Big Little Lions – Alive and Well

By: Robert Warren

Q) Starting off, please give us a snippet into the creative process you went through to create the upcoming album Alive and Well; how did you go about creating the title and how did you go about creating the songs that came together to make this album?

A) Our creative process varies from album to album. For this one we were coming up with some songs that seemed to have a reoccurring theme to them. And whether intentionally or unintentionally, each song from then on seemed to fall into a theme of hopeful optimism responding to an undercurrent of anger. It’s like we were being our own mediator within the songs. “I’m pissed! This isn’t fair!” to “Now just settle down, how can we bring some good to this situation?”

“Alive and Well” was one of the first songs we had written for the album. And when it came time to come up with a title, that one seemed to reflect the overall mood the best. Things are exactly going the way we want, but here we are alive and well, and thankful that we are.

Q) In the new upcoming album Alive and Well, you take human frailty turn it to something beautiful by using optimism to drive hope and it just works so well; how do you find so much hope in times when it can seem hopeless? How was it bringing that hope/optimism to this album?   

A) We think overall we are both pretty positive people. Sure, we can get angry and grumpy sometimes, but it usually ends with a laugh. And we don’t think we can help but reflect that in our music. It just comes naturally.

Q) In the song “Static,” you all talk about simpler times and simpler themes during a younger age. What do you think it is about this song that has made it such a fan favorite?

A) We think you can use the success of a show like “Stranger Things” as an example of why “Static” resonates with people. Folks love nostalgia. They love reflecting on and romanticizing the “good old days.” This song has an innocent quality to it that instantly endears it to the listener.

Q) Refusing to walk away when you want your voice to be heard, there is a great forceful optimism in the song “Our Turn,” where you revolt to take your turn to be listened; when do you think it is most important for people to stand up for themselves?

A) Standing up for yourself should be something that everyone should do, on a smaller scale, each and every day. It seems today there is a learned helplessness and that needs to change. And people need to know that they do indeed have the power to make a change. Whether big or small.

Q) You talk about bringing relief in ways such as breaking into a smile in “Big Mistake,” when the world is sad; why do you think relief is so important to the world nowadays and how do recommend people bring relief to a world when it can be hard?

A) Everyone needs relief from the current status of the world news. We’d all go mad without some sort of release and diversion. That’s why people have always turned to music and comedy in times of struggle. Funny cat videos are a good recommendation

Q) The last two songs on this beautiful album are “Kind” and “Do Better” where you really hit on what we should be striving for as humans, trying to treat each other with kindness and love. With that said, are there any moments you can tell where you just witnessed a beautiful kindness or love that perhaps we should strive for?

A) There isn’t anything specific, but we believe if you open your eyes you can see acts of kindness all around you every day. We are both fortunate that we live in communities where there are kind, generous people all around us.

Q) You both have been recognized for your writing so I have to ask, what role do you feel songwriting has on the world and in what ways do you feel it can shape it?

A) Well, songwriting has had an enormous impact on our lives. So much so that we decided to pursue it as a career. Songwriting can inspire or it can just be a means of escape. It can bring you back to a specific moment in time. It can change your mood in an instant. It can make or break a party. It can make you fall in love or it can heal a broken heart.

Q) Where do you begin to draw your inspiration for your songs as songwriters and how do you envision songs to become their final product?

A) It could either be world events, a quirky notion or a very personal situation. We think the songs unfold naturally into their final product as we are working on them.

Q) How was it coming together to create Alive and Well? Is there any favorite moment you had working together?

A) Well, for the most part we work separately on the tunes. Via email. But on the track “Big Mistake,” we were snowed in in a small cottage in Park City, UT and we started messing with a tune that eventually became that song. That was a rare, but fun songwriting moment. Being 2000 miles apart, we don’t get too many of those.

Q) Who are some artists that inspire you? What is it about them that gives you inspiration?

A) Paul Simon and The Beatles are a common influence for both of us. Helen says Joni Mitchell, ABBA and Leonard Cohen as well. Paul says The Police, Stevie Wonder and Ben Folds, too. We think the simple yet subtlety complex melodies, the soaring harmonies, the superior songwriting craft, the energy and the lyrics are all things these artists possess and what has inspired both of us.

Q) This album is just full of optimistic energy that drives its course through the album while hitting on deep topics. What message though do you hope listeners take away from the album as a whole?

A) That we have more in common than divides us. If we realize that everyone has struggles, then maybe we can be kinder to each other.

Q)  What advice would you give to other artists seeking to break into the music industry?

A) We will tell you when we’ve figured it out. [wink]

Q) There is lots of optimism in this album, where do you find so much optimism?

A) We are both very fortunate to have very supportive spouses and that keeps us grounded and confident that things will be ok.

Q) Lastly, what would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A) We really appreciate everyone who is touched by our music and cares enough to spread the word. The thought that one of our songs can have a positive effect on someone is very humbling to us.