Michael Finster of Flagship

QRO interviewed Michael Finster of Charlotte’s Flagship....
Michael Finstar of Flagship : Q&A

Michael Finster of Flagship : Q&A

QRO interviewed Michael Finster of Charlotte’s Flagship. In the conversation, Finstar talked about his hometown’s music scene, Flagship’s first performance outside of it, the pressure of the permanence of recording vs. the ability to redeem oneself live, their upcoming new album, and more…

 

QRO: I’ve heard over the years that people in Charlotte love and appreciate live music. What was it like starting there?

Michael Finster: Hey Ken, let me first say that it is a total pleasure to speak with you! We love Charlotte. I was born and raised there, so it will always hold a special place in my heart! It was interesting starting in music there because it originally started as us just playing for friends. You play for friends and family for a while until strangers know who you are and become fans. The Charlotte music scene can be hit or miss. It’s easy to have people turn on you if you have any national success whatsoever. It’s almost like certain people there are just looking for the weird and absurd and then latching onto it! Even though that’s the case, we really do have a beautiful hometown and a beautiful, and loyal fan base there!

QRO: What was the first city you guys played in outside of Charlotte and do you feel you were ready for it?

MF: Hmmmm. I’m trying to remember that one! We’ve all been in bands for years, so we are very used to traveling and playing! By the time Flagship formed, we had all been playing, so we didn’t have any problem feeling prepared for our first out of town shows. To be honest, some of our first big shows out of town together was our tour with The Wombats (QRO spotlight on), which started in Washington, D.C. at The 9:30 Club! We love that venue and love that city. We weren’t perfect, but we knew we belonged up there!

I think that touring really influences you to write songs that you know you can enjoy playing every night for years, because if people like it, that’s what’s going to happen.

QRO: Has touring changed the way you write songs? The way you approach the process of writing songs?

MF: I think that touring really influences you to write songs that you know you can enjoy playing every night for years, because if people like it, that’s what’s going to happen. It has influenced us to make timeless, classic, records that can stand the test of time!

QRO: Is the next album mostly written already?

MF: The next album is partially done! We have a few songs in the bag that are finished and ready to go, but at the moment we are taking a short break from writing just to help ourselves get inspired and get ourselves in that headspace for more writing. If we get in the right mood, we can start pumping out songs pretty quickly.

QRO: What is it that you’re looking forward to most when it comes to recording a new album and do you have a studio/location already picked out?

MF: Albums as a whole are a perfect blend of terrifying and exciting. There is so much pressure sometimes in your head because what you are doing is very permanent and you just want it to be the best representation of what you are feeling! When you play a show, it’s not permanent, if you don’t do well; you have the next night to redeem yourself. I personally am very excited to get in the studio and experiment with drums sounds and take a new approach to the drums on this record. We are going out to L.A. at the end of June to vibe with a producer out there for a week and see if it all clicks! (We’re very hopeful)

QRO: Looking back on your live shows now, what’s a favourite moment you have that really sticks out?

MF: My favorite moment ever from a live show is a show that we played at Stubbs BBQ in Austin! We played in front of a sold out crowd on the outdoor stage! It was one of the biggest crowds we have ever played for and every moment of it was perfect!

Flagship on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/FlagshipOfficial

Flagship on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/FlagshipOffcl

Flagship on Instagramhttps://instagram.com/flagshipofficial/

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