Editor’s Note: Today, El Modernist will be releasing their single “Lines”, and they’re premiering it with us on Madness To Creation! Here is what the band said about “Lines:”
“A modern take on New Wave, “Lines” by El Modernist encapsulates raw, angular rock riffs with upbeat percussive grooves. The simple yet universal lyrics about the fabricated life around us are captured within delightfully frenetic verses, and a laid back yet hard hitting hook. “Lines” lends itself to having an instantaneously classic sound, updated for today’s listeners.”
We are excited to hear about their evolution and for you all to learn about this amazing band. They went from the “rap-rock partying days” of their music to the groovy sounds of Talking Heads meets The Clash with a bit of a Blondie twist. In this mental health conversation with Madness To Creation, you get to learn more about El Modernist and what makes them tick and the writing process of the band. Check out El Modernist at their Linktree here.
Madness To Creation: Why the change past rap rock to the groove styles of The Clash meets Blondie?*
El Modernist: It’s not so much a change as it is an “Evolution.” (our previous single available on Spotify) See what we did there?
But seriously, groups like Blondie and Talking Heads were always a major influences of ours, and like them, they drew upon the pop music of their time and skewed it their own way. The foundation and groove was always there and remains the same. That being said, the year and a half we spent locked in our basement really gave us time to focus on our writing and producing. This really gave us an opportunity to mold a new sound steeped in more layers of the classic new wave records that were the soundtrack to the long days at home. The mood of the world had changed and it felt like partying was going to be different, but that’s not to say we won’t be breaking out some of those raps live, gotta keep people on their toes!
Madness To Creation: Three biggest reasons why you got into music?
El Modernist: We all have been doing music since we were very young, some of us starting as young as 12 or 13. Music has always been a space that allowed us to be whatever and whoever we wanted/needed to be. We met at music school in Albany, NY and after gigging in different bands we decided to join forces, thus El Modernist was born.
Madness To Creation: Take us into “Lines”, and the writing and recording process of an El Modernist song?
El Modernist: We are very lucky in that we enjoy a wholly collaborative writing style with each member of the band contributing something major to each song. “Lines” actually started in two places at once. Will F and Taylor were working on the main riff of the song before the rest of the band had arrived for practice. What they didn’t know was that Will H had already been drafting lyrics about the basic premises that make up our lives. The two fit together perfectly and “Lines” was born.
Madness To Creation: Biggest thing you learned about yourself through the Covid pandemic?
The ongoing pandemic taught us all a lot about ourselves and it feels like we each had our own internal journey:
Will F: I learned a lot about how the busyness of life before Covid had really allowed me to gloss over some important internal work that needed to be done. I learned a lot about slowing down and knowing that we always have time for the little things, even if “the hustle” says we don’t.
Will H: I learned how much I value mental health professionals and early 2000 MTV reality show reruns.
Joe: This pandemic has gone on for such a long period of time and changed so much throughout that it’s hard not to be taught something by these times. It’s taught me that everything you have no matter how small it may seem at the moment can be taken, so you need to work hard to keep what’s important to you and be grateful for everything you have.
Taylor: The pandemic taught me that keeping your mental health intact is vital. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a therapist!
Madness To Creation: The soundtrack to your life: What is a band, album, song or genre you go to when times get difficult?
Another beautiful thing about El Modernist is that we all listen to very different music, which in the end helps make our music sound the way it does:
Will F: Through the pandemic Phoebe Bridgers was there for the bad days, but my absolute “get-me-through-the-day” has been, and always will be Guster
Will H: When things get difficult I listen to podcasts. Which is probably a horrible sin of an answer for a musician to say, but I needed the simulation of hanging out with people during quarantine.
Joe: I try and listen to a lot of different things, lately I’ve been getting itchy for new music. Whether that’s actual new music or just old music new to me, I think fresh songs you’ve never heard before are always pleasing and interesting to dive into. But my go-to has been and will always have to be punk, specifically The Bouncing Souls. That’s why their logo lives on my arm.
Taylor: Tyler the Creator, for sure
Madness To Creation: Favorite fan experience and favorite memory playing live?
El Modernist: We have been so fortunate to have played some incredible stages with some amazing acts, but a few stand out for sure. One would be the 2018 PearlPalooza in Albany opening for Caroline Rose and Super Organism plus the 3 round battle of the bands that we won to be there. The band was barely 3 months old at that point but the Albany music scene was so accepting of us it was incredible.
Madness To Creation: What’s next for El Modernist and where can people find you?
El Modernist: Lines may or may not be part of a larger collection of songs… who knows?
We are also planning to play live as much as we can in the upcoming months, we’ve missed it terribly and cannot wait to see old friends and make new ones!
Madness To Creation: Thank you for your time to interview with me for Madness To Creation.
El Modernist: No, THANK YOU, we are so honored to be premiering “Lines” with Madness To Creation! You are doing so much for Indie music and we can’t thank you enough!
And there you have it! Fans can find El Modernist on Facebook and Instagram!
El Modernist will be performing tonight at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs, New York with Safety Meeting. For tickets and further information on the show, click here.
