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Ruth, Roving reporter

FReeZA Presents: The City In Motion

The City In Motion have been touring the Melbourne music scene since 2008. They have established themselves as a solid, vibrant band with their catchy tunes and growing fanbase. As they prepare to launch their second album, Retrograde, frontman Ian Koletsis chats to us about the journey so far.

Please introduce us to each band member and tell us a bit about their personality.

• Ian Koletsis - Vocals/Guitar. Sucker for a pop melody, loves catchy music and having a good time. Loves meeting new people each and every day and talking music and life with whoever is open to it!
   
• Tristan Oliver - Bass/Keys. The funny man. Remembers endless quotes from comedy sitcoms and movies. Always up for a good time. Definitely the brains of the band!
   
  
• Mathew Tehan - Drums. The internal manager. Owns the house we all live in and provides a home for TCIM. Hard-working guy who is constantly thinking about the band and furthering himself as a drummer.

What is the story behind The City in Motion? When did you form the band and how did it all come about?

TCIM began in mid-2008 after we had been playing together in various other bands. The three of us just felt very comfortable writing music together and decided to take on the project that has now become TCIM.

Being close friends through high school, we have been playing music together since we were 16, which has helped us understand each other as we combine all of our different tastes in music and styles of writing to form the unique sound that is TCIM.

Can you tell us about how you came from just starting out to where you are now?

In the early years we played lots of pop-punk cover songs, playing at friends' parties for fun. It was hard starting out, playing any shows we could, dragging all of our friends to every show and trying to impress whoever was there.

We loved every minute of it, though, and I believe that is what has helped us get to where we are today. We still love it and no matter how far we get with our music we will keep writing new and improved songs as often as we can!

How did FReeZA help you over the years? What opportunities did they give you?

FReeZA has been a great support of TCIM, putting us on local festivals and events all through out our local shire. They have given us spots playing battle of the bands and in our early years, in other bands, have really helped us grow as musicians through their positive feedback and endless support for live up-and-coming bands.

Who writes the songs you play? Where do the lyrical ideas and themes come from?

We all share the writing, which is what makes our music unique. One of us will come up with an idea and the other two will dissect it and use that idea to build our songs.

Generally Tristan and Ian will write the lyrics. Ian's lyrics will more often than not be about "the journey" and all aspects of life that involve being in a band. Tristan, however, is a genius in his lyrical ability, writing powerful lines to really emphasise what the songs are about and getting his message across!

We write about what matters to us and hopefully our music can help others growing up just like the music we've listened to as kids has helped us!

What kind of experience do you try to give the audience with your live shows?

We pride ourselves on having an elusive, energetic live show! It's physically straining for us, but when the songs start and you’re running on pure adrenalin you can't help but get into it!

We try to involve as many people as we can and build a connection with our audience. We want everyone to be a part of TCIM and what better way to do so than getting everyone involved at our shows?

What can we expect from your latest album? Where are you recording it? When will it be officially released?

Retrograde has just been finished! We recorded the drums at Sing Sing Studios and the rest was recorded at our home studio, "The Man Cave", with acclaimed producer/engineer Jimi Maroudas.

We are having an EP release show very soon, being announced on our MySpace. However, for those of you who are keen you can buy it directly from our MySpace already!

Where do you want to see TCIM in the future? Do you have future plans or ideas?

TCIM is a band that will be around for a very long time! No matter how far we get, we love what we do too much to give it away! We are planning on touring throughout July and August 2010, so stay tuned for details.

Check out The City in Motion on MySpace at www.myspace.com/thecityinmotion. For more information about the FReeZA program, check out www.freeza.vic.gov.au, and for more articles about Arts & music, check out our Articles archive.

Lyrics: "Retrograde" by The City in Motion

Let's build a force that can not be reckoned with
Let's leave behind everything that we regret
And we'll go and we'll fall and we'll follow our dreams tonight

We all fall when it's unavoidable
We all do things that we wish we could recall
And we'll go and we'll fall and we'll follow our dreams tonight

But when you run and you look the other way
And you turn your back 'cause you've got nothing to say
And when you look back on everything you've lost
You've got that bridge to cross

But don't lose sight of the dreams you hold inside
Take heavy breaths as you cast your fears aside
And we'll go and we'll fall and we'll follow our dreams today

Let's start today and take what comes our way
Don't hold it back now it's harder what to say what we think
About what we've lost

But when you run and you look the other way
And you turn your back 'cause you've got nothing to say
And when you look back on everything you've lost
You've got that bridge to cross

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