Monday, August 11, 2008

Warped Tour 2008 Interview: Audelio Flores of Set Your Goals

Following their first full-length, Mutiny!, in 2006, Set Your Goals have toured with the likes of Anti-Flag, Alexisonfire and Big D and the Kids Table. They also made an appearance at the Bamboozle earlier this year. Now on the Warped Tour, I had the chance to find out how things are going and what's up next from guitarist Audelio Flores.

RnRnMN: How has the Warped Tour been treating you?

AF: Warped tour has been great, just a really long summer camp with good friends. Kids have been awesome. Can't complain. I got used to showering with my solar bag. (laughs)


RnRnMN: What made you decide to join the Warped Tour this year? Has it lived up to your expectations?

AF: Well we did 2 weeks in '07 and wished we could have done the whole thing. So when we got offered '08, we couldn't say no. It has lived up to its expectations. We've been able to hang out and party everyday.


RnRnMN: Are these the biggest crowds you've played for? How does it compare to playing smaller shows?

AF: They are some of the bigger crowds we've played. Like Boston was insanely huge for us. It always is. It’s like playing at home. Nothing compares to playing the smaller shows. They are more personal and intimate. But the upside of playing the Warped crowds is that we get to play to new audiences.


RnRnMN: Who is the best band you've seen on the Warped Tour this year?

AF: It's hard to real say who's the BEST band. There are so many great bands like Beat Union, Four Year Strong, Farewell, Ludo. There's so many good ones. I really liked Bedouin Soundclash. Also, watching 3OH3 is always fun. The Smart Punk Stage has a lot of great bands.


RnRnMN: There are a lot of bands to choose from. It's overwhelming when you get here and look at the schedule. Why should someone see you?

AF: Because we are here to have a good time and we have nothing to prove. We are just here to do what we love and that's music.


RnRnMN: The Warped Tour has corporate sponsors like AT&T. How do you feel about that? Is it a good thing, a necessary evil or a sellout?

AF: What does "sell out" mean? If Warped Tour didn't have the "corporate sponsors," Warped Tour will no longer keep going. You need their money to be able to fund bands' guarantees. We need to be able to make some kind of money, at least enough to eat and get to the next date.


RnRnMN: Your brand of hardcore is on the melodic side. Do you find that expands your fan base? Does it help get your message out?

AF: I didn't know we were a specific brand of hardcore. I think our fan base has expanded a lot because we are not scared to tour with different styles of bands. We try to get our music out to every kid possible. What helps you get your message out is touring, touring and touring. That's all we do and we love it and we thank all our fans for all the support you have given us. If it wasn't for you guys coming to our shows we would not be a band. Much LOVE!


RnRnMN: If you could give the kids at the Warped Tour one piece of advice, what would it be?

AF: Do what you love on your own terms and don't let anyone tell you different.


RnRnMN: What are your plans after the Warped Tour?

AF: Work on some new material and get a new record out. But also get back to our families. We are all a bit burned out right now and being able to go home to reality will be good for all of us.



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See all of my coverage from the Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on July 16, 2008 here.

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