Self-described mountain-rock band, Whitacre, combine their genre love of folk, Americana, and punk, which are featured prominently on their debut full-length album, Seasons. As frontman Paul Whitacre shares in a press release, “Seasons’ feels like the album that we truly wanted to write and produce. It displays some quirky ideas, includes longer songs and more honest lyrics. We intentionally made sure that not every on this album would fit the radio format. We stopped caring so much about that and focused on writing and recording what we bleed for.” Seasons also marked the foursome’s first recording in a big space at Third & James in Denver, Colorado, which helped them focus on their creativity and exploration of new lyrics and songs.
Whitacre has amassed a dedicated fanbase, selling out shows with Wild Child and Mt. Joy, among others, and previously released their EP, Within The Mountains’ Shadows in 2018, and have cumulated a million streams and counting on their Spotify alone. The group’s desire to pursue music is evident in their desire to connect fans with their music. As Whitacre states, “so many people are hurting these days and it’s all just barely under the surface. We want to go there. We want to reassure the broken-hearted that there is hope, we want to show the invisible that we see them and they matter. That it’s okay to be hurting. We believe that doesn’t only happen in lyrics but in a melody as well. We believe in the power of music and that it is used to soften and heal hearts.”
Find out what lead singer of Whitacre, Paul Whitacre, shares about the writing and recording process for Seasons, connecting and working with producer, Joe Richmond, and mixer, Yuuki Matthews, creative process and influences, along with his and some of the band’s fun music favorites.
Seasons, you guys’ first full-length album, is out now. What was the writing and recording process like for it?
Paul Whitacre: It was really fluid. We went into the studio with the intention of recording two songs and came out with 10. The space we were recording in tapped into our creative side and we just couldn’t stop writing and recording the songs once we had gotten started. It was a really fun way to record.
You all worked with producer Joe Richmond and mixer by Yuuki Matthews. What was it like working with them, and how did you all get connected?
Paul: Joe has been a friend of ours for a couple of years now and he’s a staple in the Denver music scene. He’s recorded both of our projects and it honestly just feels like we’re working with a really good friend when we’re in the studio. It’s such a blast.
This was our first time working with Yuuki, and we are so thankful to have had the opportunity. He’s had an amazing career playing bass with the Shins but still felt so humble and kind to work with.
Seasons wasn’t meant to be a full album. Can you share some of the processes that led it to become one?
Paul: I think the biggest deciding factor was the natural progression of a story being told. We realized there was a theme happening with some of the early songs that we thought could be a positive message to bring to people through a full album.
I love all of the varied influences in your music from Americana, folk, and rock. Who are some of your biggest inspirations in each of these genres?
Paul: That answer changes so much based on the band member! For me, I love top 40 pop, and I’m not afraid to admit it! Mark loves punk music, which has had a huge influence on his style of drumming. Chase is a big bluegrass fan and Joe loves NEEDTOBREATHE and anything else in that folk genre.
What are your earliest memories of music, and what other instruments do you guys play, if any? Are there ones you’d like to learn to play?
Paul: My earliest memory of music is grabbing pots and pans to use as a makeshift drum set in my room as a kid. I broke a lot of plastic trash cans and dented a lot of wood furniture because I wanted to drum on anything and everything I could find.
As for other instruments we play, I’ll brag on Chase here, because he’s dedicated his whole life to playing music with excellence and perfection. He plays banjo, guitar, drums, harmonica, accordion, lap steel, bass and I’m sure a dozen others I’m not even aware of. He’s truly unbelievable and people that see our live show can hardly understand how he does it all.
Whitacre – Photo by Brandon Johnson
How are you guys still coping creatively during COVID-19?
Paul: We’re really bummed, like everyone else. Some good things, like more time to be creative, have come as a result, but we also lost about 20 shows of this album release tour. It just makes us so stoked to get back to normal.
What was your first album on cassette, CD and/or vinyl?
Paul: My first CD was Combat Rock by The Clash (laughs). “Should I Stay or Should I Go” was for some reason such a randomly inspirational song to me growing up.
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
Chase Perry (banjo) – Leif Vollebek
Paul (lead vocals and rhythm guitar) – Coldplay
Joe Fishel (bass) – NEEDTOBREATHE
Mark Cunningham (drums) – Third Eye Blind
Caamp is a newer band that we all really love and are inspired by as well.
Do you guys have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?
Paul: Before the quarantine, I would say no…but NOW, I have been playing some big-time hours on old Xbox 360 games. Trying to get creative on how to pass the time!
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