Earlier today, we premiered Playwrite‘s new album Cathedrals (which you can listen to here). Now, we chat to the band about the making and recording of the album, as well as what it was like to work with Jimi Maroudas. Let’s find out what Playwrite want their listeners to take away from the record, and more…
The album is three years in the making, but comes to represent the last five years of your career – how well do you think the album captures where you as a band are now?
It’s been a while since we recorded these tracks, some are new some are really old. It represents most of our entire journey as a band and it means the world to us to have it all together in one place. That being said we are always looking towards the future and getting excited by new ideas and different directions.
How long was the actual recording of the album? Was it all done at once or spread out over the last 3 years?
The actual studio time was spread out over two years in a few different locations. Prior to that we were doing pre production and arrangement of some of the material.
What was your experience like working with Jimi Maroudas?
Jimi was an absolute legend to work with. He provided us with so much guidance and also taught us new ways to work creatively as a band. His passion for his craft and also his enthusiasm for this project really supported the whole process for us.
When you work with someone like Jimi, you can end up going places you would have never expected. What was most surprising for you about the result in Cathedrals?
He was working with us pretty closely throughout the whole process so we never got a mix back or anything that he had taken in a radical direction. I still remember the first couple sessions we had with him though when we first played him the material and he made a few suggestions. The things that he was able to see in the tracks and suggestions he had were so spot on, I remember us all being pretty excited about that.
What do you hope people take away from listening to the record?
That’s a tough question! I hope people get joy from it. I hope that it surprises them, makes them feel something they weren’t expecting, I hope someone out there finds one of these tracks helps them through a tough time.
And finally, pick two tracks on the album that you think best represents the album as a whole – OR simply the two tracks that you love the most – and tell us a bit about each track.
Another tough one. Personally I love “Millennial Deer”. For me it has a feeling of unrestricted joy that reminds me of sprinting down a huge hill as fast as you can.
I would also choose “Young God”. This song is about family, wanting to help people who won’t be helped. It’s the song I enjoy listening to most on headphones. It always takes me on a bit of a journey.
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Don’t forget, you can listen to Cathedrals before it’s released digitally on October 30th and physically on Thursday November 26th, right here.
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