1. For the record, state your band’s name and yours.

Every Atlas is composed of Dustin Andrews (Guitar/Vocals) and Alex Periera (Guitar/Vocals)

2. What kind of music do you two play, and where does the inspiration for the music come from?

A: I guess it’s kind of an indie/acoustic thing. It’s like singer/songwriter, but we both sing and write the songs.

D: I think it comes from a wide range of things. There’s day to day events that inspire us and just life in generally. Musically, at least right now we were very inspired by bands like Right Away, Great Captain!, Kevin Devine, Neutral Milk Hotel, Tigers On Trains, andBright Eyes.

3. Now Alex, I know you began to do some solo shows this summer, or to be more modest open mics, but did those experiences give you inspiration to go out and start playing with Dustin?

A: I definitely felt during those shows that something was missing. On the other hand, that was the first time I really played songs that I had written for a decent sized audience. I used to usually play a lot of covers, so I think those shows kind of made me feel more confident about playing original music because the response I got was great.

4. Dustin, what’s your favorite song you’ve written for Every Atlas?

D: Well I’m sure it will eventually change, as it has several times before, but as of right now it would have to be Figurehead. During the writing of this song it was a completely different concept to me as opposed to what Alex thought it was. And I thought if i could do that for one person, as an artist, isn’t that the goal? Isn’t that what any person who writes a song ultimately wants to achieve? If that is the outcome of this song i will be very pleased.

5. What exactly is the story behind your 8-minute epic, “Ghost Story”?

A: It’s definitely the most collaborative song we’ve done. Dustin wrote the rhythm and we each wrote our own verses. Afterwards I wrote a lead for it and we recorded it in two hours. It came out better than we could have expected. The idea in that song… it’s the last part of a five part story of this sailor… and in the end not only is he falling apart as a person, but his ship is falling apart too. It just kind of has this very lost feel to it. After leaving his wife and maybe even kids behind to find happiness or whatever it is he wanted to find, he’s no better off than where he started. I think there’s something beautiful about that. It’s almost saying you can’t find happiness… it has to find you.

D: And the often mentioned “Annabelle“‘s meaning to me in the simplest way is the taker of anything loved. She has quite a few appearances throughout these songs, and she takes on many different forms, but holds the same meaning.

6. I hear there’s an EP or an LP in the works, could you shed some light on the future?

Definitely. We have our first full-length coming out on iTunes in November called The Ghosts of Everyone. We’re also putting out a free EP of covers and songs that didn’t make the record. That should be available fairly soon.

7.  What has the Internet done for your exposure? It’s always interesting to see how much of a positive or negative effect it has.

D: The internet has been very helpful in everything we do. I do wish we had a more physical way of handling our exposure. Whether it be more shows or whatever really. We’re slowly but surely getting there.

A: Every Atlas probably wouldn’t be here without the internet. That’s where all our fans are, that’s how we met our producer, and that’s how we’re releasing our album.

8. This will be the most serious question you ever get in an interview. Alex, Dustin, if Jesse Lacey asked to have sex with either of you, what would you do?

A: I would probably have to let him, only because of the hope that some of his talent would rub off on me. Or in me.

D: I would murder my dear friend Alex. That way I know Jesse would have no other choice.

A: We could always pull a threesome you know. J-Lace has gorgeous eyes.

9.  Team Kanye or Team Swift?

A: That’s a tough one. Kanye wins in musical talent, but he also wins in doucheiness. T-Swift is super pretty, but I’m not a big fan of country. But I’ll go on record saying I like a few Taylor Swift songs.

D: I’ll go with Team Kanye. Solely because I don’t care haha.

A: YO DUSTIN, IMMA REALLY HAPPY FOR YOU AND IMMA LET YOU FINISH, BUT ALEX HAD ONE OF THE BEST RESPONSES OF ALL TIME. OF ALL TIME.

10. What was your most anticipated release of this year? And in your opinions, which has been the best release of this year to date?

A: My most anticipated of this year was Daisy. It was a good record, but not best of this year. The best release of this year is definitelyAtlas And The Oyster by A Love Like Pi (www.myspace.com/alovelikepi). I doubt many people know about them, but they’re a phenomenal band. Kevin Devine and fun. also put out really good records. 2009 has been a great year for music.

D: My most anticipated was hands down Manchester Orchestra’s Mean Everything to Nothing. It was so good it wins over my best of the year as well.

11. What’s the writing progress like? It is done together as a team project or do you each write songs separately and share them after they have been completed?

Each song is different. Sometimes we have whole songs done ourselves, and other times we write together. I think a lot gets done once we’ve recorded the basic structure of the song and then we both build from there by adding parts and finding harmonies.

12. Where do you guys stand on the current legal vs. illegal downloading argument across the country?

A: I’m all for illegal downloading. I hope people care enough to illegally download our music. I think vinyl is going to take the place of CD’s. It’s definitely coming back. Half the bands I listen to I’ve downloaded illegally,  but I support them in some way by going to a show, or paying for a copy when I can.

D: I agree with Alex. I feel as long as it’s given back in some way then all is well.

A: I think we should kill all the fans of shit bands like Brokencyde and Blood On The Dance Floor and use their money to keep hard-working talented bands alive.

13. Is there anything else you guys would like to add?

A: Thanks for taking the time to ask us questions. Hopefully we weren’t too awkward. This was our first time. I’m glad you were gentle.

D: Even though this was an online interview my pathetic ass was sweating and trembling haha. The questions were great and all in all it was fun.

Be sure to check us out at http://www.myspace.com/everyatlas

If you buy our record when it comes out we’ll most likely throw a parade for you.