Punk band American Television recently released their new EP, You Are Not Alone, that showcases the power that music can have. BareBones Ent got the chance to sit down with American Television’s drummer, Bryan, to discuss the EP, the power of music, and even dive into working with Smartpunk Records. Check out what all Bryan had to say below.
BBE: What do you think it is about American Television that helps you stand out?
Bryan: We are a very DIY band that makes sure we produce things at the highest quality. We make sure to find collaborators who are extremely talented at what they do, artists and sound engineers, etc. So everything we turn out, we like to think sounds and looks great.
BBE: What is it about this style of music that you enjoy?
Bryan: I really enjoy the combination of aggressive guitars with melodic vocals. I’ve always been drawn to that, ever since I started listening to music.
BBE: Music is such a powerful thing. What are some albums that are especially impactful to your life and why?
Bryan: Repeater by Fugazi had a huge impact on me. The music is obviously top-notch, but it also led me to finding out more about Fugazi and from there, the Dischord Records catalog. They’ve always had such a profound effect on my definition of punk rock and what it means to be an independent artist.
Dixie by Avail is another impactful album for me. Avail is the perfect band at blending aggression and melody. They are also from Virginia and sing about places and events we’re familiar with, so it’s a little more personal.
BBE: You released the single, “You Are Not Alone”, what does that song mean to you?
Bryan: This is a song about the personal connections we make through music. By listening to music, you can be transported to another place and time, reminded of memories, whether good or bad. Music is connective tissue, letting you know there are others out there that might think and feel like you, and the world is better with you in it.
BBE: How did you know that it would be a good single to release?
Bryan: We wanted to introduce the world to our new guitarist with a ripping lead in the intro, and it has a pretty simple sing-along chorus that we’re hoping is a bit of an earworm. Plus as answered above, the message of the song we think resonates on the whole EP.
BBE: How have fans responded to it?
Bryan: We try not to chase numbers, but we’re pretty happy with the amount of listens and views the song and video have gotten, which we think is pretty damn good for a band our size. People have had nice things to say, which continues to inflate our egos.
BBE: This is off the larger EP release of the same name. What can you share with us about the EP?
Bryan: This EP is 6 songs and is our first original recording with our newest member, lead guitarist Chris. We recorded it with Pedro from the Iron Roses and Shotclock down in Richmond, VA, at his studio Audio Verite. That was an absolute delight, and we would recommend anyone who can, to go work with Pedro. The artwork is by Sebas at Sterio Design and features two isolated kids finding a way to build connection through an old tin can phone. It turned out so good!
BBE: Can fans expect a similar style to the title track, or are there a mixture of styles on the EP?
Bryan: We definitely live in the melodic punk world, but there’s a few other influences there. The title track definitely has more of a shreddy intro guitar lick than any others, but there’s also some grunge influence on a song or two, and some poppier parts too.
BBE: What makes Smartpunk Records such a good fit for you?
Bryan: Matt and Danielle and their team have been very supportive and very easy to work with. They’ve given us complete creative control over the full EP and have provided us some really cool opportunities. We played their pop-up tent at the DC stop on this year’s Warped Tour, and we get to hear our music on Sirius XM. It’s all pretty awesome for four guys who do this band as a hobby.
BBE: What is the best way for fans to stay up to date on when music drops and connect with you?
Bryan: Still trying to crack all of the various algorithms, but for now we’re most active on Instagram at @amtvband
BBE: Anything else you would like to add?
Bryan: Thanks so much for doing this. Please check out the Instagram link above for info on shows. We’d love to see you out there! Fuck ICE. [Agreed, FUCK ICE!]
