Band Of The Week - The Winter Passing
This week’s Band Of The Week is The Winter Passing, who have just released their new album ‘New Ways Of Living’ via Big Scary Monsters. The band are emerging from Dublin’s DIY punk/hardcore scene, and certainly putting themselves out in front as one of the city’s most creative forces when it comes to music. We had a chat with the band about the release.
Hey everyone at The Winter Passing, how are you? So your album is out now, how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Hey, all good thank you! It feels great to finally have the record out. We’re very proud of it!
It is titled ‘New Ways Of Living’ - does that hold a certain meaning to you?
Yeah, ‘New Ways of Living’ for us was the conclusion to the story we had left in the album. The build-up aggression and angst that’s documented throughout the album. The title can be perceived as a mindset also.
The album is being released by Big Scary Monsters - how did that partnership come about?
We’ve been on Big Scary Monsters since 2017 now, we worked with them on our last release (2017’s Double Exposure EP). We all first met in Gainesville, Florida at The Fest in 2016, we hung out together and had some beers. Everytime we’re touring the UK someone for the label will always come to one of our shows. We’re very fortunate to work with such a great independent label.
How does the album differ from your first?
Our music is very much lyrically based on each of our own current life struggles and our mental health. After writing NWOL I feel like we have evolved so much, both mentally and musically, from when we wrote our first album. That's not to say that the first album isn't a reflection of honesty, because it is, but I just think we have a better understanding of ourselves as a band and also as individuals this time around.
Where was the album recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process?
We recorded the album in Southampton, UK with producer Neil Kennedy at The Ranch Production House over two weeks in October/November 2019. I feel like we added so much more to every song on the album once we got to Southampton. The creative process seemed to take on a new lease of life once we began tracking the album. I feel like it was a great setting for us all to find full potential and creative flow from our music.
What are the key themes and influences on this album?
Self-analysis, self-assurance and letting go of aggression and angst are some of the main themes we addressed on the album.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
There are many lyrics that standout on the album to me really, one that always comes to mind is the last song on the album ‘Mind Yourself’. The line “trust me, it’s not your fault, I’ll take the blame”. I guess it stands out to me because this song was one of Kate’s writings from the record, but when we were working on the chorus we needed a line and I had suggested that. I guess it’s like a call in response to my sister, that I always have her back.
Now the album is out there, what next?
We’ve been very unfortunate this year with our touring schedule like every other band, so we’re looking forward to running it back as soon as possible and get back to playing shows. We’re excited to perform ‘New Ways of Living’.