my better half - Sound In The Signals Interview
I recently had the opportunity to interview Henry of my better half. We discussed how they started the band, their self-titled EP, artwork, physical releases, and more. Check it out below.
First, thanks for the interview.
No problem, sorry for the delay on our part. We've needed the downtime as of recent.
Can you tell me how you started the band for those who may be unfamiliar with it? How did you become interested in music?
We all met each other in different ways over the past couple years, mostly through skating and going to punk shows. Our guitarist Grayson and drummer Nick used to jam hardcore punk at Grayson’s house during our senior year of high school. At the time me and Grayson were frequenting Seattle punk shows every weekend.
We were all mostly unaware of emo/screamo due to a lack of its representation in the Seattle scene, but last April I was hired to take photos for the Oak Harbor screamo band Kitcalico. Back then they were the only band making softer stuff and playing regularly in the area. They were playing at Vera Project in Seattle, opening for Vs. Self. Turns out both me and Owen (bassist) were there even though we hadn’t met yet. For both of us it was the first time we were given a proper introduction to the genre, Vs. Self also played and it was hands down the best show either of us had ever seen at that point.
I ended up seeing Kitcalico play with Catalyst a few weeks later and my life was changed haha. We all got more into the genre around that time and within a couple months of practicing, lineup changes, and acceptance that bass is in fact a beautiful instrument (sorry Owen) we all ended up jamming together. Shortly after we decided to book a show to motivate us to write songs and we played in Lynwood, Washington at house venue Raccoon City with Circa 40, District Forgotten, Shoestring Strap, and Luko Life. Since that show we have all moved around or gone to college.
Your EP came out a few months ago and the band has gained a ton of hype around it. Did you expect the response you’ve gotten so far?
Absolutely not. Collectively we have worked so hard on this band, never expecting anyone to care. One of the most gratifying things to ever happen to any of us has been this band. We can’t stress enough just how fortunate we feel.
I think the songs are great and the production fits the sound nicely. What did you want to accomplish sonically with the EP? What, or who, were some of the influences for it?
Thank you! Big shout out to our friend Mel Albornez for recording, mixing, and mastering. She did an incredible job with everything. Our main goal for the EP was to throw a good range of songs together. None of them were specifically written for the EP except the interlude and an awful punk song only included on physicals. Our biggest influences have been Catalyst, Frodus, and Indian Summer. Nick’s (drummer) favorite band is Slipknot and Grayson (guitarist) loves folk which comes through in each of their playing.
I really like the song “Work and Progress”. Can you tell me about writing that song?
We wrote it as a last-minute addition to our set for our first show. Grayson wrote the riff before one of our practices and taught it to us. Lyrics came about from me and Grayson’s feelings of graduating high school and close friends moving away. The song was never finished and originally was called Work In Progress. We later changed the name, leaving the song as is. Aside from the lyrics most of us hated the song and it took convincing to record the track. We now have more appreciation for the song.
The artwork is cool and eye-catching. Who came up with the concept for it and designed the artwork?
Thank you, I’m glad you like it! I made the cover based on our songs A Shipwreck I’ve Seen and Work and Progress. The photos at the bottom I took at my graduation and the art in the corner is a block print I carved. Most of the songs are lyrically about boats or experiences around bodies of water, hence the sinking ship. Our music is very inspired by first wave emo so we thought a block print would be a nice memento to those bands.
Milkcrate Merch released some mini CDs and cassettes for the EP that sold out immediately. How did you end up working with them?
They had reached out to us about making tapes upon their move to Seattle. Met them at some local shows and they have been amazing to work with, super genuine and helpful. Buy some stuff from them.
Is there any chance that we’ll see a vinyl pressing of the EP at some point? Or is that something you would want to do with a future release?
Vinyl is planned for a future release, but at some point, it’d be special to come back and press the EP.
What do you have coming up for the remainder of the year?
Just got done with our first tour, we are exhausted to say the least. The plan is to record a split with Circa 40 and play one to two shows a month in the Seattle area.
Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. Do you have anything else that you would like to add?
Make music with your friends.
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