In Conversation With #253 - Skating Polly
Grunge-pop pioneers Skating Polly have just released their new album 'Chaos County Line' via El Camino Media.
On their new double album 'Chaos County Line', Skating Polly reach a whole new level of self-possession, ultimately sharing their most expansive and emotionally powerful work to date. The follow-up to 2018’s 'The Make It All Show', 'Chaos County Line' finds Skating Polly showcasing the depth of their growth, both as songwriters and personally. Whether they’re opening up about matters internal (identity, disassociation, unhealthy coping mechanisms) or external (obsession, deception, gaslighting), Skating Polly imbue that outpouring with an unfettered emotional truth.
They took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Skating Polly - how are you? So your album is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
We're doing great!! As I answer this it's still not officially out!! Should be dropping late tonight. I suspect it'll feel wonderful though. I'm so ready for the songs to be available to the world. We're playing lots of them in our set, including a couple on piano!
It is called ‘Chaos County Line’ - what is the meaning behind that?
I kept describing it as chaotic. But it's a lot of different kinds of chaos. And to me it feels like the intersection of chaos and so many other things depending on the track. Like it's straddling the border because it's not ready to become a full citizen.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
We recorded it at Seagrass Studio in LA with Brad Wood. Ooh there were so many. I think building up the bridge on "Singalong" was very memorable. We wanted to go into "Fairy World" so we all just kept trying things that we thought sounded magical and out of this world. I loved that nothing was off limits for it and that we purposely wanted to find something that was different from everything else on the record. Me and Peyton ended up singing this operatic vocal drill, we played with some wild synth sounds, wrote this trippy loopy guitar line, added harmonies on harmonies. When we were all done I remember thinking "how the hell is Brad gonna mix this?". But he has a true gift for mixing so all of it was just beautiful supporting texture instead of overwhelming noise. I love when that part hits. I also really enjoyed watching Pey write the ending for "Charlie's Brother" in the studio. She took it line by line, just vocalizing and harmonizing with herself. It was really stunning and special. So emotional even though it's completely wordless.
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
I wrote most of my songs on this record from or about the sides of my personality that I'm not comfortable being. I think obsession is a theme. I think heartbreak and rejection are themes. And then just our experience of being siblings and growing up together is a reoccurring theme that kinda glued the whole thing together.
If the album could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
I feel like if Miranda July ever made The First Bad Man into a movie this could be a great soundtrack. Because she's so good at making uncomfortable things beautiful. Sad things funny, sweet things creepy, and just being really moving and thought provoking in her oddball way. Hopefully this album does some of the same things for people!
Do you have a favorite lyric on the album - if so, which one and why?
Changes all the time for me but right now I'll go with
"I might take my eyes off the prize just to see what I encounter"
I just like the different meanings that can hold depending on your perspective. I like how it's not exactly positive or negative it's just in flux. All about as the photographer Sally Mann would say "praying to the angel of uncertainty".
Now the album is out there - what next?
I wanna make a ton of great videos. I wanna record alternate versions of songs. I wanna tour tour tour and go to cities and countries we've never seen!
