ASkySoBlack - Sound In The Signals Interview
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| Aaron Palmer |
I recently had the opportunity to interview ASkySoBlack. We discussed the writing and recording process for new EP, ‘Autumn In The Water’, writing “See You Scared”, collaborating with New Morality Zine, what makes listening to music on vinyl special, and more. Check it out below.
First, thanks for the interview.
Thanks for having me!
Can you tell me how you formed the band for those who may be unfamiliar? How did you initially become interested in music?
ASkySoBlack started when a band I previously did vocals for broke up, I knew mostly everyone currently in ASSB (Liam, Alec, Norman) through either booking shows or playing in the same circles. I met Vaughn through a coworker and the past year or so has been nothing but fun.
I can't remember a time of life where I didn't enjoy music. The back of my parents car probably gave me a good start.
Your newest EP ‘Autumn In The Water’ came out this year. Can you tell me about the writing and recording process for it?
When we recorded our first EP I already had skeletons for Autumn In The Water (and the next ep) written and recorded on my phone. I can't say much of what I write is deliberate, the songs just happen when I fidget with a guitar long enough. We recorded drums at Timber Studios in New Jersey and did the rest in our friend August’s bedroom in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Recording is a lot like sitting in a doctors office; I honestly hate the process although hearing what previously only existed in the basement where we practice or my bedroom come to life in a semi professional setting is worth the waiting and overall drag that recording can be.
I think there’s some nice evolution and refinement to your sound on the EP. Did you try anything new with your songwriting?
Nothing I do is too deliberate as far as songwriting goes. I wrote Autumn In The Water with the intention to play guitar and sing live at the same time, which we abandoned after a few shows because I haven't been playing guitar or singing long enough to multitask without one thing or the other suffering. Writing this way kind of locks you into what you're able to do simultaneously which is no longer holding back things like vocal melody.
Autumn In The Water saw Liam and Vaughn join the discussion as far as bringing my acoustic demos to life so their impact can't be understated.
“See You Scared” is a favorite of mine from the EP. It also seems to be a fan favorite. How long did you work on that song and did you know it was a special one for the band when it was finished?
That one’s cool, it didn't take long to write at all, once I have the first verse or so decided on the rest just pours out. We were all excited hearing it through the studio monitors when all was said and done.
I think it's incredibly easy to overwork a song to the point where you lose what's important about the song in the first place.
You worked with New Morality Zine for the release of the EP. Why did you choose to work with them? What’s the experience been like so far?
I think New Morality Zine has a really great roster of bands. It's apparent that Nick cares a lot about what he releases and I'm glad we found each other to bring Autumn In The Water to life in a physical format. It's been great all around!
I saw that the vinyl just got finished for ‘Autumn In The Water’. Are you happy with how everything turned out with it? How important is it for you to have your music on vinyl?
The record came out great. Triple Dog Studio did the layout and really understood where we were coming from as far as sonic inspiration and understood where all those bands come from aesthetically. Everyone involved in the art other than my friend Cameron who edited the photos you see in the cover totally missed a spelling error that demanded reprints of the jacket. I think we were all distracted by how good it all looked!
I used to collect way more vinyl than I do nowadays but having the music in a physical format ensures that it'll last beyond a server dying or a company being bought out. It also lets people read your lyrics and look at your faces and just understand what they're hearing a little more.
Is there any chance that we’ll see a vinyl pressing for ‘What Is Yet To Come?’?
I’m pretty sure Wormwood Records is working on a pressing!
Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. Do you have anything else that you would like to add?
Thanks for asking em! Catch us on the east coast with For Your Health from 6/20-7/2 and then with one band or another through the midwest in December.
We have a cover coming out at some point and we're probably halfway through writing another ep which we'll probably finish within a few weeks of returning from our tour with FYH.
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