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Interview: Eddie Fisher of OneRepublic

Singles blow up overnight, artists rarely do. Most musicians pegged as "overnight sensations" are really the product of years of hard work and dedication. Such is the case with OneRepublic. Signed to Timbaland's Mosely Music Group, the band is made up of musicians who have paid their dues in the business and are just now seeing the fruits of their labor sprout into large-scale recognition. When Timbaland put his Midas Touch on their single "Apologize," with a punched-up remix, the song soared straight up the charts and propelled the group into the big time. We spoke with drummer Eddie Fisher about OneRepublic's newfound fame and how they're learning to live in the spotlight.

You guys are all over the place right now, you can't turn on the radio without hearing "Apologize." How does it feel to have huge success with this song compared to what is years and years of work as a musician up until now?

It kind of feels fun, it feels kind of loud. It's like it's finally paying off and our work—all our blood, sweat and tears—is being recognized. It's pretty surreal. "One minute it's not on the radio, and one minute you can't not hear it. You turn it on and it's everywhere".

Do you ever have to feel like you have to clue people in to the fact that you guys didn't just come out of nowhere? You're all really accomplished musicians who have been in this game for a long time.

Occasionally there have been some moments like that. Like, "Hey, we're a white rock band." They never know until they take the time to find out the information. There are so many bands that have been around for ten years and when they get their radio start, it's like, "Oh yeah, who's this?"

You guys are now signed to Mosley Music Group, Timbaland's label. I see he executive produced on the album. What's it like working with him and making music with him?

He's great. He comes in the studio and knows what he wants. He knows what he wants to hear. Sometimes he doesn't know what he wants and sometimes he sits in the corner and beat boxes something outlandish—just crazy stuff—and it comes out to be like magic. He has definitely got the Midas Touch.

The Timbaland remix of "Apologize" is the version that's really blown up. Is there ever any element of surprise when you come out—people who are surprised by what they see?

There has been some surprise, but not too much. A lot of people are like, "We didn't know they're a white band," which is fun, because we don't want to be in one genre. Our music is for the people, not for any race, religion or sex; it's for everyone.

You're on an artist run label. Do you feel like he [Timbaland] understands what making music is about more than a typical suit?

Yeah. He lets us do what we do best. He comes to terms with the little man. We gave him the "Apologize" remix and we were skeptical, but he brought it to us and we were completely happy. We trust him, he trusts us, and it's easy.

The album is so well produced, it sounds great. The melodies themselves are so strong, there is so much composition that goes into it. There's piano at work, there's guitar at work, there's cello coming up in there. What is your creative process like? How do you guys take all of that and go into the studio and make these great packages?

It changes. One guy will come in with a guitar part, or a bass part, or even a vocal, or piano part. I lay the drums down, or sometimes it's a loop, or even a drummy sound in the key of E. The magic just happens. We recorded our first song on the album, "Say," in 30 minutes. When we were done, it gave us chills, and that's what we love about our music. It gives us chills.

I know you guys are from Colorado, is there a happening music scene there? Do you feel like it helped nurture the sound that you have now?

I'm actually from Orange County, but being in Denver, there isn't really much of a scene. I love Denver, and I love Colorado, and you know, I don't live there unfortunately—maybe one day. It is a beautiful city where Drew and Zack and Ryan have been. Ryan wrote "Apologize" looking outside his father's huge cabin window overlooking the Rockies. You kind of get an influence of music through where you're living. I guess I can credit Colorado for that.

You came from Orange County, but a lot of the other band members were in Colorado. How did you all come together to make this unit?

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