Introducing:
Sad Son
For Fans Of: Forever Came Calling / Free Throw / Neck Deep
Fresh off the release of his self-titled debut EP, Sad Son chats to us about the recording process, collaborations and puts together a killer playlist of songs that insipired this project in the first place.
While you’re here, check out our review of Sad Son’s EP
Words: Renette van der Merwe
Interview
Let’s pretend you’re setting up a dating profile here – tell us about the band.
Did you never grow out of your high school emo phase? Did you freak out when Fall Out Boy came out of hiatus? Do you miss the old Blink? Did you ever tell your mom “It isn’t a phase”? If you answered yes to any of these questions, swipe right.
Do you remember your first music-related goosebumps moment? Can you share it with us?
Oh yes, I do. I was 13 years old and my mom took me to see Good Charlotte with The Maine at the 9:30 Club in DC. I had just started playing guitar right around that time. I remember standing there in absolute awe watching these guys play. It was at that moment that I knew I wanted to play music.
If you could pick one artist as an honorary band member, who would it be?
This is a tough one… it would be my dream to write with Kenny Vasoli from The Starting Line, so I would throw him on bass in my band.
You’ve just released your debut EP. Was it all self-produced or who did you work with and what was it like in the studio?
Sad Son was an accident. In quarantine, I got pretty depressed and bored from the isolation. I then decided to pick my guitar back up and began writing. My friend Aneel de Albequreque had recently opened 100 Watt Studio with Nashville Producer, Devin Vaughan, in Charleston,SC. I sent them a couple of the demos, and they invited me to come record a song.
We played through ‘Every Time’ twice and then Devin tracked the drums. I tracked some rhythm. Aneel threw down some tasty leads and bass. By the end of the day, we had a single, and the passion had returned. I came back with the rest of the songs on an acoustic guitar. The way Devin & Aneel helped bring these songs to life was almost magical. I could not have done this without them.
“As a really enjoyable introduction to Sad Son, this EP serves as a window to an artist with the understanding that heartbreak is allowed to sound uplifting.”
The Alt Club
‘Every Time’ is pretty relatable to many people. Do you want to talk a little about what inspired you to write the song?
Every Time,” that was written about those relationships where you break up and get back together whenever one of you gets drunk and sends a late “you up?” text. And inevitably break up again just a week later.
One of my friends had been going through this cycle. It was turning into a pretty toxic situation where they would get back together and break up every two weeks. I had experienced a similar relationship about two years before and being empathetic to their situation put me in a place to write the song.
At the end of their relationship, their partner said (paraphrased) “I wish I never met you. You ruined the past three years of my life.” One day that line and the melody for the chorus just popped up in my head. So, I grabbed my guitar, and the song kind of just flowed right out of me.
‘Smokin’ features Taylor Eby from Handguns. How did that come about and how was it collaborating with him?
I booked Handguns in a random kid’s garage back in 2011. I then became friends with the guys and booked them several times over the years. Taylor moved down to Charleston, SC one summer, and we became pretty close then. Taylor and I have kept in touch over the years. I sent him “Every Time,” and he told me he was my new manager lmao. When we recorded the EP, I asked him to hop onto Smokin’. Working with Taylor has been awesome. He has pushed me to make this project something I am truly proud of.
Settle an argument for us (and the rest of the world)… is a hotdog a sandwich?
Not only is a hotdog a sandwich, but a taco is also a sandwich, don’t @ me.
Music
Inspiration
Rising to the challenge, Sad Son have put together an electrifying collection of songs that best encapsulates the artists and music that inspire them as a band.
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