The Maine is an indie, pop-rock band from Phoenix, Arizona. Formed early last year, they have been actively trying to gain more notoriety and fans by playing shows and writing catchy material. John O’ Callaghan, the lead singer, of the band was nice enough to take a break and call me to be interviewed for our “Hot Seat”. Make sure to go to their Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/themaine) to check out their music and keep a look out for them on tour in the near future.

Amanda:  How was The Maine formed?

John:  Tim is my really good friend, I’ve known him since 6th grade and Pat, the drummer, is his little brother. So one day I was at my buddy’s house, I grabbed a guitar, but I’ve wanted to sing for a while so I sang for Travis from Alive in Wild Paint and then everything just came together after that. And Pat, Garret, and Ryan were all in a band so we began to jam together.

What music influences the band?

Personally, I listen to everything except for country. The band is into a lot of nineties alternative like Third Eye Blind. It’s definitely a wide variety but there are a lot of pop influences, we like to listen to Justin Timberlake a lot on tour.

Do you have any upcoming plans?

We’re doing an eleven day tour soon, out to New York, but nothing past that because Pat and Garret still have to graduate high school in December. So that’s pretty much all we can do now except for writing a lot of new songs.

Where do you see the band at a year from now?

Probably in our van touring; hopefully still together as a band! We really just want to get out on the road, especially after December and get to know and meet people.

Who has been your favorite band to go on tour with?

Well we’ve only been on one tour with Brighten and The Morning Light, but we made so many good friends on that tour and I’d do it again in a heart beat.

Where did you guys play your first show?

Our first show was in January with This Providence and Brighten at the real bar.

What’s your favorite song to play and why?

I really like this new one we recorded; it doesn’t have a name right now. No one has really heard it yet because we’ve only played it twice. Other than that one, Count ‘em One, Two, Three, because it’s a really fun song to get in to and that’s how we start our sets.

What are your favorite bands right now?

Weatherbox, Feist, Brighten, Days Away, Sigur Ros, Death Cab for Cutie, and the new Starting Line album.

What’s the worst part about being out on tour?

Probably not getting to see my friends and family and being away from home. It’s pretty hard to communicate because I can’t call my buddies all the time; I call my mom and dad every other day. It’s cool coming back though because it’s like I’ve been not gone at all.

Did you always want to be in a band?

Last year I went to two semesters at ASU and I really had no idea what I wanted to do. I always thought it would be awesome to be in a band because a lot of my buddies played in bands and I thought that was pretty cool. I wouldn’t say I’ve always wanted to be in a band but I always looked up to people who were and I thought it be awesome to be in their position.

What’s the most played song on your I-pod?

Well, here are five because I don’t know what it is for sure: Death Cab for Cutie- Transatlanticism, Sigur Ros, Umbrellas- The City Life, Coldplay- We Never Change, or a song by Imogean heap called Hide and Seek.

What was the first concert you ever went to?

My first real show was Homegrown and Millencolin at The Nile in Arizona when I was in 7th grade. I had seen a local band called Six Year Senior and the band my buddies were in, Flash Kill Courtesy, before that though.

Where is your favorite city to tour?

This answer is probably gonna be biased because it was the last day of tour and we kicked it in the city of Chicago with the Morning Light after. It was awesome and it’s probably my favorite city so far.

That’s all the questions I have for you. Anything else you’d like to add?

Nothing really, but thank you for taking the time to interview us!