Interview by Ryan Onstad
Stavesacre’s “How to Live with a Curse” in stores April 18th on Abacus Recordings!
Onstad: Your last album, Stavz'a'ker, came out in 2002. In the past 4 years what has happened with the band?
Sam: We toured a bunch when the record came out, played Warped Tour that summer and did what we could to make that record a success. It was a bit of a losing battle though. We didn't have much help and Nitro's distribution was a mess, so not very many people ended up with that record. We lost a guitar player. And we recorded a cool EP with Bryan Carlstrom and Chris Hall. That is what led to us getting the new deal with Abacus.
Dennee: In the past 4 years we have learned how to enjoy playing music again. I went back and listened to a bunch of the records that made me want to play music in the first place. When Neil quit the band we thought we would need to replace him immediately to carry on, but after a couple practices and shows we realized that we worked really well as just the four of us. There is cohesiveness to the band and our music now that we have never had before.
Onstad: Now that you have a new label home, what do you hope will change as opposed to your experience with Tooth and Nail and Nitro/XS Records?
Sam: You know I just want to keep making records with my friends.
Dennee: We hope to be in a situation where we feel that our label is willing to stick their necks out with us. We are aware of the fact that our music isn't necessarily a part of any current trend or movement, but we believe that people still like good rock records when they are given the chance to hear them. Abacus seems to believe that as well and want to work with us to put the music in front of some new people.
Onstad: With your new album, How to Live with a Curse, you seem to have grown up a little bit musically, do you feel the same?
Sam: Using Matt Hyde had a lot to do with that.
Dennee: Yeah, we've grown up a lot. Not just musically either. I think the fact that we've all learned, with time and age, to communicate a little better has helped us flush out a lot of bad ideas that might have gotten through before and hear out a lot of good ideas that might not have seemed so good at first.
Onstad: What kind of role did your producer Matt Hyde play in the shaping of the new album?
Sam: Matt's an excellent producer with clear ideas about what is good and what is not. One of my favorite things about him while recording was his ability to articulate why something should be a certain way. He's very musical and knows what he needs to hear in order for the music, or a production idea, whatever, to make sense. He's a winner.
Dennee: Matt played a huge role in the shaping of the new album. He is, essentially, an extension of Stavesacre. We went into the album with a lot of ideas that we felt really good about and some that we weren't too sure about. He was able to take the songs we liked and elaborate on the things we liked about them and take the songs we were iffy on and find the good in them. Also, working with Matt Hyde allowed us to stretch out and try some things that we might not have had the confidence, or means, to do before.
Onstad: What is the individual meaning/inspiration for each of the songs on the record?
Sam: Mark can tell you about most of them. The one I wrote, "Sean," was inspired by a friend of my son Conner, who was diagnosed with brain cancer at 6 years old. He was having equilibrium problems, and had fallen out of a tree and broken an arm. While he was in getting fixed up for that, they discovered some tumors. It was very rough on that little guy for about 2 years. He has since recovered, and is doing well.
Dennee: For me, from a musical perspective, the entire album is about just that: inspiration. When we started writing the songs that would eventually become How to Live with a Curse we didn't have a record deal and didn't think we would likely be getting one. We had tried on the self-titled album to write songs that we thought would be commercially viable - to write what we thought people wanted to hear. And whether or not the songs were any good (there is some debate on this topic) we sure weren't enjoying them. After we were released from our contract with Nitro we said, "We have no record deal, hardly any fans left, no industry buzz... nothing to lose." So, we decided that we were just going to try to get back for doing it for the pure enjoyment of it again. We started trying to write the songs that we wanted to hear which happens to be what we are best at and we started feel inspired again.
Onstad: Are there any songs recorded for How to Live with a Curse that didn't make the album? Or for any of your records for that matter that may turn up on a b-sides EP?
Sam: “This Madness,” which will come out on the European release this summer.
Dennee: We recorded a song called "This Madness" that we omitted mostly because we couldn't find as good of a place for it as the other songs. We all like the song still and it will most likely be on the European release. We also recorded drums for a new version of "Bull Takes Fighter,” but decided that we had enough new songs that we were really excited about that we didn't need that song to make the album complete. We may finish it sometime, but probably not since we're all pretty happy with the version we already put out.
Onstad: What is the band planning for 2006 as far as touring goes?
Sam: We'll be hitting all the major markets in the US and going to Europe this summer. We'll see how the record is doing after that.
Dennee: We're planning to hit major markets and try to get a support slot on a tour that will expose us to new people.
Onstad: In a day and age of bands lasting for only 2 albums, what do you think is the main cause of your band being able to continue as long as it has?
Sam: We actually enjoy hanging out with each other. These guys are my best friends. And we've figured out a good way to write music together that leaves everyone satisfied that their contribution matters and gets a fair shake.
Dennee: We're old and stubborn... I think a lot of it is that there aren't a lot of bands out there like us. If people want our sound, they have to get it from us. Also, I think the fact that we are constantly striving to keep ourselves interested results in us staying interesting to others as well.
Onstad: What are your top 3 best and worse concert memories with Stavesacre so far?
Sam: Having to do a second show in Dallas because the first one oversold and there was still a line around the block of people waiting to get in. That was cool. All my bad concert memories have more to do with vehicles breaking down than the actual shows.
Dennee: Too many good ones to choose the best, and none that are bad enough to remember.
Onstad: Anything else you’d like to add?
Sam: Thanks for the write up. And thanks to all our fans who have been so encouraging and loyal. We love you guys!