Float on

Fifteen years ago, in a land not so far away, three men, Rob Wynia, David Amador and Peter Cornett, challenged the conventions of their time to develop a musical project that’s longevity has been impressive and that’s popularity only continues to rise. This trio is known as Floater.

From the release of their demo, Sink, to their latest album, Stone by Stone, Floater has had a following that can only be described as devout. Anyone who has seen them live can attest that their shows are passionate, potent and surreal. Floater is currently touring up and down the West Coast, and tour dates can be found on their Web site (www.floater.com).

The Vanguard was recently able to talk with Rob Wynia, lead vocalist and bassist for the group, to get some insight on the past, present and future of the phenomenon known as Floater.

Nicole Egland: How has the dynamic changed/evolved between you, Dave Amador and Pete Cornett since the band started?Rob Wynia: I’d say it has gotten stronger, clearer and easier. We relate to each other more like brothers now, instead of “getting to know” each other, because we’re past that.

NE: Elaborate a bit on the songwriting process for Floater.RW: It’s different for every song. There are songs that I come to the band with completed and just show them how they go, and there are songs that I haven’t finished and the guys pitch in, and then there are songs that come together as a group improvisation, with all of us throwing ideas into the pot. It’s really hardly ever the same process. The only thing that really stays the same is that I write the lyrics; sometimes before writing the music, sometimes after, sometimes during.

NE: What would you say your best/favorite song you’ve ever written is?RW: Sorry, it’s not a cop-out, but that’s like asking a parent which is their favorite child. There’s just no way to answer it honestly.

NE: Do you have a favorite venue to play at?RW: I like halls and theaters more than bars, generally. But of those it’s hard to pick a favorite. They all have their pros and cons. I’m a sucker for a good sound system and I really like atmosphere. Some places, like Portland’s Crystal Ballroom, you can just tell that they care about the atmosphere. Some places you get the feeling that they just couldn’t care less.

NE: Floater has a history of playing some great cover tunes at nearly every show. How do you decide on what songs to cover, and what is the process of making them your own?RW: We have to all agree on a song first, so that narrows it way down, and then we just play with it until we like it. Fairly often we try stuff and just don’t like how we play it. But when we like it and feel like it works, we run with it.

NE: What is the strangest thing a fan has ever said/done to you?RW: God, I don’t know where to start. I still can’t grasp the concept that I have “fans” at all. The strangest behavior I see I really attribute to drunkenness more than them being a fan.

NE: What level of notoriety are you comfortable with? Some bands are very stoked about selling millions of records, while others prefer to stay local. Where do you see Floater going in terms of fame?RW: It’s just not part of any plan or strategy. I’m not avoiding it and I’m not seeking it. There was a time when it seemed like something to plan around, but that is past. It’s like worrying about the lottery.

Just a waste of thought. I love to play. I’d like to keep playing and writing until I die. Certainly, if people come out to see it, then it makes it a lot easier to do. But that’s not up to me. I would love to sell a million records, because well, who wouldn’t? But that’s certainly not the goal.

NE: How does the band feel about the intimate access that fans are demanding more and more of? You seem to have done a good job of keeping your private life private, while still maintaining a good relationship with the fans. How do you balance that, and what do you think about the change from rock star entourages to more informal interactions between bands and their fans?RW: It seems like it’s all about the Internet now. It used to be that people only knew this tiny segment of an artist, but now there are blogs, tour diaries, chat rooms, countless interviews and anyone who is creating anything is infinitely accessible. To me, that is in part a good thing and in part a bad thing.

I feel like the more people get to know any artist the more they lose their own interpretation of the art. I’d rather be completely unknown for a number of reasons, but chief among them is that I feel like it makes the music better.

NE: When can we expect another album?RW: As soon as we can find the money to make one. We have songs that we love right now, but we’re waiting to be able to make another record. Hopefully very soon.