Broadside - Sound In The Signals Interview
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| 📸 Alex Zarek |
I recently had the opportunity to interview Broadside. We discussed writing and recording their upcoming album ‘Hotel Bleu’, a favorite part of songwriting, album artwork, and more. Check it out below.
First, thanks for the interview.
Thank you!
You recently announced your new album, ‘Hotel Bleu’. Can you tell me about writing and recording the album?
We wanted to create an album representing the band's current state. We are only a three-piece now and focused on all our interests while maintaining an overall focus goal. That goal is to make bigger-sounding songs to play in bigger rooms. We worked with two producers, Andrew Baylis in Nashville and Andrew Wade in Orlando. Two types of producers that helped really unlock the newest sound from us. Some songs focus on huge production with a singable chorus, while others tap into the weird/artsy side we've always tried to maintain. We feel we've accomplished a solid album with the guidance of everyone involved.
This is your fourth full length. You’ve been an active band for quite a while now. What was most important for you to accomplish with this album in terms of the overall sound and direction of the album?
Further consistency. I feel like it's important to be able to be proud of your band/album. 10 years in, I'm still making music that connects with our fans while remaining true to ourselves. We took a few risks on this album as well, which I only hope that people will, at the very least, commend for trying to evolve the limits of smaller alternative bands.
What’s your favorite part of writing a song at this point in your career?
The chorus. If you’re listening to a song and your ear can't wait to get to the chorus again, that's a winner. Or lyrics that feel like a piece of ice when they're heard the first time, causing you to go back immediately.
I really like the song “Bang”. Can you tell me about writing that song specifically?
I thought it would be fun to write a catchy song about running from your own ending. A lot of people wake up and fall asleep with depression, and I felt like writing a song addressing this "running from the inevitable" would not only help me express my own human trials but also invite people to feel somewhat empowered. We are still the ones making the choices, after all.
The artwork is really interesting and I like it a lot. It captures a different vibe than some of your previous album covers. Who came up with the concept for it and designed it?
We decided we wanted to tap into the "Bauhaus" art style, and after we came up with the album title, we simply merged the imagery. Our Guitar player Dom designed it for us. The hotel holds the stories, and the simplicity of the design also invites people to insert themselves into the frame/stories. At least that's the goal.
The album has some neat guest features. How did you choose who would be featured on the album?
All friends. We've had the privilege of touring with all three guest features on the album. We felt like their specific voices would only amplify the individual tracks. Also, they have some of my favorite voices in the scene right now.
Were there any guests who you wanted to get on the album but it just didn’t work out?
Absolutely. Hoping to work with a few of them really soon! A heavy screamer or something left field like that for us would be sick in the future!
Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. Do you have anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for your time!
Hotel Bleu is a collection of stories, coexisting and offering shelter from whatever is beyond the door or the window, and I hope everyone enjoys their stay!
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