Attraction To Tragedy have bees busy bee's the past 4 years since last speaking with them. This duo turned three-piece have been hard at work writing and recording for their debut full-length album simply titled "Passion Over Fashion". Frontman vocalist/guitarist Jaiden Shay discusses the time span between back then up until now, and details in regards to the band's changes and new album info.
1. It's been 4 years, since we last spoke, can you discuss what's happened between then and now?
Jaiden: As an "artist" I feel like I've found my voice.
2. During that time, you went from being a full band, down to a duo with Zack and Jaiden, to now being a trio with Jaiden, Brandon, and Izzy, why the switch up, with the member count, and line-up changes?
Jaiden: Zack moved away for school in 2013 and then I got some people together to promote the EP that Zack and I made. I recorded a single "Bleeding Envy" with the drummer of that lineup. At the end of that session I knew I had to make a change. Then the band became a solo project while I made Passion Over Fashion. I had wanted Izzy to join since maybe 2 months after Zack had left but he was too busy at the time. So after making the album I started basically harassing him until he agreed to audition haha. He said he wouldn't do it without Brandon so I auditioned him as well. The 2 of them have added so much to the band. For the first time in a long time I look forward to band practice.
3. Did you guys ever get signed since we last spoke, or are you still an unsigned act? What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
Jaiden: We've had some label interest but nothing thats ever felt right. People should know that we're completely blind to whatever is "in" at the moment. Right now matters but the most important thing is making something you know you'll still be proud of years from now.
4. You last spoke of finishing up your EP, was that EP ever released? What about your previous demo releases, will we be seeing those receiving a re-release?
Jaiden: We've talked about re-doing a song or two from the EP but I don't know if it will happen. The ep, From Captivation To Curses, came out in June 2014. We did it very DIY almost to a fault. While doing Bleeding Envy we re-recorded "Underdosed" off our demo. It's so different from the album we shelved it for the time being.
5. So your release count is your demos, the EP, and now first full-length album, correct? How would you say that, that trio of material, differs, compares, and is equal to one another?
Jaiden: The demo we did in 2010 isn't very good haha. The songs sounded better in my head than on the cd. The EP, From Captivation To Curses, was very ambitious. Looking back on it I feel like I was overcompensating by shoving 40 parts into each song. Passion Over Fashion like the EP varies in sound but the songs are more to the point. This record/lineup is a nee beginning.
6. Where are you in the recording process of the new album?
Jaiden: The record has been done for a year actually. I tried pitching it to people as a solo project for a while and that took some time but you can't beat a band.
7. Who is producing the album? How has the producer aided the recording process?
Jaiden: Jim Fogarty along with Joe Cocchi of Within The Ruins produced the record. Jim played bass and wrote the vocal harmonies and it took the record to the next level. He's a musical genius. Joe worked with me on tracking guitars. Our playing styles are very different but our influences are very similar. It was the best recording experience I've had and I hope to our next project with them.8. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting for before the recording process began for this album?
Jaiden: My biggest goal was making something that 16 year old me would want to listen to.
9. Are you using any new instrumentation you've never used in the recording process before?
Jaiden: We used drum samples on a few song which was a first. I love pop music so it was cool to bring that in. Other than that I got to experiment with guitar effects for the first time which was a lot of fun. I had been playing for almost 10 years at that point and had never used a wah haha.
10. When did you start writing for this album? How was the songwriting process different/similar to previous Attraction To Tragedy releases?
Jaiden: Some of the riffs date back to 2013 but the bulk of it was written in 2014 and the first few months of 2015. The biggest difference with writing was that I was trying to be more concise.
11. Did you feel any pressure whatsoever to get this album out there for everyone to hear?
Jaiden: Only the pressure to put it out when I felt the time was right.
12. Can you go into one or two tracks on the new album? If so, can you give us the track title and brief description of how the track sounds and how it came about?
Jaiden: Stephanie Brooks had the working title of "in flames" because it has that sort of vibe. It all started with the intro riff and stuff just kept coming. I originally imagined a lot more screaming but it just wasn't coming so I tried putting a pop spin on it and everything came together. Lyrically I was really burnt out on personal stuff so I took more of a character angle and personal stuff sort of crept in beneath the violence.
I wrote Beauty In Bloodshed the night after seeing Carcass and The Black Dahlia Murder. In about an hour or so the music for Beauty In Bloodshed was there. I wrote the bulk of the lyrics on my phone in an Old Navy parking lot. The title I've had since 2008.
13. How is the vibe in the studio?
Jaiden: Zing, the studio we used, is like a second home at this point. Its a very calm and creative environment.
14. Who did the cover art for "Passion Over Fashion" and how much input did you have on it?
Jaiden: The photos on it were done by Jeremy Saffer. I crudely put together the original concept in photo shop and then Rob from Exotype made it into something professional.
15. Is there any story or concept behind the "Passion Over Fashion" title?
Jaiden: The title is making fun of the idea that if a band has an image then they must not be able to play. The cover and title are totally meant to be outrageous.
16. When can we expect the new album to be released?Jaiden: October 14th 2016.
17. What else do you have planed for the remainder of this year, leading right into next year?
Jaiden: More shows and promoting the record. Some secret stuff I can't say but it's really exciting.
18. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?
Jaiden: The name comes from our human interest in the macabre. People sometimes think its a "oh poor me" sort of thing but its not. Also more importantly I thought it sounded cool.
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