Hardly Interview
Q: Can you talk about your musical history?
A: My history, i suppose you could say, was a bit unorthodox. I started teaching myself guitar around the age of 12 by learning acoustic songs that I liked. Never had real extensive or effective fundamental training, but straight from the time I could strum and sing simultaneously, I dove head first into songwriting. I’ve always had a bit of a singular approach to writing, which is just “do whatever comes naturally” and that can leave a lot to be desired sometimes. In the grand scheme of my musical history I would say I lacked exponential guidance and had to wrap my head around music itself without a whole lot of direct influence. The first music I remember actively listening to is 50 Cent and Eminem, then I felt like I truly wanted to make music once my brother and cousin showed me Blink 182. I’ve been stumbling through music preferences ever since, but have a more seasoned outlook on music now.
Q: What are some of themes that run through your release anamnestic fumes?
A: A big theme, especially within the first two songs, were, you guessed it, about a break up. I had been in a long relationship very early in my life, and once it ended my whole perspective on love and relationships changed semi-drastically. Other than that, the rest of the songs play more on themes of growing up and trying to make sense of the complexity and ambiguity of the life I was experiencing around the end of my high school career. “Backroads” in particular was about me taking friendships and camaraderie for granted. “While I Don’t Know” and “theboywhochasedthefastlife" were more about uncertainty in who I am and my distaste for what I lacked.
Q: I felt like your music combines atmospheric elements as well as pop punk. How would you describe your artistic process?
A: Seeing as all these songs were written quite a long time ago, it’s hard for me to exactly describe the process. I literally would just pick up a guitar without any true motive and fumble my fingers around until I found something I liked. And from there I would just add different instruments to it. I had tried to make heavier music with a bunch of friends when I was 16-18, but we were never able to get much of a foundation going. My music taste was changing a lot around then, and I started writing more atmospheric and less hardcore pieces. “Backroads” actually was a metal core song before what it is today. My friend Ethan wrote the guitar lead initially, I just dumbed it down and pitched it up. Ethan actually had a big influence on my guitar playing, and I am very grateful for that.
Q: Hardly is a solo project. Do you play these songs live with other members or do you find a way to make this happen with just yourself?
A: I’ve been able to play some acoustic versions of songs live, but never a full blown set. I never intended Hardly to be a solo project, and I am actively searching out well fitted members right now. I just had these songs I’ve been sitting on for years and felt I should, and could, put them out there and build from that foundation.
Q: What was the recording process like?
A: A couple of songs were recorded in the studio of the college I attended back in 2015 and 2016. But for the most part I recorded everything else at home, except for the drums. My friend Dan recorded most of the bass and my friend Mike recorded all of the drums. Other than that it was literally just me, in a room, starting from scratch without a whole lot of structure, which I know sounds counterproductive, but like I said before, I have a persistent tendency to “do whatever comes naturally.” The recordings are not the best, and I know that. I just wanted to do this on my own, so I know I could and look forward from there.
Q: What else can we expect from you in 2018 and beyond?
A: I’m always writing and would like to get some more music released before the end of the year. My main goal as of right now though is forming the band. It’s been a slow start, but this is the most important aspect of me and I intend to make something extensively meaningful of it.
Thanks again, I appreciate any and all time given by anyone, just to experience my work, even in the slightest
Q: Can you talk about your musical history?
A: My history, i suppose you could say, was a bit unorthodox. I started teaching myself guitar around the age of 12 by learning acoustic songs that I liked. Never had real extensive or effective fundamental training, but straight from the time I could strum and sing simultaneously, I dove head first into songwriting. I’ve always had a bit of a singular approach to writing, which is just “do whatever comes naturally” and that can leave a lot to be desired sometimes. In the grand scheme of my musical history I would say I lacked exponential guidance and had to wrap my head around music itself without a whole lot of direct influence. The first music I remember actively listening to is 50 Cent and Eminem, then I felt like I truly wanted to make music once my brother and cousin showed me Blink 182. I’ve been stumbling through music preferences ever since, but have a more seasoned outlook on music now.
Q: What are some of themes that run through your release anamnestic fumes?
A: A big theme, especially within the first two songs, were, you guessed it, about a break up. I had been in a long relationship very early in my life, and once it ended my whole perspective on love and relationships changed semi-drastically. Other than that, the rest of the songs play more on themes of growing up and trying to make sense of the complexity and ambiguity of the life I was experiencing around the end of my high school career. “Backroads” in particular was about me taking friendships and camaraderie for granted. “While I Don’t Know” and “theboywhochasedthefastlife" were more about uncertainty in who I am and my distaste for what I lacked.
Q: I felt like your music combines atmospheric elements as well as pop punk. How would you describe your artistic process?
A: Seeing as all these songs were written quite a long time ago, it’s hard for me to exactly describe the process. I literally would just pick up a guitar without any true motive and fumble my fingers around until I found something I liked. And from there I would just add different instruments to it. I had tried to make heavier music with a bunch of friends when I was 16-18, but we were never able to get much of a foundation going. My music taste was changing a lot around then, and I started writing more atmospheric and less hardcore pieces. “Backroads” actually was a metal core song before what it is today. My friend Ethan wrote the guitar lead initially, I just dumbed it down and pitched it up. Ethan actually had a big influence on my guitar playing, and I am very grateful for that.
Q: Hardly is a solo project. Do you play these songs live with other members or do you find a way to make this happen with just yourself?
A: I’ve been able to play some acoustic versions of songs live, but never a full blown set. I never intended Hardly to be a solo project, and I am actively searching out well fitted members right now. I just had these songs I’ve been sitting on for years and felt I should, and could, put them out there and build from that foundation.
Q: What was the recording process like?
A: A couple of songs were recorded in the studio of the college I attended back in 2015 and 2016. But for the most part I recorded everything else at home, except for the drums. My friend Dan recorded most of the bass and my friend Mike recorded all of the drums. Other than that it was literally just me, in a room, starting from scratch without a whole lot of structure, which I know sounds counterproductive, but like I said before, I have a persistent tendency to “do whatever comes naturally.” The recordings are not the best, and I know that. I just wanted to do this on my own, so I know I could and look forward from there.
Q: What else can we expect from you in 2018 and beyond?
A: I’m always writing and would like to get some more music released before the end of the year. My main goal as of right now though is forming the band. It’s been a slow start, but this is the most important aspect of me and I intend to make something extensively meaningful of it.
Thanks again, I appreciate any and all time given by anyone, just to experience my work, even in the slightest