Fences - Sound In The Signals Interview
I recently had the opportunity to interview Christopher Mansfield of Fences. We discussed the upcoming re-release of ‘Failure Sculptures’, recording the two reworked songs for this release, details of an upcoming EP, songwriting, and more. Check it out below.
You’re getting ready to have a re-release of your 2019 album ‘Failure Sculptures’. It features two reworked versions of songs from that album. What made you want to re-release the album?
Of course there are reasons beyond my knowledge that are behind a curtain but for me I just think this music would settle in beautifully to the current world and hammer the horse shoes back on for the great running ahead!
How did you pick which two songs you were going to rework for the album and what was it like working on these new versions of those songs?
Sometimes as a songwriter and always as a human being you exist in a POV perspective of everything happening to you. You are without fail the center of your own universe. I don’t believe any meditation or empathy can really remove us from this. When making art work that is hyper descriptive of a certain moment in your timeline it can either have long lasting relevance or become cured. Some songs seem to feel poignant to me long after the dust has settled and I sort of did my little theatre. You’ll notice with lots of songwriters they will have a few songs from every album they seem to keep playing live, be it a “hit” or not. As far as how it felt recording those two songs... it felt kind of pretty to get to sing those words in a form of permanence again.
You are also getting ready to release a new EP. What can you tell me about that EP?
It has a 6 syllable title just like my previous e.p.
The cover looks like a passport photo if my destination is the afterlife.
Is there a song from this upcoming EP that you’re most excited for people to check out? What can you tell us about it so far?
I really like every song so much. I really hate to feel like I’m avoiding the question but it is true... I think Pale King has a beautiful chorus, this may be the most globally digestible.
I’ve always been a big fan of your debut album. I’ve also always been curious about the lyrical meaning and inspirations behind “My Girl The Horse”. Can you tell me a little about writing that song?
It was so long ago as you know but I would say it is truly about codependency. It was also when I truly was starting to hide behind idioms. If I were to reduce it down to something not as sexy, I’d say I really love the powerful imagery of horses. Patti Smith and Bonnie Prince Billy are also great students of this.
What has changed and stayed the same about your songwriting from that first album to your new music?
It feels quite much the same and I think that’s part of its allure for me. The universe is moving so swiftly under our feet and I’ve certainly noticed a rising trend of forced nostalgia. Nostalgia for a month ago at times. I am lucky to have something like this that seems to be preserved and waiting for me to come to it whenever I show it a little bit of respect and attention.
Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. Do you have anything else that you would like to add?
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