Cavo
Muireanne | Nov 22, 2010 | Comments 0
By Muireann Prendergast
Did you know Cavo means ‘hollow places’ in Latin? Well, you do now. As is often the case, the name is misleading. There isn’t very much that is hollow about the St. Louis band of the same name. From their start (as Hollow in 2000-2001), the quartet has put time into its songwriting, knowing that the quality of the music is what counts, explains frontman Casey Walker who comprises Cavo along with Chris Hobbs (guitar, backing vocals), Chad La Roy (drums) and late addition Brian Smith (bass, backing vocals).
The band released its first full length album, The Painful Art of Letting Go in 2008. Their latest (2010) EP offering is Let It Go Acoustic (Reprise Records).
So, what are their influences? Walker explains that each band member brings something different to the band. For this reason, he says they have a bit of everything in their sound. “One day we’ll write really heavy, and the next we’ll be writing something acoustic,” says Walker, who explains that they are prepared to consider whatever sound comes out, as long as it’s quality, of course.
However, despite their love of songwriting, this is not necessarily an easy process. “The more time we spend trying to perfect the art, the more we realize how much we don’t know,” says Walker. All the same, they keep at it, finding a certain beauty in what each of the four of them brings to the table. They write together in the same room but also alone, each in their own time. “Any way a great song evolves is welcomed,” Walker continues. Even what the fans tell them they want to hear is considered. “We’d be fools not to listen to that, right?”
Does the band put a lot of thought and structure into its live performances or just let the vibe flow? A little of both, says Walker. “We try to perfect the show because the fans deserve the best but also the vibe and energy in a club can be a powerful thing and sometimes the crowd can dictate the show,” he says.
How does the band describe its audience? Pretty wide-ranged. Walker says they even have parents on board who tell them they love their discs but can’t get them away from their kids. He thinks the broad spectrum of tours Cavo has participated in has cultivated this wide-ranging fanbase. They have played heavy tours to younger audiences and also arenas with Daughtry and Lifehouse, something which has helped them to reach a more diverse crowd. Of course, let’s not forget that their third single Let It Go was featured on the soundtrack of the movie The Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen. This too has helped them reach a wide public.
Walker views the St. Louis music scene positively. He thinks it is spurred on primarily by the great bands working hard to make it in the city. He says that, as a scene to break into, it isn’t harder or easier in St. Louis than anywhere else, with bands everywhere facing the same challenges. Walker thinks that the fans and radio stations which help support bands are what make the scene a success in St. Louis. He names 105.7, KPNT station, as a particular support to the band when they were starting out and helped them on the road to getting signed with valuable rotation airplay.
Walker is careful to say that it is the fans that make a show great. That being said he does acknowledge venues in the city for playing their role in the process. These include The Pageant with its great club and welcoming treatment of artists, The Duck Room, Cicero’s and The Amphitheater.
How does Walker think Cavo’s sound will evolve? For him there is no real blueprint. The idea is that they continue making great music. “For us, touring for so long, playing so many shows has made us evolve to a certain extent. But the real challenge for us is to recognize the development and try to let it take its course, and at the same time keeping what makes Cavo special.” How will they do this? By talking to each other, of course. Open lines of communication between members are important to the success of every band, he muses.
What are Cavo’s plans for 2010. Why that’s easy. “To write a great album, record said album, and then get back to the fans.” Walker concludes that touring will a big part of their future. Lucky us.
Local fans will next see them at The Pageant on November 26. Read more here.
Related posts:
Filed Under: Featured
