promoted Mini-Tour Of Europe, ALSO's Five Song EP Send Them Off Smiling-And Its Video For “The Disappearing Heart”--Continue To Build A Huge Following on MySpace.com

Back in the good old days, like circa 2000, a driven, up and coming indie band like the L.A. based Art/Rock ensemble ALSO could impress fans, promoters and industry tastemakers alike with a resume that includes two explosive, fully self-booked mini-tours of Europe. In addition to their regular slate of dates at Los Angeles's hottest clubs-The Knitting Factory, The Mint, Temple Bar, 14 Below, et al-Drew Conrad (lead vocals, guitar, lyricist), Mark Zelen (bass, keyboards) and Scotland Stephenson (drums) performed eight sold out shows in May 2005 throughout the U.K.

The response was so overwhelming that they were invited back March 28-April 8, 2006 for U.K. dates in Glasgow (The Soundhaus), Liverpool (Cavern Club), West Midlands, and London's Dublin Castle. ALSO's latest tour included dates in Paris, Munich and Prague. Every booker they have dealt with can't wait for their next visit, and the band even met and hung out with two fans from Italy who flew into London specifically for the show. But ALSO doesn't actually have to leave home to have a truly international presence; these days, the world of indie band buzz is all about MySpace.com.

Before this recent tour, the single and video for their provocative song “The Disappearing Heart”-from their five song EP Send Them Off Smiling, which was released in early 2005--was receiving some 40 hits a day; now, it's getting over 200. Just as significantly, ALSO's current slate of 1,200 friends is growing by the day in anticipation of the upcoming release of their first full length album It Was Fine To Be Kind. The 12-track recording includes remastered versions of the five songs on Send Them Off Smiling, in addition to seven brand new tracks.

“The five song EP was basically a way to introduce people to our music, and the idea all along was to turn it into a full-fledged project,” says Conrad. “We write and perform what we consider to be intellectual, arty songs aimed towards rock fans who like to think and be challenged with themes that dig pretty deep, whether we're singing about depression, suicide or good friends who turn out to be insincere. As a lyricist, I like to be open about subjects like that, because it's clear from the response we get that people can relate to our songs. But no matter the overriding storyline, I always try also to have an element of hope in each song.”

“It Was Fine To Be Kind is less a concept album than a collection of our favorite tracks, a true snapshot of what we've been doing since we started in 2003,” he adds. “The songs really do reflect the idea behind the name of the band. The word ‘Also’ implies possibility, meaning the glass is half empty but also half full. It's a reminder that there are many ways to look at any given situation while not locking into a single point of view.”

The band name comes up frequently when discussing some of its other major achievements over the past few years-all accomplished without the help of a formal manager or major distribution. ALSO has received regular airplay on KCRW and The Indie 103.1, plus 120 stations (mostly college radio) across the U.S.; KCRW's Nick Harcourt played “The Disappearing Heart” a few times, and the station's Trisha Halloran played that track as well as “I Would Care” and “Breather.”

ALSO has “also” opened for national/international touring acts such as The Shore, the Damnwells, The Alarm, and U.K.'s The Chameleons, playing L.A., San Francisco, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Arizona. In addition, ALSO was featured on the XM Radio's Unsigned Radar Report, and Send Them Off Smiling charted in the Top 30 at over 25 radio stations nationally. They had a song on the MTV show “Sorority Life,” and received four months of airplay in AMC Theatres in various markets. Most recently, the band's song “Kingdom Gone” was featured in a major motion picture starring Academy Award® winner Louis Gossett Jr. Conrad believes that one of the keys to ALSO's ongoing success will be more key placements in films and television shows.

While they are continually focused on getting their name and music out there, and getting major movers and shakers in the industry in their corner, the members of ALSO do on occasion stop for a “Breather” and think about the incredible impact their music has had on some key individuals. They found the crowds in Europe even more appreciative than their hometown audiences-perhaps due to the amount of effort it took to book the gigs overseas-and Conrad was blown away when Mato, their fan in Munich who helped set up their gig, told them afterwards, “My friends are all saying they haven't seen me smile like this about anything in a long time.”

Another incredible accolade in the history of ALSO was the way their music touched the heart of New York Times Bestselling author John Skipp. Skipp was hanging out one day at one of the band's haunts in Agoura Hills, California and was drawn in by the music that was playing over the speakers. It was just a demo that the band recorded in Stephenson's bedroom, but Skipp was so excited by it that he asked the owners to play it every time he came in. He bought one of the first copies of Send Them Off Smiling and later asked if he could help the band create a video for “The Disappearing Heart” based on his interpretation of the song.

“As corny as it sounds, it's really gratifying to know that the music we make is touching people's lives like this,” says Conrad. “I know a lot of people have a hard time with life, and it's important to convey real, honest emotion to them. I myself have spent years battling depression, but I am still determined to break through that and succeed in doing what I love to do. It would be great to inspire people going through some of the things I have experienced.”

Conrad (who also plays guitar and electric sitar, and has a degree in English Lit) and Zelen (who also plays synth and piano) formed ALSO out of the remnants of Willoughby Station, another indie band which played alongside such national touring artists as The Posies, Damien Jurado and The Mother Hips. Zelen's background includes playing in bands that have shared stages with Nirvana, The Violent Femmes, Modern English, Blink-182, Green Day, Culture Club and Pat Benatar. Scotland Stephenson, whom the two originally met via the website Craig's List, is originally from Athens, Georgia.

“Musically, the three of us are all very prolific, and our motto is to never shoot an idea down,” says Conrad. “I think the key to our chemistry is that all three of us have a great sense of humor and never take ourselves too seriously. That's really vital to being a thriving, working band, just getting along. I've been in bands where everyone works together but they're not really friends, and there's something missing. But with ALSO, the real magic is in the deep, trusting friendships we share, which translates perfectly to our writing, performing and the major promotional team effort it takes to get our name out there.”