Nothing beats clearing the air.

On August 16, 2009, I got the chance to talk to... well, AIM chat with Jerry Kansky from Moneta. If you haven't heard of Moneta, you really haven't been to any good shows. From opening up for big bands like Amber Pacific & This Providence to headlining shows that always pack the house, Moneta always has a good show AND a good message.
After a few failed attempts at trying to "meet up" with Jerry, we finally got online at the same time. For the record, Moneta is still a band. This is the story...

Colleen: Alright, ready? What's the meaning behind the name Moneta?
Jerry: Moneta is the name of a character from my favorite book, "Hyperion". It’s actually a series of 4 books about the fate of the human race in the far future. It’s all about the danger of relying on technology more than on the human soul and spirit. Moneta is representative of human strength and hope.
Colleen: Is that what inspired your first EP "Hope"?
Jerry: I think that we try really hard to have a hopeful message in a lot of what we write but, at the same time, we try to be honest about what we are feeling...and no one can be hopeful ALL the time. The hope EP was, for sure, our most overtly hopeful record and our live show at that time was centered round that a lot. "Heroes" was similar, but we started trying to show both sides of hope a little more.
Colleen: How so?
Jerry: Well, there are definite songs that are kind of positive battle cry songs like "We Fall as One" and "Shine" but then there are songs that deal with more negative, dark sides of hope. ...Like "The Getaway", which is about running away and starting over.

Colleen: Your lyrics are so personal, kids have gotten them tattoo'd, correct? What does that FEEL like to see?
Jerry: [It] always really makes me feel like blown away. It’s amazing to see people care about what we are doing as much as we do. Every time that has happened, I feel really grateful to have such dedicated, amazing fans.

Colleen: Do you think Seattle fans are better?
Jerry: I do! But, of course, I am a little biased. Honestly, in other bands, I have played in almost every state in the country, and there isn't a single place I'd rather live. The city has always been so good to musicians.
Colleen: What sets it apart from anywhere else?
Jerry: We have some of the best venues and promoters around. People that honestly care about the music more than the money and the status. Plus, the fans are always so dedicated, we seriously have people that have come to almost every show we have ever played...and that is a ton.

Colleen: If I could travel 3000 miles without breaking the bank, I would just to see Moneta! So, what’s the craziest thing a fan has done at a show?
Jerry: There is one kid that always wears the same shirt every time he comes and sees us...and has us sign it every time. I think I have signed that shirt 20 times at least.
Colleen: I hope he washes that shirt!
Jerry: He totally doesn't. He doesn't even wear it anymore..He just brings it so we can keep signing it.

Colleen: What's the best thing about being a front man of a band?
Jerry: Being able to spend the whole show connecting with people is really an amazing feeling. The more excited they get, the more I get and vice versa...so it’s like a cycle of energy that I have always felt makes our shows so energetic.
Colleen: What song gives off the most energy?
Jerry: it depends but, most of the time, I feel like "The Getaway" is usually the high point in a sets energy for us. That’s when it seems like the show really gets moving. "A Better Defense" feels that way often as well.
Colleen: What song do you guys slow it down with?
Jerry: When we want to slow it down, we usually play "Kid, Go".

Colleen: What are the changes that are happening with Moneta?
Jerry: We have a lot of big changes in the works that are going to make us better than ever. AND we have a whole record of new songs 95% finished which we will be releasing later this year. With that record, we will be shooting a new video and have a ton of new web stuff and merch.

Colleen: What's the hardest thing about being in a band?
Jerry: Well, there is a lot about it that is hard sometimes but really the thing that has always been the toughest in every band I've ever been in is learning how to work with each other and how to communicate in a way that allows compromise and the ability for everyone to be happy. With a bunch of different personalities and communication styles it’s sometimes hard to get everyone on the same page and going in the same direction...which can really stop a band's momentum in its tracks. We have been pretty lucky in that respect and have always been able to work together well enough to keep moving most of the time.
Colleen: Not a lot of bands can say that... and it usually shows during shows.
Jerry: It's a hard thing to do to be able to set everything aside when you walk on the stage. It’s always worth it when you do.

Colleen: What artist have shaped your musical journey into what it is today?
Jerry: Thursday, Taking Back Sunday, and old Saves the Say were a big influence on me when I was starting out in bands, but it was people like David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen that really make me fall in love with music itself.

Colleen: So, you started singing in high school... who or what encouraged you to keep getting better vocally and pursue being in a band?
Jerry: Actually, it was a band named "Day Zero" that was like the first band in my high school...which is funny, because Jason Vena was the singer of that band and went on to sing for Acceptance. I also went to high school with Nick Newsham, the singer for Gatsby's American Dream.

Colleen: if you could step into anyone's shoes for one day... who would it be?
Jerry: Dave Groh. He is exactly the kind of musician that I want to be. He's respected by musicians and critics alike. Fans love his band, he makes consistently great records, and at the same time he hasn't fallen into the image-obsessed pitfalls that a lot of (much less talented and deserving) bands do these days. And above it all he still seems like a totally real person as opposed to a silly caricature of a rock star. Which is really what I want as well.
Colleen: I totally thought you'd say something about Lady GaGa...
Jerry: I do love Lady GaGa, but for very different reasons.

Colleen: What band would you love to open for?
Jerry: Anberlin.
Colleen: really?
Jerry: I feel like in the sea of neon-coated, Frat Boy pop punk and emo-rap that seems to make up what’s popular these days, they are still writing great, powerful rock and roll. I mean a DREAM band to open for would be U2 or Bruce Springsteen but, let’s face it, we really don't have the same fans.


Colleen: What's the biggest misconception about you (personally or band wise)?
Jerry: Personally, I think the biggest misconception about me would be that I have everything totally together and figured out. I reaaaaaly don't ha ha. Anyone that knows me well knows that I’m still totally trying to figure out how the hell to be a person.
Colleen: Isn't everyone like that? What about band wise?
Jerry: I am not sure. I don’t really know any misconceptions people have unless I hear them.
Colleen: Heard any rumors lately?
Jerry: Yeah, I have been hearing rumors lately that we are breaking up. I can say with 100% certitude that we are definitely NOT breaking up. We are taking time off until then to finish the record and get ready to release it. And about me....I don't care who told you, but I am NOT Batman.