The Band That Likes to Get Down: Incarta

Visishta Cheerala

Following the ‘scene’ here in East Lansing is a difficult thing to do considering the lack of support towards local bands. After attending a show in Lansing a few weeks ago, I came across a band with a lot of potential, dedication, and perseverance.

Incarta, a local up-and-coming band has been around for the past year and half with the current line-up of Joey Vernon-main vocals, Tim Harmon-guitar, Ray Kinney-guitar, Matt DeRose-bass, and Zach Darwin-drums. They are an amazing live band, and put on a very personal show.

I had the privilege of interviewing Incarta, and let’s just say I was surprised to learn how level-headed and down to earth these musicians were.

VC: Being a local band, do you guys get a lot of support?
Tim Harmon: “We get more support from other bands versus actual community support”
Ray Kinney: “I get that it’s a college town, but if they can go to the bar and spend $30, the least they can do is spend $5 support the local bands.”

VC: Who writes the songs for the band?
Harmon: “We really don’t follow a structure to the way we write, we come up with the music then we go to lyrics.”
Ray Kinney: “Tim and I generally come up with parts for the guitar, either separately or together.”
Zach Darwin: “I can come up with the drum sections from what Ray and Tim play or sometimes I just write out something and play it for the band and we go from there.”
Joey Vernon: “It’s definitely a collaboration effort from everyone. Our songs are allowing us to talk about things that society really doesn’t want to acknowledge…it’s more important for us to point out the negative aspects but viewing them in the positive light.”
Matt DeRose: “We constantly try to re-write the songs, it depends on the mood we’re in. We had the hardest time trying to come up with which songs we wanted on the CD.”

VC: So most of the songs are personal experiences?
Harmon: “Any personalization we can put in it we try to, if you believe in something or want something to happen you have to go for it.”
Kinney: “We don’t want to force something that isn’t us, when you hear the music you have to actually listen to lyrics to understand the emotions behind them.”
Vernon: “There’s a song on the album, Three Sheets to the Wind, called Always Removed that is very personal to me. I wrote the song for a friend who passed away and it was a time when everyone was falling apart and its very representative to me how you have to build yourself up, not give in.”

VC: Is it difficult having two lead guitarists?
Kinney: “Not at all, there is not animosity between us. In fact, Tim and I push each other because he will learn something and bring it to practice, which makes me want to master it as well.”
VC: You have a CD Release show coming up, on the November 25, are you guys excited?
DeRose: “It’s at Mac’s Bar in Lansing, tickets $10 at the door, Doors at 5:30 pm.”
Harmon: “Our CD is going to be $5 that night but after that it’s $10. You can find it on Itunes, Purevolume…and we’re working on Best Buy.”

VC: In your opinion how would you guys describe the word “success”?
Kinney: “It’s not a matter of not giving into society’s classification of success, I’m never going to be the ‘poster boy’ image but as long as I achieve my goals and be the musician I want then I know I’m successful.”
Darwin: “I think it’s doing what you want to do, while minding the rules, but never compromising yourself.”
DeRose: “Getting your point across without overstepping the boundaries.”
Vernon: “Do what you want, support yourself, and just knowing that you are helping someone through the music you make is enough for me.”
Harmon: “Reaching out to somebody and influencing them. Making an impact on someone’s life through music or day-to-day basis.”

I’ve come to the conclusion that Incarta is not the stereotypical cliché band, yes fame and recognition is part of what they are aiming for but this band genuinely cares about their fans and the connection is more important to them.

“I think every glance we give people at a show, even for a moment, it’s just to connect with them,” Vernon said. “Even if we can just affect one person at every show that’s all that matters to us.”

However, one thing the band would not tell me was what the name “Incarta” stood for. “If anyone can figure it out we will give them a free t-shirt” announced guitarist Tim Harmon. “And hugs” chimed in bassist DeRose.

Incarta’s CD Release show is at Mac’s Bar on November 25, 07, also check out their myspace page: www.myspace.com/incarta