Interview with One Exit Down

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today? 

Jacob: I started playing flute and piccolo in 5th grade, and later piano my sophomore year of high school. The defining moment was when my friend Lucas, of the band Propolis, taught himself guitar and started writing songs almost immediately. I felt inspired by him and began teaching my self guitar when I was 17. Ever since then I’ve only gotten deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole of music. 

Richie: As a young kid I took a liking to guitar hero, and before I knew it I was asking for instruments for Christmas and birthdays. I love playing music for myself just as much as I do in bands for others! If I weren’t into music, I think I would have gotten into some sort of craft. 

Kevin: My Uncle is a guitar player, and he would always play at family gatherings growing up, so I was really inspired by how he could hold an audience of friends and neighbors and such. I was also a really big Weird Al fan as a kid. He was probably my first music fandom as a kid. So I got started songwriting by doing parody songs like him. They were very bad, but it was a start. If I didn’t have music, I don’t know, I’d probably still be doing something creative like painting or photography.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

Jacob: When I’m not doing music I’m usually managing the state of Illinois’ wine sales for work. Outside of that you can usually find me playing video games, exercising, or watching tv. My wine job has lots of windshield time, so I’m often writing songs in the car through voice memos. The job itself has taught me competitiveness and resilience, so since starting it I’ve made a point to see most things I start to their full completion. Video games have surprisingly been a big spot for me to pull creativity from. Soundtracks, stories, and characters from games like Halo, Assassin’s Creed, Doom, and Spyro have inspired many songs, imagery, and ideas for the One Exit Down project. 

Richie: I really enjoy playing video games with friends, and watching documentaries. I also like to get outdoors and explore new cities and places. I think keeping my brain stimulated helps my creative process. I take more of a compositional role when writing typically and love to try to take themes that could be familiar and putting new spins/feels on them. 

Kevin: I love to cook, so I’m usually looking up and trying new recipes. I kind of missed the bread baking boat back in the halcyon days of 2020, but I’m starting to get more into that too.

How long has your band been around?

Jacob: One Exit Down was originally conceptualized in 2019 with most of our debut record’s songs being written during the Covid shutdown of 2020. This current lineup of OED has existed since late 2022. I’ve never been so excited to be in a band with anyone as I have been with Richie and Kevin! It’s definitely the dream team for me!

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

Jacob: One Exit Down as a project is based out of Detroit. When I lived in the Detroit area I would say my inspiration a lot of the time came from friends, other bands, and classic rock. In early 2023 I moved to the Chicago area while Richie and Kevin stayed in Michigan. I’ll be honest I’ve struggled to make friends out here, but the loneliness I’ve experienced out here has allowed me to get very honest with myself in my thoughts and emotions. Much of that is reflected in the music we’re writing now, as it is some of my favorite songs I’ve ever written and significantly more personal than the our debut record. 

Richie: Detroit and the metro area has always seemed to have a strong local music scene. I always have felt there’s a strong sense of originality between a lot of bands around here throughout the years. People aren’t afraid to play what they want, and I think that variety can be very influential. 

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

Jacob: When I was in college I worked at a hotel off the expressway just down the street from U of M’s campus. I lived close to Eastern Michigan’s campus at the time and would often confuse which exit I was supposed to take to go to work. I remember talking out loud in my car one morning going “is this my exit? No, it’s one exit down” and this the band name was born. On top of that, growing up in the countryside between Toledo and Detroit, all the cool stuff was at least one expressway exit away from me. So to me our band name represents the desire to always be moving forward and changing. 

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

Jacob: Two come to mind right away! In September of 2022 we played a block party on Michigan State University’s campus to probably about 600 people. It was one of the largest shows I’ve ever played and I had a blast taking the audience by the balls and commanding at my will. We gained A TON of fans that night. The second show is when we got to open for Marcy Playground, Eve 6, Wheatus, and The Verve Pipe in August of 2023 on Jackson, MI’s, Rockin The T Box festival! We actually got to meet the Eve 6 guys and the singer of Marcy Playground. Super cool dudes!

Richie: Rock n the T Box fest was a definite highlight for me. Playing outside on a big stage and playing for people who otherwise not hear us was awesome! 

Kevin: For me, I really loved my first show with these guys. It was a couple years back at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor. I knew deep down during that first show that I’d be making music with Richie and Jacob for a long time.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Jacob: I think my favorite venue to play is The Ottawa Tavern in Toledo, OH. There’s always a crowd, and show goers there are constantly looking for their new favorite band. I really wanna play The Loving Touch in Ferndale, MI, and The Empty Bottle in Chicago, IL. 

Richie: I don’t have any specific venues, but I would love to get out to more festivals and things like that. 

Kevin: One of my favorite venues is The Loving Touch in Ferndale. One Exit Down has yet to play there though, but we’ll have to remedy that really soon.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Jacob: Green Day, Joyce Manor, and Blue Smiley! 

Richie: Pinegrove, Mannequin Pussy, Blink 182, Weezer!

Kevin: Us (obviously), Rage Against the Machine, and Sugar Ray

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Jacob: I would emphasize to people to not be afraid to be yourself and to try new things. I struggled to be comfortable in myself and try things that weren’t popular in my local area. If I felt that way I assume there’s someone else out there who feels like I did. Your music is a reflection of who you are and what you’re going through when you write it, and if you aren’t honest and genuine with yourself then I think your music will reflect that. 

Richie: Practice! Get out there and talk to people, engage! Don’t be afraid about what people think of your art. Practice more! What would I tell my younger self? I think that’s a hard one to answer. I feel pretty good about the band and the way things are going. I think the only advice I could give ourselves is play more shows! 

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

Jacob: Don’t be like the triple AAA gaming companies and release unfinished songs or play half baked shows. Make sure you have things sounding exactly how you want it before release, and that you are properly practiced before playing a show. When I started out I had released music just to get it out there even though it hadn’t seen a producer and played sloppy shows just to play show, but that definitely wasn’t the best approach. Also, I know it sucks and it’s expensive. But save your money from shows and merch to record, don’t go into debt and use personal savings for the music. 

Kevin: Never be the most experienced/talented person in the room. That way, you can learn something valuable from pretty much anyone. What I say if I could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be? Don’t take performing so seriously. I see pictures of myself when I was younger with my head down standing still just staring at my guitar. I’d tell myself to have more fun with it and be more free.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Jacob: For me right now it’s “Don’t Stop Me” which is our latest track. I have a motivation to make One Exit Down my full time and pursue music to such a high extent that I never have before. I want to become the best version of myself and make the most honest representation of myself in our music and videos. I’ve let multiple facets of life stand in my way of my dream in the past, but I’m not letting anything stop me anymore. We’re meant to make it, and I’m going to prove it to the world!

Richie: I really like Sidewalks. It’s honestly very fun to play and probably my first favorite song of the band’s. I think it really encapsulates the sound of the band at that point. 

Kevin: “People Pleaser” always stands out to me, sometimes I feel like I’m just doing things for others’ approval, and that song kind reminds me that’s no way to live life.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Jacob: My favorite ones to play are Crashing Cars, Drugs, and Sidewalks. I’d say we get Sex, Crashing Cars, and Sidewalks requested the most though. 

Richie: Sidewalks is my favorite! 

Kevin: My favorite is probably still “Passenger Seat.” It was the first new one we worked on after our debut album, and it has so many new elements for us that we’ve been so inspired by in the past year of writing.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

Jacob: Our process is always changing. As of late it’s been me making demos in Illinois and sending them to Richie and Kevin for notes, ideas, and help where I get stuck. Pretty soon Richie and Kevin are going to write some tracks for me to sing to and then I’m sure we’ll have one of the most dynamic rock sounds on the internet! 

Kevin: Yeah, Jacob is definitely the primary songwriter, but then he hands the skeleton of a song to Richie and I so that we can add elements and all work together on structure, harmony, and little licks here and there.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

Jacob: Most of our messages relate to love and heartache. With “Don’t Stop Me” I was trying to get across that you should never abandon yourself or your dreams. The songs we’re working on now the messages have been about more topics too like addiction, abuse, trauma, and the struggle to believe in one’s self. 

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

Jacob: I don’t know that the 3 of us have had hardly any disagreements. We’re all pretty agreeable people, and it feels like we listen to each other very well. 

Richie: I think we are actually pretty respectful of each other’s opinions. All of us want this band to be great, and I feel we are all on the same page. I can’t recall many disagreements at this point to be completely honest. I really don’t think you could find more easy going people than the 3 of us. 

Kevin: We’re like the most boring band because we don’t really fight. If there’s a disagreement, I guess part of being a 3-piece is that there’s no chance of a tie if something gets put to a vote.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Jacob: We’re working on playing a consistent minimum of 2 shows a month around the Great Lakes States, having a consistent scheduled release every 6 weeks, and working on new ideas. Coming out very soon here we have a new set of remixes for our track: “Drugs”. We’re all very excited about it :)

Richie: Our plan is to release lots of good new music this year, get our name out there, play a lot more shows, and conquer the world! We may even be announcing new music soon!