Interview: Gino Ayala of Cities To Ashes

Cities to Ashes is a Post Hardcore/ Metalcore band from Bradenton, FL. Recently the band landed at number 10 in our unsigned poll. So I hit up Gino (Bass) and talked to him about the band and what 2013 holds for them. This is still a very new band and they hold a lot of potential.

The Interview:

Please introduce yourself and what you do in Cities To Ashes?

I’m Gino Ayala and I am the bassist in Cities To Ashes

How did Cities To Ashes get started?

It got started after Barry Williams (guitarist) and I decided to leave our previous band Three Weeks From Friday and make our own band with a genre we actually want to play.

If you could sign with any label who would it be and why?

We would love to sign with InVogue or Solid State because of the tremendous bands on those labels and the quality of the music is phenomenal.

What does the rest of 2013 hold in store for CTA?

The rest of 2013 is going to be really exciting for CTA. We will be recording and releasing our debut EP in July. We also have tons of shows set up throughout  the summer. Even though we don’t know exactly where we’re heading we’re positive that 2013 is going to be an amazing year for us.

Musically who inspires you to make music and why (Go in-depth)?

I would have to say Alesana because of how unique they are they aren’t a generic post-hardcore band. They are absolutely amazing and I would love to be as great as them and also August Burns Red. They also break the generic sound and have amazing instrumentals and play amazing together as a whole.

People have been saying the FL “scene” is dead, what is your take on this?

The scene isn’t “dead”, but it is very worn out. The anger and drama that people bring to shows is a big problem. The scene is supposed to be a place where everyone gets together as a family to listen to and support music. If people come looking to start fights or to bash bands then what’s the point? Every local band puts so much effort into what they’re doing and the least people should do is respect it. This scene has such a big opportunity to explode if the people in it would just get along.

If you could tour with any three bands, who would they be and why?

If it could be with any band I would say Alesana, August Burns Red and Apparitions. They are amazing bands that strive to be different and that’s what CTA does. We try to be different and prove that every band does not sound the same.

What message would you like to tell or convey to the listener through CTA’s music?

The one strong message we like to convey through our music is individuality. Pretty much, like what you want to like. Forget what everyone else likes and do your own thing. Your entitled to your opinion. Don’t let other people try and take that away from you.

What would be your favorite FL venue to play and your least from favorite and why?

Our favorite venue was Epic Problem in Tampa. The energy you get from playing there is amazing and the sound quality is extraordinary. We have enjoyed every venue we’ve played at but if we had to pick a least favorite it would be Neptune’s Lounge. There were some technical issues during our set and the energy wasn’t what we were used to. The venue itself is still great.

In closing is there anything you would like to add for the readers?

If you’re in a band don’t be afraid to branch out and be different. Play the music you want too, don’t be boxed into one genre and don’t try to just play music to impress people. Play music because you want to, it’s not about becoming rich and famous it’s about playing for yourself with people you want to be in a band with. Also never let people tell you that you won’t make it, prove them wrong and be proud of the music you’ve created.

Cities To Ashes on FB – https://www.facebook.com/CitiesToAshesFl

Interview By: Tim Morris