Ahead of Static Panic’s performance at First Avenue’s Best New Bands of 2018 in the First Avenue Mainroom on Friday, January 4, we got to ask Ro, Eli, and Keston a few questions. Read what they had to say below:
Sophie Stephens: Your EP Chrome gives an honest look into self-discovery and sexuality. Would you say that this theme is influenced by the political atmosphere of today?
Ro: It’s certainly hard to ignore, the current political climate. However, I think that a lot of my inspiration at the moment comes from an introspective place, as I learn and grow, make mistakes, get messy… it’s all in good fun.
Eli: No, music is a means by which we study and express ourselves as honestly as possible. Our expression of sexuality and self-discovery is simply an honest look at our collective experience. While the current political atmosphere hasn’t prompted this theme, it has made it more relevant.
Keston: We are influenced by our lives. The challenges we face in this world as individuals. We don’t try to strike controversy, we just try to be our true selves. it just so happens that what we embody and what we find to true ourselves, and the communities which we associate ourselves with, are tangled in political strife.
Sophie Stephens: How do you know when a song is finished?
Ro: Never feels like it is, honestly. You chisel away at each song like it’s your Magnum Opus, and you pray that it lands the way it looks in your head; on stage and at home. It’s a good feeling to be excited about our own body of work, and share my emotions with people willing to listen, with a strong backbeat. When I feel I can accomplish that in a four-minute song, it’s done.
Eli: My natural inclination is to keep adding more to a song and fill as much space as possible. Recently, we’ve been taking a slightly more minimalistic approach and focusing on the use of empty space. Our songs are never truly finished. They’re constantly changing and evolving as we continue to play them.
Keston: If I feel like I’ve said what I needed to say, I’ll stop trying to add and focus more on what I need to “fill” when it comes to instrumentals. However, the life of these songs goes as long as we play them. They will forever be in a flux and change as long as we keep them in the live shows.
Sophie Stephens: In the past, you have played in the 7th St Entry and the Fine Line. How is the group feeling about hitting the Mainroom stage?
Ro: It’s a powerful feeling. There’s so much energy and history to that room, and the folx at First Ave really know how to put on a show. It’s such a dream, seeing artists you feel connected to, there…being able to say you’ve experienced that stage on both sides of the guardrail is a lifetime achievement.
Eli: We’re beyond excited to be playing the Mainroom. After years of watching our favorite musicians perform there, following in their footsteps is surreal.
Keston: We’ve played 7th street entry countless times, as a group and as individuals. Mainstage is lit. we gon’ f*** it up.
Sophie Stephens: What do you admire most about the other bands that will be a part of the Best of New Bands showcase?
Ro: I’ve realized recently that each and every one of the bands in the showcase are bands that I heard about from either similar bills, or from friends as local acts to check out. It’s so cool and inspiring to see other groups making moves at a similar pace and trajectory, knowing how much work goes into it, respect for sticking with it. Keep up the hard work, y’all, we got this.
Eli: I admire their dedication. All of these bands have put in really hard work over the last year to get here.
Keston: These bands are the real deal. They well represent a level playing field for the future of music.
Blog by Sophie Stephens (Marketing Intern)
