Band interview: The Color of May

by Alex Murphy of North Texas Daily

The North Texas Daily met up with local band The Color of May, who recently played at UNT's Eagle Ears Music Festival, to figure out a little more about the foursome, composed of brothers Matt and John Spivey, both 24, Hailey Wynn, 22, and Ryan Hanifin, 22.

Q: Who are your musical influences?

Matthew Spivey: Saves the Day.

John Spivey: I would have to say Nada Surf.

Hanifin: I would say Jimmy Eat World.

Wynn: I like The Beatles a lot.

Q: Who are your nonmusical influences?

John Spivey: It would probably be our dad. We're twins (pointing to Matthew). Our dad is a big musical performer; he sings, plays bass and guitar.

Matthew Spivey: Jeff Goldblum. (laughter)

Hanifin: Jeff Goldblum is a major influence in our lives.

Q: Have you guys put together a demo or an EP?

Matthew Spivey: Yeah, it actually doesn't include Ryan and Hailey, but we all just recorded a song about a month ago, and we're going to be back in the studio later on this month to do a couple more. So it's kind of a slow process this time. We're trying to build up an EP, and slowly but surely we'll get there.

Hanifin: Hopefully we'll have it out by spring.

Q: If you could collaborate with any current artist/band, who would it be?

Hanifin: Andre Benjamin of Outkast.

John Spivey: Scott Stapp maybe. (laughter)

Wynn: Ugh, that's the worst answer.

Hanifin: Again, Jeff Goldblum.

Matthew Spivey: If Jeff Goldblum had a band, that's who we would collaborate with!

Q: Who are your fans?

Hanifin: People who appreciate music.

John Spivey: There was actually an 80-year-old lady who passed away not too long ago who liked our band.

Matthew Spivey: They probably range, I guess, from college-age kids to high school.

Hanifin: That's the thing that's funny. We have a chance to play at UTD, and the reason they want us to play is because one of their teachers listens to our music.

Matthew Spivey: So, let's say 16 to 85.

Q: In light of election season, mind sharing whom are you voting for?

Matthew Spivey: Obama.

John Spivey Obama.

Wynn: Yeah, same.

Hanifin: I'm the Republican of the group.

To check out The Color of May's music and find out about upcoming shows, visit the band's MySpace page at myspace.com/thecolorofmay.