By: Jamie Steinberg
Q) How would you describe your sound?
A) Usually, I answer this question by saying, “Oh, it’s the kind of music with guitars, you know?” Then, people are like “duh” and I’m like “exactly.”
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) Jeff Rosenstock, Frank Turner, John K Samson, Joyce Manor, Laura Jane Grace
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Hangover Cure.”
A) It’s a song where I describe what I do when I’m hungover, which rarely happens because I rarely drink nowadays. I guess it’s also a reflection on how normalized alcohol is and how bad it is for my mind and my body. Maybe someday I will 100% stop drinking, or not, but I have a weird relationship with alcohol now. Like, sure, it can be fun, but I can definitely have fun without it. Do you know what I mean?
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I guess alcohol is so common that everyone has had a reflection on drinking and on how you feel when you’re hungover. But it’s most likely the catchy part after the chorus when I sing “I’m never gonna die” that probably gets the people who listen to the song to enjoy it!
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
A) To be honest, I didn’t think about this. I had this idea for a video and my friend (Alex Charron, aka Tracy) helped me film it. It was shot in like…seventy-five minutes. Then, he took care of the editing/colouring/all that stuff. I just wanted to have the camera doing circles during the whole video because I thought it was a good fit with being hungover. Alex had enough wisdom and told me it was a bad idea because people would feel nauseous. Thanks, Alex.
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) Hey eh, no. I usually start with melodies. I hum melodies while walking my dog or while I take a shower or while I sit down doing nothing. Then, I record it on my phone (just my voice humming the melody). I start from there and then I build the songs around it.
Q) What are some themes you explore on your new album A Good One?
A) Wasting time, finding peace, doom scrolling addiction, alcohol, feelings of inadequacy, the culture war that extends the gap between us, the futility of fighting technology, the anti-nostalgia feeling and much more, give it a spin!
Q) Frank Turner lent a hand with mixing and mastering on the album, but how much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) Yeah, that was awesome working with Frank. He was very helpful in making the record sound the way it sounds. And I’m very grateful for it. My friend Karl Houde also helped me out (he recorded the drums and he also helped me record and produce the album).
Q) Which track(s) hold a special significance for you and why is it so close to your heart?
A) “Haunting Highways” and “I Ain’t No Fish.”
“Haunting Highways” is a great song to play live solo, especially when a crowd isn’t 100% silent, because they usually shut up during the first chorus. After all, it’s a quiet song. There’s also this line where I say “everyone is talking about nothing all the time” that kinda makes me smile every time I see people talking. [laughs]
“I Ain’t No Fish” is a special song because I listened to a bunch of Billy Joel and I was like, “Hey, I should try to play piano.” I’m not very good at it. But I came up with this song right away. It’s a song about the fact that I’m doing my best, but I ain’t no fish, so it’s kinda hard to breathe underwater and I’m not a famous musician, so I can’t sell out arenas either and I’m not a very handy guy, so I can’t really build a house, you know?
Q) Is there a song from the album that you’re most excited to begin performing live?
A) Yeah, I’d say “Milk Run.” High-energy song with a cool vibe.
Q) What message or emotion do you hope fans take away from exploring A Good One?
A) There’s hope in the little things that you enjoy doing.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) Can I say Frank Turner again? Also, Jeff Rosenstock would be on top of my list.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) Currently listening to Don’t Worry, The Penske File, Katacombs, Blurry Eyes, Laura Stevenson, All My Friends Have Kids, The Lookout.
Listen to them and then you’ll understand why I dig them. [smiles]
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) I do not believe I have fans! I feel like I have befriended everyone who enjoys what I do. [laughs] But hey, if you’re a fan, send me a message and tell me you enjoy my music. I’m a small independent artist and whenever I read that message, it means the world to me.
Also, the best way to support artists is to buy merch at shows or online or buy a digital album on Bandcamp. If you don’t have the money, you can just like/share what I post and stream my music on the streamies. Like, do it, stream my album on repeat all night for a couple of nights and boom. There you go, you gave me a little bit of money.