(Photo Credit - Benjamin Lieber)
We got a chance to interview alt group Macseal about their debut album 'Super Enthusiast' which dropped today! Make sure you check out the album! But first check out our interview with the band!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
"Everyone started playing their instruments at different times, but I think attending more intimate DIY-type shows made us pursue the band earnestly. We saw that playing shows, touring, and getting to know the people that make your favorite art was more attainable than we realized. We played our first show in 2014, but started taking it more seriously in late 2015."
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
"Both Ryan and I (Cole) both prefer writing alone initially, so one of us will make a demo on GarageBand with programmed drums to get the idea across. Then the four of us get together to finalize the arrangement and modify or rewrite parts. By the end of the day, we all get our hands on it in some way. Some of the most intricate parts happen because we get bored easily, so we add fun transitions or vary things section to section."
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
"Immediately, our friends in Prince Daddy and the Hyena and Retirement Party come to mind, not just because of their music, but also their work ethic. Playing shows with Oso Oso throughout the years has been great because we admire Jade’s songwriting, and he would give us helpful advice when we were starting out. Other than that, a lot of 1990s and 2000s alternative and pop music. Paramore, Motion City Soundtrack, Tegan and Sara, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Pedro the Lion, Alvvays, etc."
4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
"I have an old G&L SC-3 that my dad got me when I was a kid, I’ve played it on every Macseal recording. I just like how it sounds too much not to use it! Ryan has a 1968 Fender Mustang that he got as a gift from his dad, which he’s scared of breaking on tour, but it’s his favorite guitar to play at home. As far as pedals, I keep a Barber Gain Changer on almost all of the time, and I know Ryan keeps his Fulltone OCD on all the time too."
5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
"At our favorite shows we’ve played, the vibe ends up equally rowdy yet respectful and self-aware. Everyone is normally very sweet."
"In terms of venues: overall accessibility, lots of water for both us and people attending, somewhere to make tea, mics that don’t shock you, gender neutral bathrooms are always great, and a garbage can in the green room. We’re all coffee drinkers, so it’s always nice when there’s a cool spot around the venue too."
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
"We write songs that feel good and natural to us. There’s never really a cut and dry decision to retain or lose certain elements with each release. It’s mostly indicative of our influences at the moment, and what makes us smile when we write/play/hear it. If you resonate with any of it, then that is very cool! If not, that’s okay too."
7. Tell us about your release Super Enthusiast.
"Well, it’s our first full-length album! We recorded it with Justin Pizzoferrato, who made us feel super comfortable, especially for tracking the whole thing in five days. Lyrically speaking, there’s a lot of self reflection and uncertainty, and figuring out how to navigate emotions and relationships. We’re real proud of how it came out. There’s a wonderful picture by our friend Dana on the cover."