The Classic Crime - Sound In The Signals Interview
You released What Was Done Vol. 1: A Decade Revisited recently. Tell me a little about how the project came together and how long you guys had been thinking about it?
Matt MacDonald: We've been thinking about it since we released the ‘Seattle Sessions,’ an acoustic EP back in 2007. A lot of people have responded well to that EP over the years, and so we'd been wanting to explore something more acoustic for awhile. We tracked that old EP in one week, and it was pretty rushed, but this time we wanted to really dive into the songs and layer them. The fact that the opportunity to make an acoustic record coincided with our ten-year anniversary was just that, coincidence. But we also hadn't ever re-recorded our songs acoustically, so we figured it was a two-birds-one-stone type of project.
What was the process like in choosing what songs you would revisit for this album?
We started with songs we already knew we wanted to re-do acoustically. Some songs we'd already played acoustic versions of live that we liked, and others we'd had ideas about for some time. At one point we'd raised so much more than we needed we decided to add two more songs, and let our backers decide those ones.
Did you have to cut or not have time to record any particular song you really wanted on the album?
It's decidedly "Volume 1" so we can leave space for a "Volume 2." So yes, there are more we would like to do.
This year is the tenth anniversary of your band. A decade is a long stretch for any band. Looking back from the inception of the band until now what do you think two or three of the biggest changes are to both the band and maybe personally as well?
We started out wanting to be rock stars, wanting to be rich and famous. For good, of course, but I think our motives were a little selfish. We thought we were the best band in the world, basically. I think now we realize that all that stuff is worthless. We've grown up as people, through struggle and unmet expectations. We've come to a better understanding of our role in music and the role music has in our lives. It's a smaller role, but we do it because we love it, and we don't expect too much out of it, which is a better place to be I think.
I read a review that compared the album to the side-project from Matt & Toby of Emery due to the softer aspects of the music. Do you agree with that at all? Did you uncover anything about the songs and the way they made you feel when they took on this new life?
Sure I guess so... it's still very TCC, but just a different vibe, or perspective on it. That's kind of how Matt & Toby translate to me, still sounds like Emery but a different mood in general. I think the songs did take on a bit of new meaning as I re-sung them. A lot happens in ten years. Life happens, and so my perspective on those lyrics has changed. A lot of them have lost meaning, while some have taken on new meaning. It was fun to discover them again.
What's in store for the future of your band? What would you like to accomplish next?
We would love to continue to make music for as long as people will continue to support it. Hopefully another full length record!
I guess that about wraps it up. Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. Do you have anything else you would like to add?
Just to check out What Was Done, Vol. 1: A Decade Revisited on iTunes and listen to some samples if you haven't... I think people are generally surprised when they find it's not a stereotypical acoustic album. There's a lot more to it.
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