Artist description The Staircase Diaries is an emotional Rock band.

Music Style Emotional Rock

Musical Influences Thursday, Radiohead, Counting Crows, The Mars Volta

Artist History In a time where radio waves are filled with nothing more than the same three dry songs playing day in and day out, The Staircase Diaries, an emotional rock band from Southern California, has somehow found their own way to break the curse of repeating previous successes. Consisting of the four members Zac Courie, Dan Hopkins, Jonathan Fan, and Scott Pooley, The Staircase Diaries’ debut album “I Did It for the Best of You” is an original blend of art, talent, and overwhelming intelligence. This intensely driven nine-tracked record is filled with songs dealing with depression, romance, heartbreak, and abuse. With profound lyrics and haunting melodies, The Staircase Diaries has set its goals and is diving headfirst into an undoubtedly successful future. In a small bedroom drowning in guitars, microphone stands, Fender amps, and broken acoustic E strings, lead singer and front man, Zac Courie, sits in the center of it all with a grin on his face as he reflects on the band he has created. With a debut album out and a band with unstoppable determination, there’s not much Courie has to frown about. As he softly strums the opening chords of the band’s classic, “Back to Loving,” he stops to explain the band’s courageous ambitions: “We have no fears. We are only determined to have the positive attitude to get us where we want to go.” With all the expectations the band has for itself, it is no wonder why it is essential for them to obtain an optimistic state of mind. After all, they hope to sell at least five hundred records within the first six months of their September release, play nationally within the next year, and accumulate a fan-base of at least a thousand people by the end of 2004. Needless to say, they are sacrificing their hearts and souls in order to shake hands with their planned destination. “I Did It for the Best of You” will no doubt be a hard-hitting success, but it will also create an audience connection that goes deeper than today’s typical rock band. Contrary to most records on the shelf, “I Did it For the Best of You” is an album that takes you on a vivid journey from beginning to end. It is almost a drug becoming more and more addictive with each listen. With inspirations with such bands as Radiohead and Thursday, the album drips with honesty and has songs that share a common theme. “I would have to say this is a concept album. Most songs refer to suicide and what provokes related, depressing thoughts,” Courie shows. However, he points out, the album’s purpose isn’t to influence any self-destructive behavior. “I want these songs to help people through hard times just as songs I love have helped me,” he confesses. “These songs are offered as coping methods.” And coping methods are exactly what they are. With songs like “Dear Diary” and “The Trap Door in the Staircase,” the audience can’t help but relate to Courie’s heartfelt words with music that couldn’t fit more perfectly. “There’s not one song on the album that I don’t have a personal connection to,” Courie is quick to say. “I have a certain pride for all nine tracks. No song [on the album] was ever meant to be a filler track.” With such an incomparable sound, some songs may take more than one listen to understand. But each one has its own feel, significance, and contribution to the album. As Courie begins to wrap up the scattered guitar cables and snapped strings, he concludes, “I want The Staircase Diaries’ audience to fall in love with the songs simply for what they are, for what I intend them to be-” After a pause to think he concludes with a smile, “a poetic mess.” While his lyrics may very well be a “poetic mess,” they remain to be a true piece of raw emotion and genius, not to mention one of the most important assets to the band. On the album’s opening track, “Late at Night,” Courie calmly cries, “And we’ll sleep on the couch / and we’ll cover her ears / until we both fade away / and we’ll stab at the walls / where there’s already holes in them / I’ll stay away.” The lyrics are clearly personal and nothing short of therapeutic. Still, Courie encourages listeners to find their own meanings to the songs in the hopes that they will build a stronger personal connection. There is no telling what is in store for The Staircase Diaries. Of course the album will build a strong following, perhaps even larger than their initial intent. The lyrics will help many listeners through their own hardships and tragedies. It is, too, certain that their unique sound will reach the attention of record labels. But even still, the four members of The Staircase Diaries will take their success as it comes, aiming for their best while staying faithful to their love for music. The bedroom Courie sits in will always be there with its dispersed guitars, busted strings, pedals with unpronounceable names, and posters of his favorite bands on the walls. Masterpiece songs will continue to be written, albums will keep being made, and shows will always be played. With their undying determination, it is difficult to limit the endless possibilities for The Staircase Diaries. Perhaps they may even be able to introduce some substance to radio waves.

Group Members Zac Courie [lead vocals, electric/acoustic guitar] Jonathan Fan [bass] Dan Hopkins [backup vocals, keyboard, acoustic guitar] Scott Pooley [drums, tambourine]

Albums I Did It for the Best of You

Additional Info Album release: September 2003.

Location Covina, CA - USA

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