Sam Carter gave me some time to talk about his band Architects new album The Sky, The Earth and All Between. We talked about how much he expanded his vocals in this album as well as the work they did with wunderkind producer Jordan Fish. He explains their latest single ‘Broken Mirror’ was written right after the song that ended up being the bands first US number one song ‘Everything Ends’ and was something that he explains was something that brought the whole band together in a song of this type.
‘We wanted something that was kind of more band vibe, with the sort of melodic attention to detail. It was just kind of exploring my voice, really, getting a bit more of the emotion in there. A bit more of the soul. We’re really happy with it, to be able to release a fourth single off of this record is cool and it kind of shows how much room there is to release stuff off of this and give the album the attention people think it deserves, I’m totally happy to shine a light on it. We worked so hard on it and it’s our most successful album we’ve ever released and at this point in our career we’re just so happy to have that.’
We talked about what it’s like for bands in the UK compared to the US in terms of radio play and he goes into it.
‘It’s interesting. I think for us we didn’t realize how big American radio was until a couple of years ago, then we really started to understand actually what it is. Because it’s not the same in the UK. There’s a few radio stations and there’s charts but there are charts for like sales not for like plays. So for us it’s been really cool to meet and say thanks to people like yourself who played the songs because you’re really give our band a shot in America. I think a lot of people discover their new favorite bands through American radio and that’s really cool! It’s a special thing that you guys have and I wish we had more of it over here.’
We went into the creative process that he and the band took into creating their latest album The Sky, The Earth and All Between. This album was one that Sam really took his vocals to a new level so I asked what inspired him to do so.
‘I just wanted to make my life as a sort of musician a complete pain in the fucking ass. (laughs)’
He goes into it saying he had a process of losing his confidence in his voice and the way he had to rebuild his confidence. He said Jordan Fish really pulled out some really great performances and he’s able to really hone his ferocity in his vocals. He goes into what Jordan brought to the studio that helped bring out the best from the band .
‘The best thing about his is he came in the studio and told us what was good about our band. I think when you self produce your last few you can get a little lost in it and fall into the same tricks and doing the same things…He was a producer that could make us see what was special about us and what was good. And it was also good to have someone say ‘That was good! Push with that!’…it just worked.’
We talked about his favorite song ‘Elegy’ and how he is a little nervous about how the song goes live, saying he’s “Going through hell up there” but also stating it’s probably the best album openers the band has ever had.
‘It’s beautiful one minute then next it’s smashing you in the face like a building is falling down. I think it’s everything that’s great about Architects in a three minute song.’
We talked about the lyrics being poignant towards certain fans that had a lot to say about the band and it’s direction. I asked if it felt better to get those words out.
‘Yea, yea it really does. I think actually you feel a bit smug, because, you’re like ‘Ahh fuck you.’ I watched the Paul McCartney documentary ‘Band On The Run’ on Prime last night…I didn’t realize how hard he got panned in the 70’s when he was out of the Beatles and the first few records he was putting together…People were straight up taking the McC out of it. And then when he went on tour with Wings in America it was like the biggest ever rock tour that had gone through the country. You could just see his energy be like, “I was right.” And I think the feeling of going through some of the things people were saying about me and my band make you stronger, makes you feel like you really love what you do and you love this band. And I care about it more than anyone could ever imagine. [To] anyone that leaves a YouTube comment or whatever, cool, you don’t live this, I do. And I bet you I care more about an Architects album than you do [laughs] ‘Seein’ Red’ was a really nice way of doing it, in terms of like, we knew what we were doing, we were prodding them, we know what you want and we’ll give you it, but at the same time we’re gong to take the piss out of you and ourselves. It broke down walls people had set up against us and them being like ‘Oh they get it. They’re just a band, they’re not trying to save the world.’ Music should be fun. No matter how heavy or emotional things were we were laughing…And that’s what it should be, this energy of excitement is what I think is important.’
We wrapped up the interview talking about his new hobby of photography which is available on his Instagram. Architects will be on the road this spring making a stop at The Rave on May 14th.
[Spreaker: Decker] [YouTube: Architects] [Concert Calendar] [Instagram: Sam Carter]
