Motion Sick - Sound In The Signals Interview
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I recently had the opportunity to interview Sam of Motion Sick. We discussed the writing and recording process for their upcoming EP, the song they are most excited for fans to hear, signing with PNWK Records, the significance of the EP’s artwork, and more. Check it out below.
First, thanks for the interview.
Of course! Thank you for reaching out and taking the time with us!
You recently announced your new EP. What can you tell me about the writing and recording process for it?
While a lot of the initial demoing process looked similar to how it’s always been for us, this EP marks the first time all four of us were involved in the creative process. We were all able to take time out of our busy schedules to be in the studio together, fine tune our parts, and put it all together. The drums were recorded at a local venue in Grand Rapids, MI called Skelletones, and everything else was recorded at Furniture City Soundworks. The tracks were then mixed and mastered by Steve Perrino, who is based out of the Cleveland area.
You also released the first single “Stand Up Straight” and I think it’s one of your best songs. The writing and overall production sound like you’ve matured sonically. Was that something you went into this new EP wanting to accomplish and/or how has your process stayed the same or changed over time?
From a musical perspective, the sound of our band has just naturally evolved as we’ve grown as artists. We found our pocket of DIY music that we have fun playing, and we will make a better overall body of music if it’s something we enjoy. From a lyrical perspective, every Motion Sick song comes from the things I [Sam] encounter in life. Compared to the 20-year-old who wrote our first EP, I’ve grown a lot as a person, and I try to be mindful about how I articulate my view of the world around me.
Is there a particular song you’re most excited for people to hear and why?
We are really excited for people to hear the opening track on the EP, ‘99 ASTRO. It’s a song that was almost scrapped, but ended up being one of our favorites in our entire discography. It’s written about our first year of touring. All of the cool people we’ve met that have sang along with us at shows, as well as the terrifying moments when you don’t how you’re going to make it back home. It’s fast, it’s loud, and it’s meaningful to us.
You signed with PNWK Records for the EP. How did it work out for you to sign with them and what made them a good fit for your band?
PNWK Records approached us when we played XLNC Fest last year, and it was clear from the start that we connected as people. Being a band from Michigan, it’s also kind of scary dropping new music that doesn’t sound like some of the other big bands in our scene. Despite that, they signed us, took a listen to these new songs in their infancy, and saw the vision. They have supported us and our work this entire time, and we couldn’t be more happy to work with them.
PNWK has been getting a lot of buzz and are working with some great artists. How does it feel to be part of that excitement?
We are extremely thankful to be in the same conversations as some of the bands we look up to in our music scene. We are also thankful to be on the same label as our friends in Potionseller, who are also from Grand Rapids, MI. Fingers crossed we get to be a part of the PNWK family for years to come!
I like the EP artwork. Where did you get that image from and is the location of the building significant to the band in any way?
That image was taken by Tyler Smith, who is friends with our guitarist Michael. The back cover of the physical versions were also shot by Tyler, with additional graffiti art by Carl Prust. We wanted to use pictures from the actual ground-level of Grand Rapids, MI because it is where we have spent the most time together. Sam and Hogan first met at the local venue The Pyramid Scheme, who then met Ben and Michael through playing shows in the scene. From band practices to finding dinner around the city, Grand Rapids means a lot to us and it has definitely become our home base.
Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. Do you have anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you to everyone who has been listening to STAND UP STRAIGHT and to those who have already pre-saved our EP on Spotify! It means the world to us knowing that you care about our music! Thank you to PNWK Records for all the support in our first year on the label! The self-titled MOTION SICK EP will be available on all streaming platforms October 3rd! Look out for physical versions of the EP closer to launch, and follow us everywhere at @motionsickmi to stay in the loop on upcoming tours and everything else we have planned!
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