Byland – Gray

By starrymag | October 1, 2020

By:  Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Cinematic, Indie-Rock is what I usually say when asked. I write with a full band in mind, but intentionally try to write timeless songs that can stand on their own, even when played acoustic. My voice has been likened to Brandi Carlile, Sharon Van Etten, and at times, Enya. [laughs] I like that I don’t lend myself to a specific genre.

I’d like my “sound” to evolve with me and I feel that it has. My first record was a lot more folky, “saloon-esque” and very sentimental. This record has more electronic tendencies, is very string heavy and has a more produced and intentional feel.

I also decided to experiment with time-signatures other than 4/4, which I had a lot of fun with.

 

Q) What are some of your musical influences?

A) Right now:

The War on Drugs – …for their quality of TONE and the way they can build and layer, sometimes using the same four cords the entire song long. Their music inspires me to keep it simple, but intentional.

Deep Sea Diver – Jessica was my guitar teacher while I lived in Seattle and is one of the most incredible guitar players I’ve ever met. I love her music and the way she owns her place, the stage, as well as the line of women in music she represents.

Manchester Orchestra – For their big, cinematic, vast sound. Their record I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child was the only CD I had in my car in high school and I’m pretty sure they’re always going to be an influence to me musically.

Q) Tell us about the story behind the song “Mine.”

A) “Mine” is about me realizing that energy is finite and that I can give myself permission to say no. Because I grew up idealizing the notion of giving without limits, when I felt drained, I thought there was something wrong with me. But last summer I was feeling especially emotionally and relationally exhausted. I was struggling with severe anxiety even trying to accomplish simple tasks I normally enjoy and the unanswered texts, emails and calls I had stacking up was overwhelming.

I sat down at my piano and started playing what I felt, grasping for a sense of stability within myself.

“Mine” was born – a mantra to myself that it’s okay to have boundaries. I intentionally wanted the rhythm and offset melodies to feel abrupt at times, to express the sense of being pulled in polarizing directions.

Our producer, Nate Yaccino helped bring it to life, along with Abby Gundersen’s cinematic strings and Meagan Grandall’s haunting harmonies. 

Q) You have mentioned in other interviews how “Mine” digs deep into emotional wounds. How has writing this album helped you overall not only musically but also personally?

A) To be honest, this album was an investment. Our first record was very DIY and for this one we knew the songs deserved to be produced well and we also knew that for me to progress in my career, we needed to take a risk.

This was very uncomfortable for me because I’m not used to asking for what I want. But I got over myself, worked really hard, wrote some songs I was incredibly proud of and was then able to work with some phenomenal people in the industry to bring them to what they are today.

When I think back now, I realize how much I’ve grown because of making this record. But saying yes to this meant saying no to other dreams of mine like buying a house, having a kid and traveling more.

Looking back now, I can honestly say that the growth was well worth the cost, personally and financially. I would not trade any of those things for having the ability to have created these songs with the people I got to make it with. It’s a piece of me now.

Q) Which song on GRAY was the most personal for you to write?

A) I had the immense honor to co-write some of these songs with my husband, Jake. But there were a few that I wrote alone when I was very present with my emotions. One was “Mine” and you’ve heard about that already today. But the one that really strikes me when I think of “personal” is… “Grow Old With Me.”

I feel a little anxious when I talk about this song because it’s one of those songs filled with complicated and conflicting emotions, feeling two things at once: GRATITUDE for my life in Seattle, and what I found there. I found immense creative support, radical acceptance, and loving family. But I also found myself with extremely crippling anxiety, seasonal depression, and constant pressure to produce content, keep up with the hustle and advance my career “before it’s too late.”

When I wrote “Grow Old With Me” I was in a discontent place of knowing there was MORE out there for me – more peace, more happiness, more creativity…but I didn’t want more stuff, I wanted less. I wanted simplicity – physically and emotionally. I knew that I needed change, but I was afraid that I would be misunderstood if I was honest. But I’m an “honest to a fault” type of person and as soon as I wrote this song, I began sharing my feelings with my family and that was one of the first times I was told “it’s okay to feel two things at one – gratitude for my past, and excitement for my future”.” Since writing this song, I’ve moved back to my hometown of Albuquerque WITH my husband. We have a much simpler life – less stuff, less business, but SO much more time, ease and space. I feel like we’ve found more with less.

Q) What do you hope fans will take away from GRAY?

A) I believe that it is important to process. This record was my way of processing some of the things in my life that have been complicated. I also went to a lot of therapy. [laughs] My hope is that listeners take the time they need to process through their own, complicated life experiences to find a safer and more peaceful space within themselves.

My hope is that we can be a bit better at listening to our bodies, which I believe is one of our greatest teachers.

Q) When GRAY is released on October 2nd, will there be a virtual listening party for your fans?

A) YESSS! That will be a huge day and I would love to celebrate with all of you! My goal is to be present because damn – a lot of WORK went into this and it deserves a GOOD listen!

I can’t wait for the vinyl toooo!!! Details to follow on my instagram: @bylandmusic

 

Q) As live music is currently on hold, what is something you miss most about performing live?

A) Here’s something: I’ve basically never played a show with the same band twice. There was always a different version of my songs, which made each show special and unique. There were parts about that that I loved. But since I finished GRAY, I’ve been working to build a lasting and reliable band fam. When I moved to New Mexico I got some of my oldest buds together and they’ve worked their asses off to learn this record. That is ALWAYS a humbling thing, when someone takes their energy and puts it into learning YOUR song. I was really looking forward to letting you all hear this record in its live state. BUT that’s something I’ll continue to look forward to. And I can’t wait. And I hope you sing along.

 

Q) Being raised in Albuquerque, how has your experience of living in New Mexico helped to shape the music you create?

A) I have a huge respect for music, art and culture because of my growing up in New Mexico. I’m extremely proud to be from here. One thing I love about NM is the literal openness. I can always see for miles, and for me, that helps foster the feeling of spaciousness and ease. There’s enough time here. There’s enough energy to accomplish what I need to do. There’s enough support because we are family.

I remember when I was making the music video for my single “Albuquerque” a few years back. I felt totally secure asking like one hundred people to be a part of something I was creating. There’s just an overwhelming assurance of community, support, family, love and belief in each other. We all want each other to succeed. I think that has contributed to my creativity in a huge way. I’m not creating because I fear that I’m behind. I’m creating because I’m inspired and supported.

Q) What album from your music collection would you consider a “life-changer?”

A) Brandi Carlile – “Give Up The Ghost”:

This was close to when Brandi covered “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley. At the time I was only allowed, because of my conservative upbringing, to listen to “Christ-centered music” and I think because there was a “Hallelujah” in this song it was assumed that it was religious. [laughs] I was on the worship team at my church around this time, but we always had to change the key for every song so I could sing it. Up to that point, I had always felt like there was something wrong with me and my voice because all the music I listened to was sang by perky, upbeat soprano singers…and my voice was different. But when I heard Brandi sing for the first time, it altered everything I knew about female vocal performance. She let her voice be. She wasn’t trying to emulate anything and I could feel the freedom. After that I felt like I had permission to sing however the hell I wanted, in whatever key I felt was right for my voice.

 

Q) In your downtime, what is one of your favorite covers to play?

A) “Wild World” by Cat Stevens for sure… It reminds me of my late Poppa. He used to blast this song on Saturday mornings to wake all us kids up for our weekend chores.

Q) Who would you consider your dream collaboration?

A) I mean…Brandi Carlile for sure.

Also – The National.

Also – The War On Drugs.

 

Q) What would you like to share with your fans and supporters of your music?

A) THANK YOU for being here and for being present with me, especially during global pandemics and such. The music community needs each of us – specifically performers and venues and local shops…Music is magic, and we’ll all make it through this with each other’s help and support.

 

 

 

All Questions Answered By Alie Byland