“I’m doing what I love at the age of 21 more than [what] most people do in a lifetime. This is what we signed up for and what we have always wanted, nothing anyone could say could change that,” says Against The Current’s Chrissy Costanza, and that pretty much guarantees her a spot in our ever-exclusive list of ultimate girl crushes. In an email interview prior to their gig later on, we spoke with the lead vocalist where she told us all about her band (which, for those who mightn’t know, is already huge on YouTube with over 1.5 million subscribers to boast before landing a record deal). And it’s safe to say that we’re totally hopping onto the ATC bandwagon – who’s with us?
Hi Chrissy! For those who’re still new to the band, could you describe what is Against The Current all about?
Against the Current isn’t just about music – it’s about a lifestyle, a mentality and a culture. We believe in self expression, in following the maps written in your veins to where you’re supposed to be.
What kind of messages do you seek to convey with your latest album In Our Bones?
Every song has its own message. It isn’t a thematic album so the record as a whole consists of various themes and messages interwoven throughout. Each track was inspired by a different event, feeling or idea.
Launching your career on YouTube definitely has its perks and downsides, so how did it help in expanding your reach to the mainstream audience?
YouTube is an invaluable and platform for anyone, not just musicians, to achieve a global fanbase. We were able to tour internationally from square one and perform on a global platform. A lot of bands are afraid of the “YouTuber” stigma and in turn are missing out on an invaluable resource.
With so many breakout acts in the scene right now, how do you set yourself apart from others?
We set ourselves apart by not trying to set ourselves apart. People care entirely too much how they are being perceived and go to all sorts of odds to find something that defines them as unique and nine times out of 10 they end up just having a gimmick and gimmicks are not artistry. We make the music we love to make and do it genuinely.
What’s an unpopular opinion you have about the music scene, or even the YouTube community?
I don’t know if it’s unpopular, but just that things happen if they’re supposed to. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how little or how hard you work and that’s a hard truth for people. No matter how hard you give it some people won’t ever “make it” and some people will make it with ease. I’d like to see more girls in bands that aren’t trying to follow the mold of other girls in bands.
How do you handle all the negative criticisms that come your way?
I just don’t read them. I’m doing what I love, travelling the world, meeting amazing fans and doing more at the age of 21 than most people do in a lifetime. Nothing anyone could say could change that.
Will there ever be a plan B if there wasn’t Against The Current in the first place?
I do love makeup and will blog about it, but that will never be fulfilling enough for me. I need to be somehow enriching myself. I don’t know what road I’d take, because I have my goals set on Against the Current at the moment. Split focus is never an option.
What kind of band do you want people to see Against The Current as 10 years down the road?
I hope they think we’re cool!
Against The Current will be performing tonight at the SCAPE The Ground Theatre at 8pm as part of their In Our Bones World Tour. Limited tickets are still available here, so grab ’em while you still can!
