Eichlers - Sound In The Signals Interview
I recently had the opportunity to interview Eichlers prior to his new album announcement. We discussed his unique approach to combining different elements and genres, the writing and recording process for upcoming album, ‘My Checkered Future’, how it compares to his previous music, the current ska resurgence, influential ska albums, vinyl and merch, and more. Check it out below.
First, thanks for the interview.
My pleasure! Thanks so much for the invitation. I saw that you talked to my friends in Flying Raccoon Suit last month & I'm stoked to have this SKApprotunity. :)
Your sound is so unique. I’m not sure I’ve heard many, or any other artists, combining elements and genres the way you are currently. How did you develop your sound?
I try to absorb as much unique music as I can. I tend to think of myself as a music fan first and a musician second. Much of my musical diet is bands and artists that sound unique. I don't really connect with music that sounds exactly like other stuff I've heard. Take, let's say, Title Fight, for example. I love the band but that doesn't mean I'll love a band that sounds exactly like them. I try to bring that same concept to my music. I don't want to make something that already exists, I want to make something new and unique. That's the genesis of the HYPERSKA sound; a combination of elements from the music I love, done in a way that is unique to me & my interests. It's so cool to me that people connect with it and think it's as sick as I do haha.
You’re about to announce your new album. What can you tell me about it so far? What was the writing and recording process like?
The album is called My Checkered Future and represents a "full embrace" of my SKA influences. Like a big, brassy, dancey, emo hug. :) I recorded everything myself in my home "studio" (read: a computer, interface, cheap mic, and a guitar) over the course of almost two years. I had the first batch of songs in late 2019. I knew I wanted to make a full SKA record, not just an emo / hyperpop record with some SKA peppered in here & there. The name "My Checkered Future" was too funny to not use as the title and very appropriate, considering the current trajectory of my SKAreer.
How do you think this album compares or differs from your previous material?
My Checkered Future is more focused than i may b cute, but im dumb af. That record was more of a collection of songs than a cohesive project. I planned and sequenced My Checkered Future as an album-album, wanting it to feel like an experience from front to back. While still being dancey and emo and fun, of course. It's definitely less HYPER than my past few singles, and more focused on lyrics and ideas, than hooks and energy. There's plenty of those too tho, don't worry. ;)
Will you be releasing a physical product for the album in terms of CDs, cassettes, or vinyl?
Yes! My Checkered Future will be available on vinyl through Bad Time Records on February 18! Hep.
Ska music has really been having a nice resurgence. What have you thought about the resurgence?
I love this NEW TONE movement. I gotta credit JER from Skatune Network / We Are The Union with bringing a new resurgence to the genre. They have put so much energy and love into supporting and riding for this new crop of bands & artists and I honestly don't think this movement would be anything close to what it is without them. SKA never died, but it's definitely bubbling up from the underground with some new interest and passion. It's also way more political and diverse than people give older SKA credit for. More akin to the 2 Tone era than the 3rd wave era.
What are your top 5 favorite or most influential ska albums? Do you have any favorites from the current era?
Picking favorites is very hard, especially now that a good chunk of my listening is SKA. I would have to cite Return To Paper by The No Service Project, Ordinary Life by We Are The Union, Truth and Soul by Fishbone, Better Medicine by The Best Of The Worst, and BAD OPERATION by BAD OPERATION tho. Those records are everything to me.
I really thought the ‘Ike Swoosh’ shirt you released was awesome. Who came up with the concept for that and designed it?
Yeah, the "swoosh" design is my favorite thing hahaha. I came up with the idea to do the Nike rip, sans "N," cuz I thought it would be super funny. I brought the idea to Sam & Joel (AKA J Crumb) at Honey TV and they loved it. Joel threw the design together and that's the tee we know & love today. My friends have told me that it confuses people when they wear the shirt, like "wtf where's the N??" lol.
Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. Do you have anything else that you would like to add?
Thanks again for having me! It really means the world that you reached out and asked me to talk about my music :) I'm playing some CA shows with We Are The Union & Half Past Two at the beginning of April, so come to the gig if you live nearby!
Two things I want to close with: 1) listen to oldphone. 2) Hi
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