How long have these songs been around?
Ryan: Some a few months, others a few years. Two songs; "I was there" and "Nature of your game", were written only a few months after the release of the album "Ten Car Stereo"
Joel: As Ryan said, some of these songs go back as far as our first album, bits and pieces anyway. We've got a large chunk of music on tape and on paper that we've been pulling from for years, as well as a lot new stuff that we work on as we feel inspired.
Do you think there is a distinct "sound" or "feel" this time around, as opposed to previous Elvyn records?
Ryan: There's definitely a more consistent sound to this album. A modern take on the way songs use to be written thats very heartfelt, and the melodies are very important with hooks that should grab you on first listen. Intense at times but laid back enough that even your grandparents should enjoy them!
Joel: Absolutely! We've been working on this particular album for, I hate to say it, but literally years. This album really should have been "The Big Bay" in album form, at least that was the goal when we started "The Big Bay". But as the saying goes "better late than never". The sound is as we heard it in our heads, at least for myself as a fan of classic Power Pop and rock,was very distinct. There was a conscious effort to make every part whether it be a vocal or guitar riff...be as catchy as possible while still keeping the 3 minute (maybe a little longer) song structure in mind. The aim being that when the song starts you get the tune in your head, and when it's over it's bouncing around your head all day... hopefully! This idea has always been the same for every thing we've released, I just think we nailed it a little better on this album.
Jeremy: Growing up in the U.K., it was always American music that held the greatest fascination for me. I was into the Smiths and all the obvious stuff, but the music community can be very capricious back home. I remember getting a music magazine with a CD attached that had a Guthries song on it when I was probably in my early twenties, and I was blown away by the respect for tradition that musicians in Canada combine with a really adventurous streak. This record is interesting to me because it doesn't sound like it is of a certain period; it could be from fifteen years ago or yesterday, and I really think that's a cool thing.
What was the recording process like, and how did it compare to Ten Car Stereo and The Big Bay E.P.?
Ryan: The recording of this album was a very long process, but also quite an interupted one. The album was actually scheduled for a release about 3 years ago, with the 4 songs from the Big Bay E.P to appear on the final full length album in a remixed form. However life and family and having kids came into the picture, and although this slowed things down I believe the slower pace of recording contributed to solidifying the consistency of the album. It became quite the challenge to mash 5 years of recording together into an album that has a sonic consistency, but I think we managed to do it.
Joel: It felt like the longest process ever! We did everything ourselves for this album, which was a big load to bear. We wrote, produced and recorded the entire album ourselves with no outside input whatsoever. But all in all it was fun creating and restructuring the songs as we went along. Ryan spent more time mixing and re-mixing these 11 songs, more than myself, just because he could. Recording music has changed a lot over time and with current recording technology you can leave a mix for a few days, a week, a month and come back to it with fresh ears and almost always want to change something. The trick is to say when enough is enough. I think we made the tracks sound the best that we could with the equipment we had at our disposal.
How do the songs evolve from the initial ideas to the final arrangements?
Ryan:Most of the songs start out with a solid hook, either vocally or through a guitar riff or Bass line. If the song becomes a "problem song", where your stuck and feel uninspired then there's always something in the old "Elvyn Recording Vault" that can make things work. They usually get combined with something that may have been an idea from years ago, or taken from other problem songs. We try to make it a habit to always have some type of recording device at every practice. Once the song gets its basic format it gets developed from the basic 3 or 4 chord song into an orchestra of riffs, harmonies and other instrumental layerings until it reaches it's full potential.
Joel: It's a strange process, but it almost always starts with an idea that we've worked on at a practice session or something that we stumbled upon; a riff, a drum beat or a bass line. Other times Ryan will bring in full structured songs that just need some fine tuning or arranging.
What are the challenges of being an indie band, and what do you feel sets you apart from all the other bands out there?
Ryan: Being an indie band you can find yourself getting discouraged quite quickly. It's tough to be in charge of everything from booking shows, practicing, writing songs, promoting your music and shows and recording and it can wear you down. We've been playing for 13 years as "Elvyn" and sometimes we still barely clear our bar tab! Most indie bands would have ended years ago, but being close friends, and having the same love for the music keeps us going. We have no other agenda other than to sound our best when we play, and to have the most fun we can possibly have while we do it.
Joel: We take being in a band seriously, but not too seriously. The point is to have fun, if it's not fun anymore what's the point? Believe me there are times where you question why you're still in a band, for me anyway, but the good always outweighs the bad. As for what sets us apart, lot of bands style hop and we have never really done that. We've played with different sounds and directions but we've always maintained an identifiable sound. Bands nowadays sound of the moment; here today gone tomorrow. It can end up as a flash in the pan. I'd rather make songs that are accessible to a wide range of people, just that classic quality that makes a song enjoyable. Being in an indie band is a full time job and a lot of work. You get burned out really quickly, that's why we've always had periods of more intense activity. Touring, then taking breaks in between. It's not that we're lazy, just overwhelmed at times. A break does you good!
Do you have any plans for promoting The Decline, or for future projects?
Ryan: We're going to try to push this album a lot harder than previous albums, in respects of touring and promoting through press and radio. However, our goal of having fun while doing it is going to be the same as always. Also we're already picking away at a few new tunes that will surely lead to a quick follow up release to "The Decline"!
Joel: The goal for this record (which I believe is our strongest yet), is to promote it harder through the media and radio. If we can get a little radio buzz whether it be college or commercial it would help us immensely. Future projects? Mostly playing shows and working on new stuff for a new record. Hopefully one that won't take 5 years to put out! We'll try to put out a single or E.P. in the coming year.
Jeremy: As the guys have said, we'll be working the phones hard on this one. The songs are strong and we're making use of the wonders of Facebook and the like. This has been a great surprise to us, and we've seen the impact at the shows. We've always been kind of a "people's band", and the social network stuff allows us to make our friends and fans more of a part of the band than ever.
How about supporters and fans, any messages for them?
Ryan: Keep coming out to see us, and tell your friends and thanks for the support. You keep things fun!
Joel: We realize attention spans are short, especially with pop music but we think this album was worth the wait. Hopefully music fans do too!
Jeremy: I think people underestimate how much of an impact they can have on a band. Especially an indie band. Our supporters and fans are as much a part of Elvyn as we are. Without them we would have no fun at all. This one is for them!
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