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Luke Esterkyn (Stroke 9) Interview

© Chad Bowar

Stroke 9 was a band that took 10 years to become an "overnight success." The group formed back in 1990 as part of a high school class. Their senior project was to record a demo tape. The band slowly gained a fan base while playing together on summer vacations and winter breaks. By the mid '90s the band was a full time job and Stroke 9 released a couple of CDs on their own label. After touring for a few more years the band drew the attention of major labels. They signed with Universal and released their breakthrough album Nasty Little Thoughts that launched the hit single "Little Black Backpack." Their 2002 album Rip It Off didn't do as well and Stroke 9 parted ways with the label. They're going the independent route with their new album, All In, although they had songwriting help from mega-producer Butch Walker (Avril Lavigne, The Donnas). I recently conducted an email interview with Stroke 9's lead singer Luke Esterkyn.

Chad Bowar: You started on an indie, went to a major, and are back on an indie label. What are the pros and cons of being on a major label like Universal?
Luke Esterkyn: The pros of being on a major really all revolve around the amount of money and exposure they have access to. The cons all revolve around dealing with the frustrations of trying to understand why their business model is set up the way it is.

How would describe the sound of this album compared to your previous work?
I don't think it's that different at all.

How did you decide on the title?
We're intrigued by the poker craze that swept the nation.

How does Stroke 9's writing/recording process work?
The new album was written entirely in the studio. Either John or I would record a musical idea and occasionally revisit it and add new ideas until it was finished.

What have been your favorite places to play live?
The 9:30 Club in D.C., The Fillmore in SF, All House of Blues.

What bands/artists have been the most fun to tour with?
We always have fun touring...we had particularly good times with Fuel, Bif Naked, Cupcakes, Vertical Horizon, Jimmies Chicken Shack, and Boys Gone Wild.

Any strange items on your tour rider?
Not really...we do request hooded sweatshirts from every college we play.

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