We're excited to delve into the world of At The Grove, a
one-man post-rock project. From his musical journey to the inspiration behind
"Infinity," let's explore this captivating artist's creative process
and the unique balance of his music.
1. Thank you for joining us today. To start, please
introduce yourself and tell us a bit about At The Grove and how you got started
with this one-man post-rock project.
After years of playing as a drummer in various bands, I
started setting up my own studio in 2017. I had absolutely no knowledge of
recording, mixing, or mastering. But I wanted to try to do everything on my own
and gradually learn. Besides drums, I can play a bit of guitar, bass, and keys,
but I don't trust my singing skills. So it made sense to make instrumental music.
That's how the first album, "Inner Turmoil," was born, which was
released in 2019. Well, I had so much fun with it that I kept going. The next
album followed in 2021, along with several singles and a bunch of collaborations
with other artists from the post-rock scene. And now, in September, I released
my third album, "Infinity."
2. Your music has been compared to bands like Russian
Circles and Long Distance Calling. How have these influences shaped your sound,
and what other artists have inspired your work?
I think the new album can indeed be compared to the
mentioned bands. It's very guitar-driven, a rock album with heavy guitar riffs and
catchy melodies. I generally enjoy rock music a lot. On my previous album,
"...And All The Fear We Left Behind," you can find songs that were
inspired by other bands as well. "We Will Oppose You" is clearly
influenced by Tool. I'm a big Tool fan and especially love their drummer.
"With Hopes So High" pays homage to Pink Floyd, and "Where The
Penguins Go" is inspired by the fusion trio GoGo Penguin. However, on the
new album, I tried to maintain a more consistent sound.
3. At The Grove's music is described as a blend of
intricate drum rhythms, powerful riffs, and catchy guitar melodies. Could you
share some insights into your creative process and how you develop these
captivating compositions?
It really varies. On "Infinity," most songs
started with a guitar idea. After that, the rhythm section quickly followed. I
love odd time signatures, but I always try not to make the music sound too complicated.
If a 7/4 time signature, for instance, doesn't sound confusing at all due to a
catchy melody, that's precisely what I aim for. However, some songs are indeed
based on a groove. This was more frequent on the previous album but less so
this time around.
4. One distinctive feature of your music is the balance
between driving, high-energy sections and atmospheric ambient elements. How do
you find this equilibrium, and what does it aim to convey to your listeners?
Well, I think the first challenge with instrumental music is
to keep it exciting and varied. This is much easier to achieve with vocals, I believe.
Furthermore, I find it essential to give the listener a breather. Incorporating
atmospheric, calmer sections every so often provides precisely the variation
and dynamics that keep the music alive.
5. In contrast to many post-rock representatives, your
tracks are relatively short, averaging around 4 5 minutes. What's the reason
behind keeping your compositions more concise, and how does this affect the
listening experience?
How it influences the listening experience is something
everyone needs to decide for themselves. I can only speak for myself. I'm not
necessarily a fan of very long songs. I find 4 to 5 minutes perfect. Of course,
some songs are also perfect at 6 or 7 minutes. I do have a few songs that are
that long or even longer. It's not that I impose a rule on myself that a song
should only be 4 minutes long. It just happens during the songwriting process.
Eventually, I feel the song is finished, and then it has the length it has. I
have to admit that I'm not always a fan of the endless repetitions that
sometimes occur in post-rock. When the same riff is played for 2 or 3 minutes,
I eventually find it boring. I try to
avoid that. But, as I said, it's just a matter of personal
taste.
6. At The Grove is unique in that you handle all
production steps, from composition to mixing and mastering, as a single
individual. What challenges and advantages do you encounter in this solo approach
to music creation?
Well, the challenges should be evident. I have to come up
with the ideas, develop the songs, produce, record, play all the instruments,
mix, master... In essence, I'm a whole band, the producer, the mixing engineer,
and the mastering engineer all in one person. That's a lot of work and not that
easy. But it's a lot of fun. The advantage is that I can work whenever I want.
I'm not dependent on other people's schedules. And I don't have to make
compromises; I can create exactly the music I envision. What's not quite as
enjoyable for me is all the promotional work that comes after the album is
finished. That's the first thing I would gladly hand off.
7. Can you tell us more about the name "At The
Grove" and its significance to your music? How does the environment where
you produce your music influence your creative process?
That's actually a straightforward story. When I completed my
first album in 2019, I needed a name to release this project under. I didn't
want to choose just any name with no connection to it. The studio where
I produce the music is located right by a truly idyllic grove. So, the name was
practically right there, haha.
8. Your upcoming album, "Infinity," was
released on September 22, 2023. Could you provide some insight into the album's
themes and the journey you intend to take your listeners on with this release?
"Infinity" takes listeners on a profound journey,
delving into the eternal quest for the meaning of life and the boundless
unknown that lies beyond. "Infinity" contemplates the concept of
death as a form of infinity, where our physical bodies gracefully decompose,
becoming one with the cycle of new life, perpetuating the timeless dance of
existence. Throughout the musical odyssey, "Infinity" explores these
philosophical quandaries with unpredictable variance between heavy and
atmospheric passages and ultimately concludes the genuine meaning of life
resides within oneself. The album suggests that life's infinity is not solely
dependent on the continuity of our physical being, but rather it extends
through the memories we leave behind in others and through the transformation
of our atoms into the creation of new life forms.
9. "Infinity" explores profound themes like the
concept of infinity, the meaning of life, and the connection between death and
transformation. How do you translate these philosophical concepts into
instrumental music?
Although "Infinity" is an instrumental album, it
tells the story by blending driving drums and heavy heavy guitars with catchy
melodies, and immersive soundscapes in order to represent the inner turmoil,
struggles, and uncertainty of the album's themes. The heavy riffs and complex
drums represent the questions about the concept of infinity, the possibility of
leading a fulfilling finite existence, and the connection between death and
perpetual transformation. Throughout this musical odyssey, moments of respite
appear, interwoven with piano melodies and ambient guitars, offering moments of
introspection and clarity.
10. "Infinity" delves into the idea of death as
a form of infinity and the concept that life's meaning extends beyond our
physical existence. What message or emotions do you hope listeners take away
from this exploration?
Well, first and foremost, I hope the album resonates with
the listener. That it's enjoyable musically and prompts contemplation about
life and its meaning. It's not a sad album, and the message is meant to be
hopeful. But the meaning of life or the concept of what comes after death, or
doesn't come, is something each person has to discover for themselves. However,
I'm happy if the album can inspire some thought on these topics.
11. "Infinity" is being released by the Dutch
label De Mist Records. How did this collaboration come about, and what role has
the label played in the development of the album?
I've been good friends with the label owner, Niels de Roo,
for several years. When I was ready to release the album, he offered to release
it on De Mist Records. However, the music was already finished before this
collaboration came about, so I had complete freedom with my ideas and vision. Thankfully,
Niels designed the artwork for "Infinity." And what can I say, it
turned out to be simply fantastic. It aligns perfectly with the album's theme.
12.Finally, where can fans and listeners connect with At
The Grove, and what can they look forward to in the future from your one-man
post-rock project?
You can find everything you need at www.at-the-grove.com: access to all streaming services, social media links, and the option to purchase my music digitally or on CD. Feel free to reach out to me personally on Instagram or Facebook. I'll be working on a few collaborations with musician friends later this year. I've also started generating initial ideas for the next At The Grove album, but it will likely take about 2 years to complete. To keep you engaged in the meantime, I'll certainly release one or two singles. Just follow me on your platform of choice, and you won't miss a thing.
At The Grove (@at.the.grove) • Instagram photos and videos
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire