The band Ellington have been biding their time since the release of their EP: More Like The Movies, Less Like Real Life.  The guys have been busy preparing for their opening slot on select dates of the Kenny Vasoli acoustic tour of Australia as well as writing new songs for a release which is talked about more in-depth below.  Jake Bosci, the band’s songwriter/frontman, took the time to answer some questions I had for them. Here is the Q&A with Ellington.

Q. Who makes up Ellington?
A. Jake Bosci - Vocals, lyrics, guitar. Michael Beatson - Guitar, Lloyd Budd - Bass, Stevie West - Drums.

Q. How old is everyone?
A. Jake Bosci - 22, Michael Beatson - 22, Lloyd Budd - 24, Stevie West - 25.

Q. Where did you get your band name?
A. Not so much the most amazing story you will ever hear. We were young kids just out of high school trying to think of a band name.  We had previously been called Everything In Memories, and we were sitting on the roof of our old bass player’s pool house when Ellington came up as a suggestion.  It was our guitarist’s sister’s street name or something and we thought whatever, done.

Q. What can we expect from new Ellington songs, and when can we expect a new release?
A. It’s been far too long between releases for me personally. I think we all thought we would be back in the studio much sooner. We’re have a whole bunch of songs to choose from, and I’m really excited about them.  The last EP was an introduction and that was it.  I think we’re in a really good position and totally stepping it up for an album release. There’s a lot more motivation and inspiration behind all these songs, and they really tell the story of the past year of our lives. I think it’s a lot more exciting and edgy, but I’m biased because I’m really excited to record the songs! I’m just finishing up some studies and after that we’re free to do what we want musically, so look for us to be recording our debut album sometime early in the new year with a label release hopefully half way through 2010.

Q. Who are the bands you would do anything to tour with?
A. I have always been a huge Dashboard Confessional fan. I can’t explain how stoked I would be to head out on tour with bands like Lydia, A Rocket To The Moon, Relient K, Taking Back Sunday, Copeland… the list goes on and on really!

Q. For those in the States, where does Ellington reside in the Australian music scene?
A. We would be something of a small spec of sand on one of the world’s largest beaches. No, honestly I feel like we have been making really good inroads into becoming a really promising Australian band. I think we will step it up with our debut album, and I get really excited because there is a lot of amazing support behind us and people doing amazing things behind the scenes.  Hopefully it all comes to fruition next year come release time. Australia is a hard place to tour for any band, not as many cities or people; but it’s great if you don’t mind driving long distances for one show.

Q. Given the chance, what would you tell your fans to do in order to keep Ellington alive and making music?
A. I would kindly suggest they buy large numbers of our releases (laughs). Come to our shows, have fun, and leave inspired or at least smiling. That is all.

Q. What bands did you listen to growing up?
A. Dashboard Confessional inspired me to pick up a guitar and learn. Through high school I loved/still do love bands like The Early November, Something Corporate, Spitalfield, Waking Ashland, Taking Back Sunday…

Q. What got you your start in music? When did you know it was what you wanted to do with your life?
A. I used to surf a lot and really didn’t have much to do with music at all. I had a buddy in science class at school who was in a band, and he kind of told me to check out a band called Dashboard Confessional. We would always talk about music. The day I checked out Dashboard Confessional I watched this live on MTV Unplugged video and knew I had to make music and inspire people the way he did. My buddy and I ended up starting a band which later became Ellington.  I still miss that dude, and it’s nice to think about how it all started so simply but became something I felt compelled to do no matter what it meant.

Q. What are your thoughts on illegal downloading, and what is the effect of it on Ellington?
A. Well our entire EP became available on an illegal downloading site, and I guess it’s good for exposure but bad for sales. Sadly it can kill a band starting out trying to pay off the amount they spent on recording kind of thing. I think if kids knew how much bands put into making a record from the day they have the idea to the day it’s released, they wouldn’t do it… but they do. I want to film it all one day, and hopefully it brings some perspective on what bands go through to fans etc. It’s your life, your heart your soul… I can see how one would be fustrated and upset that their piece of art was illegally being downloaded.

Q. What are your thoughts on the music industry as of its current state?
A. I think honestly there are so many amazing bands out there that will never get to see their full potential. Whether that’s because of major labels, the cost of gas/fuel, or the state of music… I don’t know. There’s a lot of really amazing fish in this huge sea, but a lot of them get caught and if you’re lucky enough not to get caught then best of luck to you. If you’re true to yourself and love what you do, then hopefully things work out. Some bands will never get to tour every day and some will play to huge stadiums. Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it because this old world always needs new music.

Q. Has the music industry changed for you even though you have been a part of it for a relatively short time?
A. Yeah, in the sense we are learning the ways different models work.  Like, major labels being so different than indies. I don’t know man, at the end of the day I think the industry is changing everyday.  It’s always been like that.  You just roll with the punches (laughs).

Q. What are your favorite records, movies, and books?
A. Records: Dashboard Confessional - The Places You Have Come to Fear The Most, Lydia - Illuminate. The new Dangerous Summer record is kick ass! Big stand outs for me the last few years! Movies: Seven Pounds. The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas was intense.

Q. If you could have wrote any song in existence, which one would it be?
A. Jack’s Mannequin - Dark Blue. That songs is so moving!

Q. With Twitter becoming the new way to interact online, what has it done for your band?
A. Its easier to tell fans what’s up and helps communicate with them in a really unique way. I like it.

Q. If you could co-write with anyone past or present, who would it be and why?
A. Working with Matt Thiessen was amazing because that dude is so talented, and I look up to him a lot as a person. I think it would be cool to work with Elvis Presley just to see what was up in that dudes head when he wrote songs, what inspired him you know… apart from babes.

Q. How does Ellington go about song writing?
A. I’ll be inspired, sit down in my room, and it usually just all comes pouring out onto my little 8-track recorder. Sometimes it a quick process.  Sometimes it can take days to write a song.

Q. How did producer Matt Malpass influence your writing process?
A. He really pushed us to be the best we could be, you know?  Every take he is passionate about how it will sound, and he is so chill to work with at the same time.  He has a great balance and makes kick ass records, so it works.

Q. You had some pretty big time guest appearances on your last EP. How did this happen, and can we expect more collaborations?
A. I would love to work on some collaborations for sure!  It’s really motivating and such a good learning to see how musicians you looked up to as a kid work! We were lucky, and Malpass knew a bunch of cool people that would stop by and like the songs and contribute in some way, whether it was piano or singing a line.  It was really cool!

Q. What are some bands you want people to know about?
A. My buddies The Dream The Chase and Courage, both Brisbane bands with rad dudes in them!

Q. How does your relationship with Sony Music Publishing work in Australia? What do they do for you?
A. $$$ and help us develop our songwriting.

Q. Along with the previous question, how does your relationship with Billy Blue Music and Jake Challenor work?
A. Jake is our manager and a really good fit for us. He understands the project, the music, and our direction completely. He’s doing amazing things for us and is always busy behind the scenes. We have some big changes and announcements to make and we can’t thank him enough for supporting us and guiding us through it all.  That was very deep and meaningful (laughs).

Q. Where would Ellington have to go for you to say you “made it”?
A. I will totally be complete if we can spend a few year touring in North America, playing shows every day with amazing bands.

Q. Are there any shout outs?  Last words?
A. Well I have to say thank you dude!  You have always been a huge help since we started out, and we all really appreciate it! Thanks to our fans, and if you have $10 make sure you head to iTunes and buy our EP. <3

iTunes: Download
Myspace: myspace.com/ellingtonrock