A Q&A with Saves the Witch

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saves the witch interview

Instrumental post-rock soundscapes from Corbin, KY…

What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
The new single will be ‘Dear Edea’. A new album will follow but I don’t have a title for it yet. I get inspiration from real life things for the songs, and they’re so personal to me that’s one of the reasons they’re instrumental. I just couldn’t find the right words to express what I was feeling at the time. They’re also inspired by this little fiction I have in my head too, and I’m considering releasing some of that as well. ‘Dear Edea’ in particular to me is about love, and how far it can go or should go. We all have flaws, so where do we draw the line of loving and supporting someone through them, and giving up. This song is about an undying love that survives anything.

What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
Each project has it’s own quirks. For the first album I struggled with the first few songs to find a good work flow, which I’m very OCD about anyway. It took me about that first record to be happy with it. I tend to lose inspiration if I have to spend time getting things ready to record. I just want to be able to hit a button and go. I’m pretty much at that point now. With this second record everything came so easily I couldn’t believe it. ‘Dear Edea’ was completed right on the heels of the first album release. The hardest part for me was waiting, honestly. I still didn’t wait that long (laughs).

What do enjoy most about producing your own material?
I produced it, mixed it and everything. I actually really enjoy that process a lot. Even when I’m writing I’m normally thinking ahead like “okay then I can add this here, bring this other part in and write something for that”. I’m not special, a lot of people think like that probably. I do think it helps that I was a drummer first. You can change so much about a song with the most subtle things. Even just volume levels can totally change the vibe. There were some songs on the first record that I no doubt listened to a thousand times over hundreds of versions. I really enjoy that though. I want to get the feeling right, and I’ll leave some flaws in to get that sometimes. I’d rather it sound a little more raw and hit you in the chest.

What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
One of the great things about it being instrumental is they can take away whatever they want. It can mean whatever they need it to at that moment. I do want people to know that sometimes silence does speak, and it’s okay when you can’t find the words to express what’s going on in your head.

How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
There are exceptions, but generally I’ll come up with a chord progression or small motif. A lot of times I’ll just go ahead and record that and then start to build around it. A lot of melodies I write on the spot while the red light is on. I think that gives it an improvisational feel. Sometimes the heavier songs I’ll actually write out the rhythm section first. It may not seem like it on a few songs but I do actually record to a click track most the time until drums are done. I really like experimenting with flow though. There is a track on the first record, ‘Clever Girl’, that some of the melody kind of flows in and out of time. Personally I like that a lot, it’s like being adrift at sea and not knowing what direction you’re going.

What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
I keep meeting so many other great indie artists that this changes a lot. But I can certainly say I’m heavily influenced fairly consistently by Covet, and Coheed and Cambria. Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Sleep Token, And So I Watch You From Afar, We Lost the Sea. I’ve always loved Andy McKee as well and I love how he crafts such great melodies in his work.

What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
I haven’t toured yet for logistical reasons. When I was younger I did some singer songwriter stuff and I played at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. It would be fun to go back there someday maybe with some acoustic versions of something.

saves the witch interview instrumentalist

If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
Probably ‘When the Goddess Smiles’. It has a collection of elements I like to use. Some of the meditative vibrato/chorus melodies, and some heavier elements.

What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
These days so many musicians still have day jobs, and I’m no different. I just want to keep finding people that love the music. The concept has been proven, it’s just a matter of finding people that it will vibe with. My main ambition is just to reach those that it will mean something to.

Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
I want to thank you for your time! My only parting words would be that I hope people enjoy the music. I really try to be genuine with it, and I try to go out of my way to be reachable and approachable on social media as well. Sometimes music is about expression, sometimes it’s about connecting. Through this project I have connected with so many great people it just fills my heart.

For more info visit: savesthewitch.com

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