MusicTree Festival will be going down June 7 – 11 in Manchester, Tennessee. We will be publishing info and features about the bands as we close in on this event. Feel free to check out our coverage from 2012.

Let everyone know who you are, where you are from and what style of music you play.

Mize and the Drive from Murfreesboro, TN – a 6 piece rock ensemble with saxophone, influenced by several genres: folk, jazz, soul, funk, and anything with a groove. Our official site is at www.mizeandthedrive.com or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/mizeandthedrive

What do you do for fun? You know…besides music?

• Lee: Collect autographs from various Star Wars actors
• Ben: Play with the dogs
• Cody: Create internet meme’s
• Nate: Camping when I get breaks from school
• Dan: Hot tub parties that include poppin’ bottles
• Alex: Building things with my bare hands

What was the last song you listened to?

• Lee: Elbow – An Audience With the Pope
• Ben: Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time
• Cody: Milo Greene – What’s the Matter
• Nate: Chris Potter – Migrations
• Dan: CHVRCHES – Recover
• Alex: A Perfect Circle – Gravity

What did you listen to when you were younger? What do you listen to now? Have your tastes changed?

We all definitely listened to a lot of different music growing up. Lee was into Otis Redding, Prince, and Pink Floyd, Cody grew up on the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and all the 60’s & 70’s usual suspects, Ben got into the Smashing Pumpkins, Dan listened to Tool and a Perfect Circle, Nate dug the punk/ska scene, classic rock, and jazz, and Alex liked Alice in Chains, Porcupine Tree, and jazz. The band currently listens to a huge span of music and picks up influence wherever possible – Bands such as Wilco, My Morning Jacket, Elbow, Phoenix, Ray LaMontagne, Muse, Umphrey’s McGee and genres ranging from jazz-fusion, funk, neo-soul, & all spans of rock. Dan says, “No matter the genre, I want to be able to lock and load behind the drum-kit.” None of our tastes have changed dramatically from when we were younger, but we all like to think that we’ve broadened our tastes. Lee says that his focus and attention have changed more than anything.. especially with noticing “production choices and subtle additions.” He is constantly wondering what it must feel like when those small musical choices come together in a big way.

Was there an “ah-ha” moment in your life when you knew music would be the path you were going to walk?

Lee had that moment listening to his brother play piano in the family living room as a kid.. “No music has ever impacted me the way his could. It’s the reason I picked up an instrument.” Alex says, “I may never see music as my real path. It means too much to me to let big choices like that cloud my vision.” The band does want to stay on the Mize path as long as possible.

How did you hear about Music Tree Fest?

through Facebook last year following the Buddy System

How do you feel about being a part of Music Tree Festival?

We are amped to play and grateful to be coming back for a second year.

Do you have plans for Bonnaroo?

Cody will be Mize’s sole representation to the festival this year.

Do you have an album available? Where can we get it? Where can people connect with you online?

We released our debut “Irene” at the beginning of 2012. It’s on iTunes or available through mizeandthedrive.com. We are currently preparing material for an EP which we will hopefully finish this Fall.

Any last thoughts? Shout outs?

MusicTree and Middle Tennessee Music are awesome! Thanks for all the support!