Taken by Cars infuses music into running
October 20, 2009
Nike+ Human Race Quick Links
Taken by Cars, a project which has melted a meaningful creation with the experience of indie rhythms, colorful melodies, touches of glowing dance inspired beats, androgynous vocals, nostalgia-infused lyrics, and aggressive flows between fast and slow harmonies. Working within streamlined song structures, the band focuses on a language which aims to speak with a sensation all its own. A drive for a new sound emerges as five members stand lovingly to produce a debut which combines the intelligence of postmodern rock as well as their own longstanding influences in blues, chill, dance, and other genres. Composed of Sarah Marco (androgynous vox), Bryce Zialcita (wailing guitar), Siopao Chua (jagged guitar), Isa Garcia (bass), and Bryan Kong (hybrid drums), the flagship act of local indie label Party Bear Records released their debut album, “Endings of a New Kind,” under Warner Music distribution in early 2008.
Taken by Cars is set to perform at the Nike+ Human Race 10K alongside Composition_B (Singapore), Chicosci (Philippines), Estranged (Malaysia), Thaitanum (Thailand), Agrikulture (Indonesia).
Q: Do any of you run? How do you keep fit? Is this how you keep your stamina during a performance?
Isa: Yes, I run regularly as part of my rehab program coming from an ACL surgery. Prior to that I would also run to keep fit and keep my head balanced. Being competitive as well, I love using the Nike+ while listening to music and pushing my distance a little longer each time.
Siopao: I try to run regularly 2-3 times a week on the treadmill. This is the most convenient and practical way for me to keep fit, as my day job is quite time-consuming. Performances are a separate workout in their own right, but the stamina built up from running surely helps!
Q: What is the song(s) about and who/what inspired it?
Sarah: The song is about the view of a perfect day. It’s about happiness, living in the present, embracing life and all it’s idiosyncrasies.
Q: How many track(s) have your band contributed to the Nike+ Music Project? What do you think about the project and its relevance to runners?
Sarah: One track which is ‘This is Our City’. I feel that the project is a very empowering one with regard to the encouragement of people to engage in running or any exercise for that matter. The promotion of music to go along with it provides a perfect mix because personally, I can’t exercise without the help of a bunch of good songs to get me psyched up.
Siopao: The project not only reminds us of the importance of keeping fit, but also how truly liberating running is as a personal activity. No fancy equipment or formal skills needed—just yourself, your thoughts, and the open road.
Q: How do you want young runners to feel when they run with your music?
Sarah: Inspired, energized, fearless, confident, strong…unstoppable!
Bryce: To enjoy every step and every moment of the run.
Q: How different is a day concert versus a night concert for you guys? Especially one that starts at 7am?
Sarah: It means no drinking the night before! Hahaha! But seriously, it is a cool change, it’s different. We’ve got to get our beauty sleep and wake up in condition for this gig! No hangovers please! Hahaha!
Isa: Quite different, but I love the concept. We’re up to do anything that’s a good idea.
Q: Tell us one thing that most people don’t know about your band?
Sarah: We never take ourselves seriously. We like to pick on each other and laugh a lot. And we get insanely uncomfortable with television shoots and laugh to cope with it.
Bryan: We are all part of the working class. 9-5.
Siopao: We REALLY love beer.
Q: What goals do you hope to achieve as a band?
Bryan: We want to get our music heard across all boarders. We also would want to play gigs in different countries sharing our experiences through our music.
Q : How do you see music as a motivator when running? What do you think about how music influences someone who runs, or anyone engaged in sport?
Sarah: It’s a huge motivator. Music creates an atmosphere where the possibilities of finding power and inspiration are endless. A good beat never fails to get me psyched up to work out. It gives you that drive to finish your set of reps or to finish that lap. I am also influenced by artists who have taken a serious commitment to being strong and being physically fit like Madonna (who seems to get stronger as she grows older) or Kylie Minogue (who has survived breast cancer and is still able to make videos showcasing her dancing and in peak condition).
Q: 2 tracks that you consider your favorite when you run, or engaged in sport?
Sarah: Helicopter by Bloc Party, From Atlantis to Interzone by The Klaxons, Sorry (The Pet Shop Boys remix) by Madonna, and Ever fallen in love by The Buzzcocks
Bryce: Where the streets have no name – U2
Bryan: As of the moment, when jogging/Sprinting, I like listening to Siguro Ros’ Hljomalind and Shinichi Osawa’s “Our Song”.
Siopao: Franz Ferdinand’s “This Fire” and LCD Soundsystem’s “Someone Great.”
Q: Is this your first time performing in Singapore?
Bryan: This would be our second. We recently played a set at this year’s Baybeats Music Festival.
Q: How have you felt about the crowd in Singapore when it comes to your music?
Bryce: It’s a great city with great and fun people who appreciate different kinds of music. The crowd was great during Baybeats! We can’t wait!
Bryan: I think that the regional music scene is growing especially in Singapore so more and more people are “reactive” to the bands. We really enjoyed our first gig at the Esplanade and the crowd was awesome!
Q: Tell us one thing that Singaporeans should know about your band.
Sarah: We enjoy being tourists in your country.
Taken by Cars is set to perform at the Nike+ Human Race 10K alongside Composition_B (Singapore), Chicosci (Philippines), Estranged (Malaysia), Thaitanum (Thailand), Agrikulture (Indonesia).
Q: Do any of you run? How do you keep fit? Is this how you keep your stamina during a performance?
Isa: Yes, I run regularly as part of my rehab program coming from an ACL surgery. Prior to that I would also run to keep fit and keep my head balanced. Being competitive as well, I love using the Nike+ while listening to music and pushing my distance a little longer each time.
Siopao: I try to run regularly 2-3 times a week on the treadmill. This is the most convenient and practical way for me to keep fit, as my day job is quite time-consuming. Performances are a separate workout in their own right, but the stamina built up from running surely helps!
Q: What is the song(s) about and who/what inspired it?
Sarah: The song is about the view of a perfect day. It’s about happiness, living in the present, embracing life and all it’s idiosyncrasies.
Q: How many track(s) have your band contributed to the Nike+ Music Project? What do you think about the project and its relevance to runners?
Sarah: One track which is ‘This is Our City’. I feel that the project is a very empowering one with regard to the encouragement of people to engage in running or any exercise for that matter. The promotion of music to go along with it provides a perfect mix because personally, I can’t exercise without the help of a bunch of good songs to get me psyched up.
Siopao: The project not only reminds us of the importance of keeping fit, but also how truly liberating running is as a personal activity. No fancy equipment or formal skills needed—just yourself, your thoughts, and the open road.
Q: How do you want young runners to feel when they run with your music?
Sarah: Inspired, energized, fearless, confident, strong…unstoppable!
Bryce: To enjoy every step and every moment of the run.
Q: How different is a day concert versus a night concert for you guys? Especially one that starts at 7am?
Sarah: It means no drinking the night before! Hahaha! But seriously, it is a cool change, it’s different. We’ve got to get our beauty sleep and wake up in condition for this gig! No hangovers please! Hahaha!
Isa: Quite different, but I love the concept. We’re up to do anything that’s a good idea.
Q: Tell us one thing that most people don’t know about your band?
Sarah: We never take ourselves seriously. We like to pick on each other and laugh a lot. And we get insanely uncomfortable with television shoots and laugh to cope with it.
Bryan: We are all part of the working class. 9-5.
Siopao: We REALLY love beer.
Q: What goals do you hope to achieve as a band?
Bryan: We want to get our music heard across all boarders. We also would want to play gigs in different countries sharing our experiences through our music.
Q : How do you see music as a motivator when running? What do you think about how music influences someone who runs, or anyone engaged in sport?
Sarah: It’s a huge motivator. Music creates an atmosphere where the possibilities of finding power and inspiration are endless. A good beat never fails to get me psyched up to work out. It gives you that drive to finish your set of reps or to finish that lap. I am also influenced by artists who have taken a serious commitment to being strong and being physically fit like Madonna (who seems to get stronger as she grows older) or Kylie Minogue (who has survived breast cancer and is still able to make videos showcasing her dancing and in peak condition).
Q: 2 tracks that you consider your favorite when you run, or engaged in sport?
Sarah: Helicopter by Bloc Party, From Atlantis to Interzone by The Klaxons, Sorry (The Pet Shop Boys remix) by Madonna, and Ever fallen in love by The Buzzcocks
Bryce: Where the streets have no name – U2
Bryan: As of the moment, when jogging/Sprinting, I like listening to Siguro Ros’ Hljomalind and Shinichi Osawa’s “Our Song”.
Siopao: Franz Ferdinand’s “This Fire” and LCD Soundsystem’s “Someone Great.”
Q: Is this your first time performing in Singapore?
Bryan: This would be our second. We recently played a set at this year’s Baybeats Music Festival.
Q: How have you felt about the crowd in Singapore when it comes to your music?
Bryce: It’s a great city with great and fun people who appreciate different kinds of music. The crowd was great during Baybeats! We can’t wait!
Bryan: I think that the regional music scene is growing especially in Singapore so more and more people are “reactive” to the bands. We really enjoyed our first gig at the Esplanade and the crowd was awesome!
Q: Tell us one thing that Singaporeans should know about your band.
Sarah: We enjoy being tourists in your country.
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