By: Nora E. Lindner

The New Jersey-based band, Like Trains & Taxis, is only like the public transportation systems it’s named after in that you really don’t want to miss them. Made up of Chris Harris, Owen Susman and Mike Del Priore, this trio has already made a name for itself as a band to hop a turnstile to hear. Like Trains & Taxis’ tunes are “one part soul, one part pop, one part jazz, and a dash of rock and roll tossed in for good measure.“ 

 And that might be exactly the best way to describe it. It’s poppy soul, catchy jazz, and lighthearted R&B. Most of all, it’s unique in its blend of genre, style and instrumental content. With a drummer inspired by jazz, and instrumental adversaries piano and vox interchangeable at every measure, it’s no surprise when a violin is added to the mix. While songs like “Day Wrecker” are hauntingly eclectic, others like “Separate Lives” are delightfully -- yes, delightfully -- upbeat. Their best, however, might very well be “Goodbye Argentina,” a not-so-tearful sendoff with defiant undertones and heartfelt indifference.

Harris’ voice is smooth and effortless, beautifully casual. The thick layers of instrumentals neatly wrap each song into what one might call the literal definition of “easy listening” -- it’s perfect for any occasion, except an elevator ride.

Nora: If you could start by stating each of your names and the instrument(s) you play:
Chris Harris: Vox/Piano
Owen Susman: Bass
Mike Del Priore: Drums

N: Why did you decide to start a band? What was your original concept?
Chris: I think as a songwriter, the original goal was to find a way to get my songs out there. For me a band was the most appealing way to meet that end. A couple of the songs from our upcoming album, “Charlie” for example, were written years ago. At the time I had a real fear of performing my music in front of people, despite the fact that I’d been performing in front of people for most of my life. A band, even if it only meant one other person (and for a while it did), provided much needed support. Beyond that, and perhaps most importantly, is the way the songs are able to breath and ultimately live in a more sophisticated way because they’re colored with influences beyond my own experience.

N: What did you grow up listening to? Do you see any connection between it and the music you play today?
Mike: I grew up listening to the Grateful Dead as well as all kinds of jazz and classical music. I still listen to most of the same stuff and I still spend many nights digging through my parents’ enormous collection of LPs — all of which influence the music I make in one way or another.
Owen: Beethoven, Puccini, The Beatles, Buddy Holly. I can't pretend there is a direct correlation, but they are elements that this music shares with the arrangements I'm involved with.

N: What inspired you to start playing music? Do you remember a moment when you knew it was what you wanted to do?
Owen: I can't remember what inspired me to play music because I can't remember a time before I was already playing music. I think I was taking a trip back from Cape Cod when I was 4 and I was singing “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road.”  That may be when I decided it was the only thing I cared about. 

N: Where does the name Like Trains & Taxis come from?
Chris: The task of finding a band name was becoming rather elusive for me, so I decided to pick up a random book, open to a page, and choose a name based on the first thing I saw. The book I picked up was a Fodor’s travel guide and the page I opened to happened to be the transportation section. The first thing that caught my eye were paragraphs about trains and taxis. From there I added the word “like” to the beginning and the name “Like Trains & Taxis” was born.

N: You recently went to Chicago to record. Tell us about it.
Owen: I think that one should be completely entrenched in the art they are creating, that’s why removing ourselves from our area was essential to not being held back by the mundane.

N: What's your song writing process?
Chris: Generally I’ll write the song (chord structure, melody, lyrics), and together we all create the arrangement. It’s kind of like making a movie. I’m the screenwriter, director, and lead actor so a lot of it is my vision, but it wouldn’t be nearly as good without the contributions of the rest of the band.

N: What has been you biggest challenge as a band?
Chris: Our sound, and knowing where it fits in. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to say we’re doing anything that radical. I’m just saying we haven’t really found a community that’s doing something close to what we’re doing. Not that we care about aesthetically fitting into a scene, but others seem to care about the fact that we don’t sound like them. As a result, we’ve had a difficult time building a real fan base. A lot of bands generate a following by being part of a community that’s based either on geography, aesthetic, or a combination of both.  We’re from New Brunswick, which is a punk town, so that obviously doesn’t work (which we learned the hard way), and since we don’t sound like any of the music that’s popular in NYC right now, it’s hard to get someone to let us on a good bill. Ultimately, I think the fact that we’re kind of doing our own thing will be an advantage.

N: What are your future plans? What do you want for your band? Any upcoming tours/plans for another album?
Chris: We want what most bands want: the ability to do this and nothing else. It’s kind of like that now but it’s a struggle. Even so, I don't think any of us would have it any other way. We plan on releasing a three song digital EP in early September which will serve as a prelude for our upcoming debut full length album. Once the album is released we’ll tour extensively in support of it. We’ll also have some dates scheduled around the EP which we’re looking forward to.

Like Trains & Taxis debut album, Like Trains & Taxis (2008), can be purchased online through the band’s Myspace.