PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your latest project is – and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?
Right now, we’re sitting on a humongous backlog of tunes. We’re really looking to get as much music out as we can, and are currently working on an EP with some new songs. We are very excited, as we had a new bassist come aboard in October, and are really starting to gel as a group. With two primary writers, we have a lot of solid stuff in the wings, waiting to get laid down.
The Recording Process: There are so many interesting ways that music projects come into the world these days compared with what artists had to struggle through years ago. Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way. Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?
Well, we’ve learned a lot of what we like and dislike in the recording process since we have all been in bands with recordings for many years. We are really taking it piece by piece at this point, as our biggest obstacle is just having enough time with work, families, et al. and really getting enough quality time to play the music we love.
Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you’d like to share here?
One thing that we think is cool about our new jams is the point of view Tyler has brought to a lot of his tunes. He does a good job of writing from other vantage points, as he actually has written two awesome songs from the perspective of dogs. We all love dogs, as the band collectively has eight dogs among the four of us, so you can say we’re big fans. Some of our new songs have more of a Soukous style to them, so we are really trying to tap into a new genre and feel and that is super exciting!
As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are you thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of the changes helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?
I think it’s great that there are so many channels and avenues to hear music from. You are able to be a lot more niche in your tastes and in turn, you can connect with people on a deeper level. The flip side of that challenge is that it is hard to find who those people are: are they in your city? Are they far away? It’s hard to connect with folks sometimes, not knowing exactly where to start with so many options.
Along the lines of this discussion, it would be really interesting to get your thoughts on what you think the future of ‘music enjoyment’ will look like in the coming years? How do you personally enjoy and ‘consume’ music? Any trends you’ve noticed with your own habits compared to, say, 10 years ago?
A few of us use Spotify for its immense access and reach. If we buy music, we get the Vinyl, CDs, or high-res downloads. We don’t know how much radically things can change from here, since music essentially will be in a digital or physical format to some degree.
We would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them? Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?
Currently, we have our 4th (including harms on the fly) EP in the works. Swim is really starting to create a sound of its own and we are quite excited for our friends and fans to taste what we have marinating! We will continue the “Digital as we go” means of release, with the hopes to maybe do some rad physical presses once we accumulate the next treasure trove.
What are you finding that is working well for your music right now that others may find interesting to hear about?
We have a very open approach to our song creation. Either Tyler or Dylan comes up with the main guitar lines, and vocals, and then we finalize the song together with a good jam session, where we lock down Charley’s bass lines, and all get together on what part of the harmonies (high, mid, low) each of us will fall in.
Okay – time for some light humor! Spinal Tap Moment: dig deep. Locate. Relive. Share that special ‘trauma’ with all of us!
We have all been lucky enough to this point to avoid any major life-altering trauma. The hardest part right now about being in a band is honestly just trying to find a good 6-7 hours per week where we can all get together and improve on what we have.
Is there a particular musician(s) you’d love to collaborate with – and why?
Dylan – I’d like to jam with Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes. I love his literate lyrics and ear for melody and harmony. He’s an amazing writer, to me.
Charley – I’d love to have jammed with Ray Charles, as jazz and blues have been a huge influence for me, ever since I picked up a sax and played blues for the first time in 7th grade.
Tyler – If I could share the stage with any current artist, it would without a doubt be Foxy Shazam. Aside from their absolutely gnarly stage antics and killer live shows, Foxy has some of the catchiest vocal hooks and stimulating guitar vs trumpet leads to hit the airwaves these days. You’ll have a hard time sitting still while listening to these guys. To Mr. Eric Sean Nally: You, us, a St. Bernard with a barrel of finely aged barley wine…let’s do this.
Advance apologies: the so-called ‘classic’ questions. What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: “Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time”? (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust us!)
1) Pet Sounds
2) Abbey Road
3) Highly Refined Pirates (Minus the Bear)
4) SMiLE
5) Dude Ranch (Blink 182)
We’re always trying to find new music discover here at PGH – what are some of your favorite music releases of the last few years?
– Morgan Delt’s self-titled
– The new one from Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
– Haim’s self-titled album
– Tony Molina’s album “Dissed and Dismissed”
– The short beach album from Cayucas.
– Vampire Weekend
– Foxy Shazam
– FUN
– Grouplove
Yes, it would be great if most indie musicians could work on music full-time but the reality rarely the case for most of them. I am always asked by music fans, what are the careers or full-time jobs that the musicians of the music they are listening to do…so ‘what’s your main gig?!’
Dylan – I work in the outdoor industry as an account services rep.
Charley – Dylan and I worked together as Customer Service Reps. I am now a web content coordinator, for the same company.
Tyler – I am a Project Coordinator for a large health care conglomerate.
Marc – I am an IT specialist for a major automotive company.
Okay, last question: Where can we hear more of your music and any other releases you have?
All of these are currently playing older songs, without our new bassist Charley Wilson. But, we are almost finished with our new EP, and will have 5 new songs very soon. Here you go:
Best,
Dylan (guitar, vocals), Tyler (lead guitar, vocals, bass), Charley (vocals, bass, keys), and Marc (drums)
