INTERVIEW: The Standby mesmerized by the ‘Wintersun’
Photo: The Standby’s new EP is called Over, Under. Photo courtesy of the band / Provided by Earshot Media with permission.
The emo trio known as The Standby have recently released their new EP called Over, Under, featuring such songs as “Wintersun” and “Constant Nausea.” They are currently touring behind the recording effort, hoping that their unique sounds breaks out onto a national scale.
The Standby is currently made up of Jordan Sigmund on vocals and guitar, Jake Brown on drums, and Lyle Sallade on bass and backing vocals.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with the band, who head this week to Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and North Carolina. On the horizon there are dates in Virginia and their native Pennsylvania. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What can fans expect from the new EP, Over, Under?
Five more songs following the tone we’ve set with ‘Wintersun’ and ‘Constant Nausea.’ The EP centers around feelings of detachment and emotional confusion, and the internal frustration that comes with that. A lot of vocal-centered songs with equal parts big, aggressive guitars and drums, and warbly, atmospheric-yet-steady reprieves, with plenty of heavy bass. It’s the perfect snapshot of who we are right now.
What inspired the new song ‘Wintersun’?
‘Wintersun’ is the result of a lot of complex, alienating feelings and internal dialogues that I didn’t know what to do with, and they just kind of manifested themselves into this complicated song that somehow developed really organically. I was listening to a lot of The Cure, Warpaint, and Balance and Composure’s last album pretty much on repeat at the time though, so I guess that kind of shows with its avant-garde sound and format.
Are there any limitations being a trio? Does having three people make your sound unique?
We’d like to think that being a three-piece has helped us create a sound that’s unique. Being in a genre that’s so inundated with four and five-piece bands, we’re kind of forced to be really creative with our live sound and performance to fill as much space and create as much energy as we can. I’m sure that subconsciously informs some of the decisions we make when writing and recording.
When did you first fall in love with emo and indie music?
Jordan’s always listened to it. He was raised on bands like Radiohead, REM and The Breeders, so it was just a natural progression. Lyle got heavy into it a couple years ago when more emo/alternative bands starting rolling through Erie, [Pennsylvania], and he fell down the rabbit hole of related bands in the genre. Once you look up a genre, it will keep giving till you’re done taking. Jake always liked alternative, but listened it more full time when he and Jordan became best friends in high school.
What’s the music scene like in Erie, Pennsylvania? Does the city support its artists?
We’ve always had a really tight-knit and supportive scene, but the growth in the past year has been insane. Show attendance has probably at least doubled for low to mid-level bands alone since last year at this time. The Andromeda Agency, who does a lot for us, has especially really helped with that. We feel really lucky and proud to be a part of it and have so many people at home that care about us.
What’s the future hold for the band beyond the EP’s release in September?
Lots and lots of touring! We’ll be hitting our half of the country pretty hard for most of now through the end of the year.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Standby’s new EP is called Over, Under. Click here for more information.
