I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed and admired The Appleseed Cast, it’s not very often that an indie band can last as long as these guys have. Its even more rare that a band can evolve and progress as much as they have. Throughout their evolution The Appleseed Cast have released so many inspiring and influential albums and the band has succeeded yet again with their latest release Illumination Ritual. The LP combines the earnestness of their debut album, The End of the Ring Wars, the instrumentation of the Low Level Owl albums, and the progressive compositions of my personal favorite, Sagarmatha. While Illumination Ritual incorporates all of these great elements, the band also takes their sound in a new math-rock type of direction. I was able to get in touch with the vocalist, guitarist, and founding member, Chris Crisci before the band heads out on their summer tour, to get some more info about the new album, the evolution of The Appleseed Cast, and what life’s like for him out on the road.
What first inspired you to start playing music and to be in a band?
I was involved in music since I was in 2nd grade. I played percussion, then wood winds, then brass, then in high school I bought a guitar. My sophomore year in high school a punk band called Forced Down played during lunch. It was the first time I had seen a real punk band play and it just clicked. That’s what I wanted to do.
You’re the last founding band member. Why do you feel that The Appleseed Cast has had so many lineup changes? Is it ever discouraging?
Most bands of our size, meaning small, that have lasted as long as us have had line up changes. I actually don’t find it discouraging. I would rather people pursue the things in their lives that will fulfill them. Being in a band is not easy, in terms of the financial and family sacrifices it demands. I fully encourage everyone to make the best choices for their lives. I’m sticking with being a touring musician because that is fulfilling to me. Everyone who has left the band has gone on to greater things.
The Appleseed Cast has written several influential and well received albums, when you start writing new music is there any pressure to live up to your reputation?
No. The only thing I think about is bringing something new to the band. I want every record to come with a different feel and different ideas.
This was the first collection of songs written without Aaron Pillar, was it different not having him around?
Every record is different no matter who stays or goes. Even if its the same four guys, everyone has changed. With the same person you may write an album in a week, and then a year or two later spend two months trying to flesh out one song. Everyone in the band adds their own element. I loved the element that Aaron brought. I have always written with everyone’s strengths and weaknesses in mind. Those are always changing. Is it different? Yes, it’s always different.
What’s you approach to the guitar? Any major influences?
It all comes from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. The Cure was huge. Echo and the Bunnymen, Love and Rockets, Depeche Mode… Then the D.C. bands. Bad Brains was huge. Definitely some folk tinge too, Dylan, Leonard Cohen… Hard to say really, there have been so many.
I feel like a lot of the songs on Illumination Ritual almost use the drums as the lead instrument. Was this intentional?
The drums were very important to me on this one. I really wanted to create a percussive and energetic album. I also think that (Nathan) Wilder is a incredible drummer, an I wanted to introduce him with a bang. I would agree that his drumming is definitely a centerpiece here.
What was the writing and recording experience like for the new album?
We did it a lot in pieces. Because of our crazy schedules that was the only way we could do it logistically. I’d have Wilder over to record drums to a part I had recorded, and then one by one, I’d get people over to the house to put down their parts. It works in a pinch, but we’ve decided that next time around we’re going to do it all live.
I read that you wrote the lyrics for the album from
midnight to 4 a.m.? Was this intentional? Are there any specific themes or inspiration for the album lyrically?
My wife and I were both up. She helped me tremendously. It was not intentional, that’s just all the time I had. The lyrics really just come from the feeling I get from the music. That’s how I would want them interpreted too.
There has been talk in the past of guys releasing an instrumental album and I feel like you limit your singing on a lot of your songs? What’s your approach to your music vocally? Do you enjoy singing?
I find singing to be both exhilarating and terrifying. True love hate. I actually make an effort to pare down the amount of singing I do on a song. I have a tendency to fill up every second if I don’t. That’s just not what I want Appleseed Cast to be like.
How do you feel the band’s sound has evolved over the years?
It’s been stages. Oscillations. I’d say right now we’re a little more mathy than we have been, maybe ever…which I enjoy a lot.
Looking back on your existence as a band is there anything you would change? Anything that you are particularly proud of?
There are moments in songs that I am proud of. I guess overall I am happy with the majority of what we have done. I’d have to revisit it all to give you a better answer.
Do you ever listen to any of the bands previous albums? Do you listen to your own music at all?
Tons while we’re recording it and getting to know it. Not so much once we start touring on it, because, I’m hearing those songs every night anyway. Every once in a long while, someone else will be playing one of our songs and it will take me a minute until I realize that it’s us.
What’s touring like for you? Do you enjoy it?
There’s a lot of facets to touring. It is at once lonely, and fun. Boring and adrenaline pumping. Rewarding, tiring, stir crazy, and dumbfounding. It’s an alternate reality. There’s a lot of inside your head time.
Any memorable shows that stand out in your mind from all the years of touring?
Logan Utah 1997 about 12 people there. We hit our first chord and the rest of the show was a glorious freak out. I’ll never forget it.
If you could put together your dream tour / show what bands would you include?
I think a Deerhoof tour would be fun. I don’t know. I already do tour with a lot of my favorite bands.
Favorite album or band of all time?
I’m not original on this. Led Zeppelin. Greatest band past present and future.
Illumination Ritual is out now and The Appleseed Cast hits the road starting May 8th, check the links below to download / purchase the album and for details on tour dates.
Links:
Buy Illumination Ritual here