New album release interview with Manfred Sittmann; Singer and Guitarist for Elephants and Stars. Under the Earth and Above Heaven is out now.
Were there any particular events or emotions that shaped the songwriting?
I have been accused of gravitating to dark places in my lyrics, which I think is true to a degree but then that is only becasue I think those areas are more interesting to explore than skipping down the lane, hand in hand, on a summers day. I mean, does the world really need another song about falling in love? I would suggest not.
"Flaw In The System" is inspired by and dedicated to Canadian bank robber turned author turned bank robber Stephen Reid. I think he is a very tragic figure. Very smart. very creative and very damaged. It is as close to a tribute song as I think one can do without sounding campy. "Worst Part Now" is about a suicide pact gone awry and "Ghosts" is inspired a story I read about a death chamber execution that got halfway through before the machine failed. So yeah, I guess people that say I can tend to be darker lyrically may be on to something.
Were there any challenges you faced during the recording process?
Well, anytime you create via committee - you are going to have disagreements. Especially in our case because we all come from very different backgrounds musically and have very different influences. At times, that works to hopefully give us a broader sound, but in the moment when you are arguing about tempos and cutting someone's part short people can take it personally. Generally, our disagreements don't escalate too much because we all tend to be of the mind that we will try a suggestion and give it a fair shot before dismissing it out of hand. Same goes for working with a producer as their voice effectively becomes on par with anyone in the band. That can always lead to friction as well. But a little creative friction can be a good thing.
Which track was the most fun to create, and why?
For me, it was "Flaw in the System". On the day I was doing my guitars for it I suggested a lot of the little accoutrements that appear in the song like the stopwatch ticking into explosion sound leading in t the first chorus. The sirens over the riff leading into the last chorus. I thought our producer Ian Blurton would kind of eschew them but we were very much on the same page with it all so that was a really fun day.
Did any collaborations influence the sound or direction of this project?
Working with Ian Blurton as a producer is always a very collaborative affair. He always brings a lot of creative ideas to the process. They can include everything from song structures, harmony ideas, guitar sounds, etc. So, it is fair to say that his fingerprints are all over this record.
How do you feel this album represents your evolution as a band?
I think this record is our most concise and focussed. Everything has been honed down to the bare-essentials. There are no extraneous parts in any of the tracks. Working with Ian for a third time, we really had everything as tight and compact as possible before we even started. I think you can hear in the writing that there is an efficiency to everything that maybe hasn't always been there. (But our next record will be a bloated exercise in self-indulgence).
What do you hope your fans take away from this album?
I just hope they like it for what it is and maybe are moved to come and see us live if and when we are near them.
Have fans influenced the direction of your music or this album in any way?
No. Personally I tend to block out most outside noise - be it positive or negative. Of course, I am glad when people appreciate something we put out, but we wouldn't strive to do something just because we thought people might like us more. We are way to stubborn for that.
Do you have any music videos planned for the album? What can you share about them?
We shot four videos, largely just performance pieces but we tried to give each of them their own unique look and feel. For instance, "Flaw In The System" is all very dark and backlit to give it a murky feel and on "Worst Part Now" we added an effect that paid homage to "Take On Me" by A-Ha.
If you could describe this album in three words, what would they be?
I totally drew a blank on this one so I asked ChatGPT. It said - get this - "Ethereal, introspective, melodic."
I mean, it's not wrong but that feel a little pretentious. How about "future million seller?"
Is there a specific moment during the album’s creation that you’ll always remember?
There sure is, but I don't think it is one I should have printed in a magazine. lol
Do you have a tour booked or is one being booked to promote the album?
We do not have a tour booked at this time, but it is our hope to play a lot of regional shows in and around the area. Without any agency representation though, it is incumbent upon us to work with other bands and try to make that happen. Never an easy task.
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