Still Corners and another 10 questions with TotalNtertainment. With a new album on the horizon we spoke with Tessa about the challenges of releasing album under exceptional circumstances and moving to another planet.
1. Thanks for your time, how is life treating you at the moment?
It’s going pretty well. It’s been a quieter year than we anticipated for the band but it’s been good to have a breather, a chance to reflect and discover new music and films to fill our time. From a band perspective, we’re very excited to have a couple of new songs out there and can’t wait for everyone to hear the whole album.
2. The brilliant new album is due out in this month, how much of a challenge has it been to get new music out in 2020?
We were initially hoping to get The Last Exit out into the world much earlier but other events made that difficult! In the end it was better for us as we thought we’d finished the album in early 2020 but had the chance to revisit it. We added about five songs, took away some others and re-recorded lots of it. The album would have been very different without COVID.
3. For fans of the group, how would you describe the album and how much influence has the way 2020 has turned out been on the new material?
It’s an album about the open road, a desert noir odyssey – a black and white road film turned to technicolor. In a world where everyone thinks all the corners of the map are filled in we like to think there’s something beyond that, something eternal in the landscape and in our psyche. Folklore and mystery permeate the album but we were definitely affected by current events so that comes through as well. Crying’, ‘Static”, ‘Till We Meet Again’ were written just as everything locked down. We saw things in a new light, everything was very quiet on a personal level but at the same time huge global events were affecting most of us in some way.
4. Having a new album out right at the beginning of the year is a great way to set you up for the year. Have you planned out 2021 for the group yet. If so, what are those plans?
Aside from the new album, we’re playing 2021 by ear really but hoping to be out on the road again towards the end of the year. We’ll be working on new music as well, that part never really stops, especially when you don’t have touring to take you away from the studio.
5. 2020 was a write-off for most people and 2021 promises to be equally as uncertain. How did you keep yourselves and each other motivated through 2020?
As musicians, we’re quite used to uncertainty so I think that helps dealing with the current climate. We just focus on what we can control which normally centres around creativity. We’re lucky that we have our own studio close to home which means that we can continue to write and record. We’ve also been taking more photos and making videos which has been fun.
6. How do you feel about the uncertainty of 2021 – are you excited, apprehensive, scared?
We’re just taking each step as it comes. It seems like the first part of the year is going to be pretty tricky in terms of the virus but the encouraging developments with vaccines definitely provide a great deal of hope that things will start to get back to normal.
7. The three recent singles are part of a “road” trilogy. Can you talk us through the inspiration and thought behind that trilogy and, looking at your new material, are there any other concepts running through them?
We’ve done a lot of driving when touring, particularly in the US and it’s hard not to get captivated by the vast expanse of the American landscape. The thought that you can just get in a car and drive is so real that we keep returning to themes of the open road and travel. The Trip was about starting a journey, The Message about driving away from a failed relationship and The Last Exit is the voyage to the final destination, what we’ll find there we just don’t know but we’re pulled to it regardless.
8. If 2020 had been a normal year, how would Still Corners be celebrating Christmas and, on that note, what are you hoping for under the tree this year?
There would definitely be more socialising, catching up with family and friends. It’s always nice to go to some kind of carol concert which won’t be possible this year but Christmas soundtracks have already been getting a good airing. Hmm in terms of presents, always socks, just can’t get enough.
9. Just for fun: If you could start life again on another planet, what three things would you take with you when you leave Earth?
Good question! This is entirely impractical but I would take a piano, a hot tub and a case of champagne. I’d like to start off with some serious relaxation before getting to work on making the planet habitable.
10. Thanks again for your time and good luck for 2021. Just to finish what are your hopes for the next 12 months?
Thank you. Hopefully things will return to near normal in 2021 and it would be fantastic to get back on the road and meet some of our fans again.
You can find out more about the album here: www.stillcorners.com and you can read our review of the album coming soon.
