Nashville-based Bonaventure duo, vocalist Andrew Albert and guitarist Dan Smyers, are originally from Atlanta, GA and Pittsburg, PA respectively, and are thriving as their new Tennessee home inspires their pop-southern-rock songwriting. Bonaventure packs meaning into its material, hoping to tell a story and let its listeners know not just what Bonaventure is, but who Andrew and Dan are. Recently, they’ve recorded with producer Dan Hannon (Manchester Orchestra) and are hoping to put out a debut record this year. Read on to learn about the formation of the band and quirky details of Nashville life. Extra points if you remember how to spell Bonaventure – even its own lead singer forgets sometimes.  

For Fans Of: The Fray, Augustana, Lifehouse
Social Sites: Website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube 

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
Dan and I met about a year ago when he was touring with a friend’s band.  We have both toured in different bands for years, and have several mutual friends in the industry. When he and I first met we immediately hit it off, and during the following weeks we exchanged several emails and phone calls, as well as what would become the first songs for Bonaventure. The rest is history.

Why should people listen to your band?
It’s always been our goal to take the listener on a ride when they listen to our music. To where they are in a different place mentally when the song starts and when it ends. Every song is a story, and an experience, and a piece of our lives put to music. We just want to share that experience with whoever is willing to listen.

How have you grown since you started?
Nashville has definitely influenced Dan and me in more ways than just songwriting. This city is alive and full of people who believe in music and are chasing their dreams. It’s pretty inspiring to be surrounded by that. That aside, since Dan and I started writing together regularly and we have come to find each other’s strengths and play to them. Our goal is to create something greater than the sum of it’s parts.

What sets you apart from other bands in the scene?
We write songs that’s are true to ourselves, we have lived and breathed our own experiences and have unique perspectives as people and as songwriters. This alone will result in songs that are unique to us that only we could write. As long as we are true to ourselves, we will inherently be set apart from everyone else.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
Being able to create music in an uninhibited fashion. It’s nice to operate free of expectations. I think that is a big part of what helps us continually operate at our fullest potential.

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
That’s a great question. I’m a huge fan of Ryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Sigur Ros, etc. But I also listen to a ton of more contemporary artists, The Fray, Augustana, Our Lady Peace, among others. Our music definitely draws bits and pieces of what we do from all of the above, but our goal is to make Bonaventure its own entity, and give it an identity unique to itself.

What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
So far we have amassed and recorded what I believe is the best work I’ve ever been a part of. I can’t wait to show you all what we’ve been hard at work on for the past several months.  As far as the next step for the band, we want to be playing more and more shows, and get to cities we have never been to before (which at this point is almost everywhere, haha). 

Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
We had a chance a few months back to record with Atlanta guitar legend Peter Stroud. He came by the studio one day and laid down some of the most inspired and tasteful parts I’ve ever heard, and watching him work was truly a treat. 

Anyone of note that you’ve had the chance to play with or work with?
We have had the chance to work with several fantastic writers and producers here in Nashville over the past few months. We recorded the first few songs of ours with Atlanta producer Dan Hannon (Manchester Orchestra) which was an absolute pleasure. Working with Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow/Sarah McLaughlan) and Rami Jaffe (Foo Fighters/Wallflowers) during those sessions was also a dream come true to say the least. 

If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
All music would be free and all artists would be making a decent living from it (wishful thinking, haha)

What is your favorite song to play live?
At the moment it’s a newer tune called “Home (Invite me in)”. We posted a video of it up on our page a few weeks back. You can check it out here at http://bit.ly/zgLGiN

What bands that are your contemporaries have you begun playing with or forming a relationship with that you recommend to your fans?
Bands we would consider ourselves contemporaries with include: The Fray, Augustana, Needtobreathe, Parachute, etc. 

What’s the biggest mistake someone’s made while playing? 
Haha, we have done some stupid things while performing. During our first show we were telling people some of the story behind the band, and someone in the crowd shouted out “How do you spell your name?!” I inevitably followed by spelling it wrong to 1200 fans. …Definitely kicked myself for that one.