Once Upon A Flatline- Not Just Another Band From Buffalo. is a 6 piece post-hardcore band with passionate theatrical and artistic elements. Dedicated to keep up with their motif of storytelling, the band is inspired to have each musical release be concept-driven and tell a story.
Interview conducted on July 21, 2020
By Dan Locke
Once Upon A Flatline has drawn back the black curtains on their third single “Hang Hymn High” from their highly anticipated EP The Theatre Lucy. A Gothic metal/ theatrical post-hardcore six-piece band of musicians who bring Sweeney Todd and My Chemical Romance to life in each of their monumental productions. Their music carries a sweep of dramatic stage presence and it holds their audience captive. “Hang Hymn High” is truly an inspirational storytelling music drama and it brings a needed message.
What is your upbringing?
Justin Flatline- I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York!! There isn’t anything I love more than a nice snowstorm and a Sabres game!
How did you discover music?
Justin Flatline- Music was always a big part of my life at home. I can still remember the days before I was old enough to attend school, there was always music playing at our home. My father felt I had an inclination towards it and brought me home a bass guitar when I was about ten! The rest, as they say, is history!
Justin- Do you remember how you got your first guitar and do you still have it?
Justin Flatline- my first actual guitar was actually a starburst Epiphone Les Paul Junior, just like the model Billie Joe Armstrong used on the American Idiot tour! Or at least, it was the same to me!
Alexis- How did you start singing?
Alexis Valentine- I have always enjoyed singing- as a kid, and was involved in choruses from Elementary school all the way into my first year at college.
How did you start to write music?
Justin Flatline- after a few months of learning some pretty basic power chords the music and the words just started coming to life. Though i certainly wouldn’t call any of them works of art looking back!
Who came up with the concept of the band?
Justin Flatline- Alexis and I were actually inspired to begin this project by the unfortunate passing of a friend. We decided then and there that we were not going to let their story end. This got us to thinking about the Infinite number of lives we each touch while we are still alive, and how those lives change when we go. This all led to the concept that in some way, many chapters begin at the end.
How did you form the band?
Justin Flatline- Alexis and I knew that we needed to form quite the army if we were going to bring our plans to fruition. After some time looking for individuals with ideals and goals similar to ours, our friend Emilee introduced us to our drummer Scrib! Then as time passed, our patience paid off as one by one Matt, Jaycee and Scarecrow came into the picture after that. Time has worked in our favor thus far!
Is everyone in the band a storyteller?
Justin Flatline- ABSOLUTELY. It is our belief that there is not one among us that is not!
How do you describe your band?
Justin Flatline- That’s a tricky one! Generally, I just stick with theatrical metal/ post hardcore. But everyday something else finds its way into our musical cauldron.
Have you ever heard of Mark Freeland the Godfather of Punk, who is from Buffalo?
I have seen some of their art around town here and there!! Though admittedly I haven’t listened to all of the music from over the years, it would be hard to ignore the road that they helped pave. We have had some great folks through these parts over the years!
Have you heard of Bill Manspeaker the puppet master of Green Jello?
Justin Flatline- Again, from Buffalo? Of course!! Green Jello is still pretty active! Sadly, I have never made it out to one of their events, but I would like to believe that in the future I can mend that situation.
What was your first performance like?
Justin Flatline- Once Upon a Flatline has actually had our debut headlining show postponed a few times now with everything going on! Of course, we’re in no rush on the matter, and we’re taking the time to get things behind the scenes further than we had ever hoped to by this point!
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
Justin Flatline- We released “For the Wretched of the Earth” as our introduction of ourselves to the world. We recorded it and released it some time ago, but the future of the track may still be unclear.
How did the band get its name?
Justin Flatline- As i mentioned before, we have been amazed at the way lives are changed when a friend is lost. So many different stories are written with them a part of them, and in that way, they live on. We hold this principle quite close to our hearts.
Your album is almost done. Tell me about it?
Justin Flatline- The album takes place in a haunted theatre, where its sole residents are the spirits trapped there performing their songs in an Infinite loop.
You just released your latest video “Hang Hymn High”. What is the backstory of the video?
Alexis Valentine-The video is a lyric video that I made myself, illustrating the story of the song- based on the musical ‘Chicago.’ The song is the response of the speaker who had enough of her abuser. At the end of the video, to include a positive message as well as the option to help anyone who may be suffering from domestic violence in their own homes, we have included information on how to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
What is your favorite track on the album?
Justin Flatline- My favorite track on the album is the last song! Which has not been announced or released just yet =]
How do you stay healthy while touring?
Justin Flatline- When the time comes, we have a pretty decent plan to stay healthy! Obviously, vitamins and as balanced of a diet as possible! Throat Coat is a favorite of ours.
What are your feelings about streaming music?
Justin Flatline- Streaming music has made it more possible now, more than ever to get your music heard all over the world!! That really is amazing to me. In the years before social media bands would have to do MUCH more traveling just to get their names out there! Which of course we still plan to do!
Digital vs. vinyl?
Justin Flatline- Easy. Nothing beats a great vinyl spin.
Any plans to tour?
Justin Flatline- Absolutely! Though we had hoped to be setting up a tour this upcoming fall, with things on hold for the better of everyone right now we’re somewhat putting the trip on the back-burner.
Alexis- Do you think the Me-Too Movement has helped female performers?
Alexis Valentine- I think the Me-Too movement has helped all women, everywhere.
What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?
Justin Flatline- I personally believe that the social injustices towards minority groups in the United States have been going on unchecked, for far too long. People should not be afraid of the very institutions that are meant to protect them.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what is the meaning that song means to you?
Alexis Valentine- We’ve been on a pretty big Hamilton kick since it aired on Disney Plus. Obviously, we’re musical fans, but it really blew our expectations out of the water.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Justin Flatline- i believe shows will be at a standstill for quite some time, and moving forward will be changed even more. I hope that people take the situation seriously enough to keep themselves safe, along with the people they care about.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Justin Flatline- My place of employment has actually remained open for the duration of the quarantine, so I’ve been working this whole time! Though I certainly miss my friends and family.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Justin Flatline- Really the only new skill I have acquired is doing my day to day things as normal as possible, but in a mask!
Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Are you planning to do something like that? I saw something about the Brady Bunch, but with Emos?
Justin Flatline- We actually live stream pretty frequently on our social media channels, and have thrown in a song here and there! Though we do have some more plans!
Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
Justin Flatline- I really don’t think so. Fortunately for our band we are in a place where we are not necessarily hurt by this fact at the moment!
First it was an article in the New York Times, then Rolling Stones talked about it and finally Live Nation CEO said that concerts may not start again until fall of 2021. Do you think this could happen?
Justin Flatline- I believe the MCR tour is already rescheduled for then! We shall see!
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it may be the end of music fest for the next couple of years?
Justin Flatline- I could see that being the case. I believe that safety is top priority! So, the wait will be well worth it!
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Justin Flatline- That would be sick!! I’ll be keeping an eye on the opportunity for sure haha
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
Justin Flatline- I see myself and the people I hold most close being happy, healthy and on the right path to our chosen destinies!
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Alexis Valentine- We have an awesome track coming out on September 9th. It’s really exciting, and we’re being incredibly cryptic about what song it is, so head to our website or social media accounts for clues and to hear it when it comes out! We are not stopping the momentum of Once Upon a Flatline because live music is currently canceled, so stick around, join our Flatline Family, and get ready for some great songs before the year is out. Wear a mask, Black Lives Matter, wash your hands, and be kind to one another.
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