By Marian Daniells, News Staff
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63TfH0baESE[/youtube]
Video for Never Shout Never’s “Harmony,” the title track of their new album.
Indie acoustic pop musician Christofer Drew Ingle, better known as Never Shout Never, released his newest album, “Harmony,” Aug. 24 and is set to play Boston’s House of Blues Nov. 17.
The 19-year-old high school dropout, who has toured with pop band Hellogoodbye, Ace Enders and The Scene Aesthetic, is currently on his Harmony Tour with alternative rock band The Maine. The two acts are turning the tour into a food drive, hoping to gather 6,000 pounds of food for food banks. If the goal is reached before the tour ends Nov. 27, both bands promise to release three live tracks in December.
The Joplin, Mo., native spoke with The News about making music, education and how he plans to recraft his image.
Huntington News: You were 16 when you started producing music as Never Shout Never. How did you get started?
Christofer Ingle: Well, I guess I started back when I was around 14, my dad showed me some stuff. … And then I discovered this thing called the Internet, started recording songs and putting them on there. And then, I guess that’s pretty much it.
HN: Why the name Never Shout Never?
CI: I was 16 and thought it sounded cool or trendy or something. I’m kind of over it. It’s kind of a lame-ass name and, I don’t know, I don’t like it anymore.
HN: What artists or people are most influential to you?
CI: I like a lot of pre-’70s … people like Bob Dylan and [Woody] Guthrie. And modern stuff, I like The Wallflowers and Ryan Adams.
HN: How would you describe your sound?
CI: I’d say it’s a very real sound … I try to keep the lyrics pretty real, too. Lately, I’m just trying to rediscover my sound right now, because what I’m doing now feels like it’s bland; I feel like I’m still 16.
HN: How are you going about rediscovering that sound?
CI: I’ve been listening to a lot of music, lately … trying to capture a new sound. I’m writing songs differently. I like riddles and I want to write songs that are riddles.
HN: How has your sound changed since you first started producing music?
CI: When I first started, I kind of just did whatever I could. I was very limited and I was just recording in my basement. So I did a lot that wasn’t just acoustic and vocals. It was more computer-generated. But now I’ve got a lot better instruments. Also, I’ve got some friends that play really well. [We’re] just kind of branching out. I’m trying to keep it pretty real because I feel like all the [mainstream] music right now is pretty computer-based, not real. … It’s very digital.
HN: Where do you draw your inspiration?
CI: From observations. Observing the world and then translating, taking it in my eyes and ears, all my senses, and then letting it out in the music.
HN: What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment?
CI: I’m really happy I got to send my sister to college, that was pretty [expletive] awesome … it was really cool.
HN: You dropped out of high school, but is education still important to you, then?
CI: I guess whatever education you want. I believe you have to learn to be successful at what you want to be successful at. … I think that college can be a good thing if you’re going into a job where you need a degree. But sometimes, you need to get out and follow your heart, do what you want, just chase your dreams.
HN: What are your short- and long-term goals?
CI: My short-term goal right now is putting out another record. I think it’s going to be under [the new name] Christofer Drew and the Shout. I’m trying to get my band out there, trying to give them the credit they deserve because they are seriously one of the best goddamn bands I’ve ever heard. We’re going to try to do a rock record. And then long-term, just playing more music, just having fun with it.
Never Shout Never performs at the Boston House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., with The Maine, I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business and Carter Hulsey on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $17.50 to $27.50 and can be purchased online at Houseofblues.com
