Ships Have Sailed – Stay

By starrymag | August 30, 2019

By: Jenny Vintzileos

 

 

Q) Who would you consider your greatest musical influence?

A) What a difficult question!  If I had to pick, I’d probably have to say Kurt Cobain…but the answer is so much more complex than that.  The truth is that my influences change on a daily basis…I love all types of music and I enjoy leaning into that diversity.  So, I might hear an EDM track randomly that has a crazy hook and exceptional sonic qualities and be inspired by that one day and the very next day (or maybe ten minutes later) I’ll revisit an old Beatles or Pink Floyd track and be floored by the innovative nature of what they were doing for their time.  It’s constantly changing and, honestly if you think about a singular influence, (let’s use Kurt Cobain, for example) consider for a moment who his influences also were (I remember him talking about being a huge Beatles fan, as well as unlikely artists like Abba, etc…) and you begin to realize that everything influences everything!

 

Q) Please tell us the songwriting process of your song “Stay.”

A) “Stay” popped into my head during a really difficult time that my wife and I were going through, in a moment where I looked over and realized how lucky I was to have such an amazing partner to go through the ups and downs of life with.  It just kinda wove itself out of thin air for the most part, but I remember as I was hashing over the lyrics I wanted to incorporate aspects of our personal journey within the story yet also keep it conversational and relevant to anyone who was feeling nostalgic…kinda like an ode to your ride-or-die.  From a production perspective I had this vision of a sort of dreamy retro vibe with these high guitars that are both present and diffused…like a wall of sound without being super imposing.  For anyone interested in a longer version of the story, I shot a few videos describing it in a little more detail: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

 

Q) What made you decide to release an acoustic version of “Stay?”

A) I always love stripping away the production when possible and releasing a very bare and re-imagined version of a song.  I feel it gives the listener a whole new perspective and an opportunity to really feel the lyrics…

 

Q) With an acoustic version of “Stay” just released and even more new music coming this fall, when can we expect a new album?

A) We’ve been getting this type of question a lot!  We aren’t rushing this and we don’t have any announcements to make at the moment, but what I will say is that this year and last have both been very fruitful on the creative side…There is a lot of new music in progress at the moment, but I always like to let the songs help me to figure out how they should be released, so for now we’re rolling out some singles and as the music continues to develop I’m sure it will become clear whether or not it’s an album, a series of EPs, more singles or a combination of everything!

 

Q) Will, you produced your debut EP Someday in 2013. How do you feel your experience in producing has shaped your current creative process?

A) Great question! Honestly, the process of creating Someday was a humbling one, mostly because I quickly discovered I wasn’t as good a producer as I thought I was going into that project.  I had to ask for help at all stages of the production and mixing process in order to get things to sound the way I wanted. So, in the two years between Someday and Moodswings, I really dug into learning as much about production and mixing as I possibly could and applying all those learnings to the new music. That’s a process I’ve continued with, both with the music that becomes Ships Have Sailed year in and year out and also with the other artists I write with and produce for. What I’ve learned is that you literally should always be learning…trying to exceed any expectations you have for any given project, and in that way, I feel like we continue to grow more and more as we release new music.

 

Q) Since that debut EP, how do you feel your sound has evolved since then? 

A) I think there’s been a really clear evolution, but we’ve also stayed true to our roots in a way…yes, Someday was less polished than Moodswings and my production chops continue to improve, but stylistically speaking, while we do evolve, the spirit and philosophy behind Ships Have Sailed has stayed consistent.  Kinda like a “silver lining” approach to even the most dark and moody subjects and an introspective approach to pop music as a whole.

 

Q) Of all your songs, which one is the most personal to you?

A) Really tough question. Truly all of my songs are personal to me – I write largely from experience (occasionally from an observation that just moves me in a profound way) so I’ve kinda leaned into the personal aspect of songwriting…but if I had to pick it would have to be “Escape.” That song just felt so incredibly vulnerable to me and it was a crazy process to create it…With that said, I really feel that these songs only get more and more personal over time.  I’ve been doing my best not to hold back when pouring myself into the creative process…So, if you’re hearing it, it means I’m feeling it (if that makes sense).

 

Q) In the past you had the chance to perform at industry showcases such as SXSW & CMJ Music Marathon. What was the biggest lesson you took away from those experiences?

A) That this industry is all about stamina!  Really, we learn so much each time we have opportunities like this that it’s hard to pick the biggest lesson, but I would say the biggest thing I try to take into each show or in-person networking opportunity is the importance of each individual interaction. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a conversation with a label A&R or publisher or booking agent or with a single fan near the merch table – music is about connecting with people through art, so every opportunity to connect face to face with someone should be respected to the fullest.

 

Q) If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

A) This is another answer that changes frequently, but at the moment I would love to set up a collab with Andrew McMahon. His writing is just so image rich and personal…You can always tell it’s him, which I think is so special in a musical age so saturated…would love to have the opportunity to co-write / produce something with him.

 

Q) What music are you currently listening to now and why do you dig them? 

A) I’ve been digging into the Hiam catalogue recently – I’ve always been a fan, but I’ve really been digging in. I love the kinda unassuming raw musicianship that they bring so effortlessly!  Also, I’m really loving The National. They continue to evolve, which is always fun to follow and Matt has just the most chillingly beautiful baritone…love them.  I’ve also been listening to Coin and Moontower…super fun bands in the indie pop vein.

 

Q) With more new music on its way, is there a potential tour in the works?

A) We’ve had a couple really great opportunities for touring almost materialize this year and if and when one of those becomes a reality, we would never turn it down. We try to play live as much as possible, but we are also in a creation cycle. So, while we’ve been playing frequently here in Los Angeles (and we’re looking forward to Indie Week in Toronto this November) our main focus is in the studio this year.  We never rule out touring opportunities and can’t wait for our next chance to really hit the road!

 

Q) What advice would you give to anyone starting in the music industry?

A) Be patient, hone your craft, be as good a person as you would hope to encounter yourself and always be ready for when an opportunity comes along.  Also, very important, make the time to take care of yourself…This is a long road and it takes a lot of energy…It’s easy to burn out, so make sure you’re allowing yourself the time to refuel!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your music? 

A) THANK YOU!  No, seriously, our fans, supporters, friends and family are the reason we get to continue to create so the most important message for anyone who has supported this project over the years is one of heartfelt gratitude.  It takes a lot to keep moving forward some days. This is a business of severe ups and downs, but anytime I start feeling dejected about anything I find that someone slides into my inbox with a personal message about what our music means to them…It’s uncanny how these stories come in at exactly the right moments…and I remember why I started creating to begin with. The process of expressing myself through song has truly guided me through some of my greatest moments and also some of the most difficult ones and the fact that these creations are doing the same for people all over the world is simply humbling, and I’m so grateful.

 

 

All Questions Answered By Will Carpenter

 

 

Watch the video for “Stay”