This week’s Artist of the Week is West Virginia natives, A Story Told. Check out our Q&A with singer Alex Chaney below!
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1. Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, my name is Alex Chaney and I sing for the band A Story Told.
2. How would you describe your sound?
Great question. I would describe our sound as melody-driven pop rock. Something like that
3. What are some of your musical influences?
Musical influences. Well, Josh Allen and I as the main writers, come from different musical backgrounds. Josh grew up as and always has been a pop-punk kid. He idolized Tom DeLonge and Blink 182. I had my pop-punk phase and still love it today, but a lot of my musical influence comes from my parents. My dad was really into Pink Floyd, Men At Work, Yes, Chicago. My mom was really into Amy Grant so those artists growing up are always a part of you. But as far as more recent influences, definitely Paramore, Lorde, Taylor Swift, One Republic to name a few.
4. What about your nonmusical influences?
That’s a really tough question lol. Artists in 2017 seem to be so much more than just that. If we’re talking influences in our music that are non-musical, I would just say life experiences. I always try draw inspiration from real life experiences that everyone can relate to.
5. Tell us a little bit about your new album, “Good Looks”.
“Good Looks” is a record that we are tremendously proud of and we’re so excited it’s finally out there for people to listen to. The album contains a message that weighs heavy on our hearts and we are thrilled to present a collective expression of a subject that is so relevant to our generation. We have seen firsthand over the past two years how much of an impact music can make, and we are excited to continue to evolve and spread our message with this release.
The record embodies this ongoing message that “good looks ain’t everything. It’s very sarcastic. The title is sarcastic. Just blowing up this idea of ‘looks’ and seeing people on the surface level. It may not always be truthful to the full story of a person and their life.
We definitely tried to step outside our comfort zone with this new album. This time around we intentionally challenged ourselves to write a more focused record, incorporating a ton of new influences and trying new things, all while keeping the integrity of the band. As much as this was a challenge, it also produced a whole new level of excitement for the band and the music we were creating. In terms of inspiration, there is definitely some debris from our last album that carried over into Good Looks, but as a whole, we really wanted to hit on new subject matters and write a record that focused on the present times that we are living in. Social media and the role it plays in today’s society was a huge inspiration for this record.
6. What is something you would like to achieve by the end of the year?
Honestly just having as many people as possible listening to our music.
7. What is your dream collaboration?
Definitely Ryan Tedder.
8. What is your songwriting process like?
Most of the time it starts with Josh writing a sweet riff and general chord progression to build a rough “foundation” of the song and I see what I can write over top of that. Here recently it’s been a good mix of Josh and I both presenting the initial ideas and building on those together from there. The writing and recording process for Good Looks was a very natural process. The success of our debut record “Keep Watch” completely took us by surprise, so coming off of that release we were so inspired to get right back into the studio and create its follow up. I think all of us knew we wanted to continue to explore new sounds and start to incorporate newer influences, as well as bring light to subject matters that weren’t touched on our previous release. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience.
9. What do you hope fans get out of your music?
Really just something that they can relate to. Music really is one of the best sources of expression as a songwriter but even more as a listener. Whether that be just having a new jam that you can senselessly scream at the top of your lungs to, or having that song you keep going back to that gives you that “this song is exactly what I’m going through right now” feeling.
10. What is a song you wish you wrote and why?
Right now? Definitely “In Bloom” by Neck Deep. It tells a normal tale in such a fresh way. The chorus melody and hook is the catchiest thing I’ve ever heard.
11. Coffee or Tea?
If it’s hot, coffee. If it’s cold, tea.
12. Current obsession song?
Do You Care (feat. Iselin) by Ryan Riback
13. Favorite T.V. show?
Easily Breaking Bad. All time
14. Ocean or Pool?
Pool for sure. Ocean is scary but lovely to look at.
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