PropertyOfZack got the chance to speak with John O’Callaghan of The Maine not too long ago to do a quick interview. John and I discussed the response to Black & White, the meaning behind the record, as well as a definite b-side release, and more touring in the winter. Be sure to read up!

For the record, could you state your name and role in The Maine?
My names John Cornelius O’Callaghan V and I sing in The Maine.

Black & White came out on July 13th. Though it’s only been a month, how has the reception been?
It’s been awesome, man. We’ve been able to bring people to these shows, which is awesome. It’s a good thing when people come out. They seem to be really excited, so it’s been good so far.

Obviously you guys are a much bigger band since Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop came out, but how would you compare the reaction between the two so far?
Since we’ve been on the road for so long I feel that the reaction now isn’t less enthusiastic, or the reaction then wasn’t less enthusiastic, there were just less people coming to the shows and singing along. It hasn’t really been different. The enthusiasm is still there, but there’s just more people who have it.

Have fans been responding well to the slight change in sound?
Well, I think so. We just kind of tried to make a record that we were comfortable with and I feel that people are able to adapt. We’re also playing a pretty long set, so we’re fitting in a lot of the old ones too. So people are happy.

The Maine recently released a pretty cool music video for “Inside Of You”. How did that idea come together?
The concept was more about the vibe of the record and the theme for the album as opposed to just the theme to the song. It’s basically about the journey you take to find the true you. It’s kind of the color world is letting your freak come out and being comfortable with that and then the black and white world is just kind of this numb, brainwashed feeling in every day life.

How was the studio process this time compared to the recording of Cant Stop, Wont Stop?
The planning this time around was a lot better. We knew what to expect as far as the studio was concerned, but we had a different team this time around. I feel like the planning on this record was way better than the first.
POZ: Were you guys more comfortable in there this time?
John: Yeah, we were nervous, but it was a good nervous. It was that good buzz. We were comfortable. We had an apartment where we lived together. It was good to have some sort of constant every night. We definitely had fun.
 
How has the transition been from Fearless to Sire/Warner Brothers?
It’s been awesome. Nothing on Fearless, but we’re in a good spot right now and it’s because of Fearless also. The transition has been pretty seamless. It’s basically just a bigger company with more people working for you and you have a little more money to spend. We couldn’t be happier.

The An Evening Out With The Maine tour is still pushing halfway through. How has it been as your first headline tour?
It’s pretty surreal. Like I said, people are coming to the shows. I don’t know where along the lines so many people heard about our band, but we’re very fortunate. We’re very fortunate and we’re having a lot of fun. It’s one of those bittersweet things now, with I think seven or eight shows left. It’s one of those moments where we want these last days to be really killer. Kicking it into high gear.

Would you say that this has been the best tour you’ve been a part of in terms of fan energy?
For us it’s focused. It’s a focused energy, especially at the end of the set. People can not really care sometimes if you’re supporting on tour and you have to win over some, which is always a good thing, but it’s a good feeling right now.

Is doing a headlining tour with an extended set something you guys will definitely look into doing again sometime soon?
Absolutely. I’m not sure when. We love playing for new people and trying to win over fans, so we’re gonna probably do some support tours here coming up and then we’d love to do another headliner for sure.

The Maine will be heading to Hawaii and Indonesia for two dates in September before the UK tour. How did those dates come together?
You know what, I don’t know how they came about, but I am so stoked that they did. I think our booking agent just brought it to us and we approved the offer and it’s basically gonna be a little vacation there. We’re excited

Is it always exciting getting in front of new crowds?
It’s been wild. I’ve been asking the question every night, like who’s seen us for the first time, and there are lot of hands every night, so that’s always a great thing. The goal is to put on the best show you can so that someone there will tell someone else,

The Maine will be heading to the UK with Mayday Parade in September and October. Will it definitely be fun doing a tour with those guys?
Absolutely. We’ve known those guys for some time now. We’ve toured with them a little while back. Last time we went there with them, We The Kings, and The Academy Is…, so there was that awkward week of introducing yourselves and trying to remember each other’s names and stuff, but we’re not gonna waste any time over there. We’re gonna play some awesome shows and have an amazing time with those dudes.

Is there a chance of you guys releasing another music video before you head to the UK?
I don’t know if we’ll release it, but I’m pretty damn sure we’re gonna film it.
POZ: Can you announce what song that will be for?
John: I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say at this point, but we’ll be doing it right after the tour.

What would you say is the main difference between shows in the US and the UK?
People seem more concerned about the music and less concerned about other things, but that could’ve just been the instance that we had when we were over there. I’ll tell you how the second time goes around the next time I talk to you and we’ll be able to gage it better for sure.

Are there any plans to release any b-sides from Black & White before 2011?
Absolutely. When we get home we’re going to mix it down and make sure it all sounds good and then hopefully it’ll be out ASAP. I’m not sure when it’ll be out time wise, but we definitely have some and we’re gonna release them.

Besides heading to Australia in the spring, which I believe is their fall, will we be seeing any more US dates appear in the winter?
Absolutely. Once we verify all of that they’ll be up on the Myspace and the website, so I guess stay tuned.

Thank you so much for your time, is there anything else you’d like to add?
Come see us on tour and thank you all for your support, and thank you man for the interview.