A couple of time ago, the Appleseed Cast released their album "Mare Vitalis" which I like very much. In the next few weeks / months their new record should be released. Before that I decided to ask them a little bit about the current situation in the band...

 

Hey there, who is answering my questions, how are you at the moment and do you have anything to start this interview off with?

 

This is Aaron, I play guitar and sing a little bit, I’m at work and its snowing like crazy outside....

 

Let's talk a little bit about your latest album 'Mare Vitalis' first. Why did you give it a Latin title (‘Mare Vitalis’ means sea life)? How did you come up with that title, can you speak Latin?

 

Josh our drummer takes Latin in school, we used the Latin words ‘cause we thought it sounded cooler, we thought sea life sounded sorta cheesy...

 

The cover art of that album is very beautiful in my opinion. How did you choose these pictures and are they connected with the title of the record and/or the songs?

 

We got the pictures from our tour last year, on the west coast, driving along the beach, they sort of connect to keep the ocean theme going on, the main theme though is missing home, which for me and Chris (singer) is California, very near the ocean...

 

Was the cover artwork drawn especially for the album or was it done before the record and why did you use it?

 

Yes, my friend Sam drew it, we proposed the idea at a show. He is an artist an we thought it was a good thing for him and I love his work, the picture really helped give us ideas for finishing the vocals and lyrics.....

 

When I first looked at your song titles I had the impression that they are all connected to the title of the album (e.g. 'Poseidon', 'Storms'). Is that right? Are the single lyrics belonging together and with which topics do they deal?

 

The titles are mostly in relation to the album theme, but some are not, like “Secret” for example, and to tell you the truth, I’m not sure what Chris is talking about on that one, the lyrics came last for us on the record so it was kinda whatever worked, but there is still the overwhelming theme of missing our homes and families, we moved to Kansas about 6 months before we recorded and were slightly homesick, it’s a big change of pace out in Kansas as opposed to California, I think the song “Storms” and maybe “Kilgore trout” are more trying to get some pain and frustration out of my head....

 

Why did you name one song 'Mare mortis' when the whole album is called 'Mare vitalis', does that have any special meaning?

 

Well it’s not that special but the way the song came out with the huge build up ending it seemed like good title, the total opposite of vitalis, plus the ocean is kinda like that, it brings life to us but takes life as well....

 

Do you like the way the record turned out now in retrospect? Would you change anything if you had the chance to do so?

 

We all love it, the only we would change is probably to have more time to do vocals and put more weird stuff on it like pianos and organs and stuff like that, but were all proud of that record...

 

The album was recorded way back in September 1999, right? And now your new record is finished. What can you tell me about this one, how about the direction of the songs, any major differences to 'Mare vitalis'?

 

The new record is in the same vein as “Vitalis” but much more developed I think, more musicianship, more instruments, better vocals, much more attention to details and all the little nuances, not to sound egotistical but I think we made an amazing record, its a real trip to listen to all the way through....

 

Where did you record that new album, who produced it? By the way, did you like Ed Rose' work on 'Mare vitalis'?

 

We did it with Ed Rose at Red House again, Ed is like our fifth member, we hopefully will always be able to record with him, he’s the best, always makes us to the best we can and take chances to try crazy stuff and push the songs to new levels....

 

I heard you've been to Europe lately, right? When was that and how did you like it? How long have you been over here and with which band(s)? What are the major differences in Europe compared to the US in your opinion when it comes to shows/fans as well as daily life?

 

We were there October of 99, it was great, the kids really seem to enjoy it more than over here, plus they treated us very well, we played with Spy vs Spy, The International Noise Conspiracy and Jimmy Eat World, there’s a bunch of other guys we played with who I cant remember. I think daily life in Europe is much more relaxed and enjoyable that here in America, people are less stressed and have a good time, Americans are all freaked out and work too much.... (I guess I’m an American, ‘cause I work too much, too. Now would everybody please feel sad for me? Thank you. – Stefan)

 

I also heard some of you guys have kind of a side project. What can you tell me about that? Will you put out some songs and what musical direction will you follow with that project?

 

Yeah its called Hundred Hands, it’s me and Chris, the main thing is I sing on it, it should be out soon, its like a little more poppy, but still rockin’ as well, it’s on Deep Elm...

 

The title of your debut full length 'End of the ring wars' reminds me to J.R.R. Tolkien's great book 'Lord of the rings.' Did you take the title from there and what do you think about that book (I love it)? What kind of literature do you prefer?

 

Oh no this question again, sorry, no it’s not from Tolkien, great book however, the record has a secret meaning to Chris, Chris is a big Kurt Vonnegut fan, I like Bukowski, the beat writer stuff, I like sci fi too....

 

How did that 7" on Swedish label Tan Bur come to reality? Isn't it sometimes difficult to work together as a band and label when being so far away from each other?

 

John from Deep Elm set that up, we didn’t really have anything to do with it, but I guess it’s a bit difficult getting things done...

 

And then there’s this Split MCD with Race Car Riot and Planes Mistaken For Stars. Was that an idea of Deep Elm?

 

Yeah, another John idea, it’s a cool split though, we recorded one song in a bathroom with our friend Alex, that was a lot of fun, and that Plains Mistaken For Stars song kicks ass…

 

In the past you were sometimes compared to Mineral and Sunny Day Real Estate. Do you like this comparison and how would you describe your musical style?

 

Yeah we were and I guess we did, but I think that was also 4 years ago, our musical style is whatever you want to call it, rock and roll with an atmosphere to it, I guess were a little experimental and soundtrack sounding but its still rock, we just want to make good music in the end...

 

What do you think, how long will you keep on making music with Appleseed Cast as well as in general?

 

Hopefully we’ll all play forever, I always want to play guitar, as far as the band goes, for awhile still, we have never talked about not making music, as long as kids still want us to make records we will...

 

Do you all have jobs, do you go to school or do you study or is the band a full time thing? What exactly are you doing?

 

Me and Chris work full time, Josh and Marc go to school, the band would be a great full time thing but not yet, I have a girlfriend and stuff, we go see bands go out to bars, watch sports the usual stuff...

 

You come from Kansas, right? How would you describe the scene there and do you like living there?

 

Well California originally but Kansas as a whole sucks but Lawrence where we live is really fun, lots of young people, lots of shows and music, good food, its a good place to live, cheap rent, good looking girls, if it was just closer to the ocean it would be great...

 

I think we’re at the end, any final statement?

 

Anyway that’s about it, come see us this summer, were gonna come and kick some ass!!!!!!!!

(Stefan Münch)