Four
Kansas kids making their own noises
The Box Turtles have been stomping around Kansas for many years now, progressively making more and more noise along their way. Their members include Spencer McConaghy, Chris Siegle, Alex Paul, and Max Byram. Like many Turtles before them, they too enjoy sunsets and tasty beverages at the end of a long day. They play soul-curdling soft jams and heart-knocking/ear-rockin' slams. You might remember them from our 2018 concert series Monkey Jam at the Lyon County History Center.
Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?
Some school band experience, mainly learned from mentors such as parents/friends and guitar store employees. Most of our accumulative knowledge has been self taught over years of playing.
What inspires you or sparks your creativity?
Kansas culture.
What projects are you working on now?
Diesel Bros. Express Recording Studio!!
What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?
The band (The Box Turtles) has four members who work too often and sleep too little.
How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?
Outside of regular jobs, probably around an hour individually.
What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?
Our first CD titled "Slow March," and for $10.
When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?
We tend to start with an individual's fleshed out concept, and then bring the rest of the group together on the idea and try to grow each part in the style of the original concept.
How do you know when you’re done with a piece?
Once everyone in the band can perform the piece without notes or questions beforehand, and when the original concept lines up with the groups performance.
What music do you play when you’re making art?
Rock.
Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?
Spaghetti.
Are you bingeing on any shows right now?
Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Trailer Park Boys.
What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?
Our singer, Max Byram.
What’s the last thing that made you cry?
Laughing to tears during our band's Thanksgiving celebration- Bandsgiving.
What are you reading right now?
Seconds- Bryan O'malley
Favorite thing about living here?
All the amazing people in music scene, helping one another achieve personal bests time and time again.
You can follow The Box Turtles on Facebook @theboxturtles.