The Total Sound Of The Undergound

Lelahel Metal

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.



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