Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I was born in the UK and moved to Toronto, Canada at a fairly young age. My immediate family are all musicians or music lovers to some degree, so it’s been a big part of my life from day one.
I was very much that teenager who lived in his headphones, attempting to be creative in my own ways, usually drawing. Writing music and being in a band always felt like something I wanted to do, but also felt so far away at the same time in terms of my reach, I was a bit shy and reserved. I took a long detour into the world of visual arts, but I came out on the other side realizing drawing wasn’t giving me the same goosebumps that music had always provided, eventually one interest took over the other, and I began writing songs more than I was doing anything else.
Trevor and Dave (the other 2/3rds of Modern Life) I’m sure would share that same notion – we only met a year or so ago, but they’ve been in a band together since they were teenagers, so it was pretty clear music has always been a big part of their lives as well.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: Right now I am big into DRAIN’s album ‘California Cursed’, their new album ‘Living Proof’ is out so I’m pretty excited for that.
‘Seotaji VI’ is an awesome album from 2000.
Enumclaw’s album ‘Save the Baby’, Porches ‘The House’, and The Smashing Pumpkins ‘Siamese Dream’ are on repeat lately as well.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘Modern Life Elixir’?
A: I would have to say Prozzak and Gorillaz. The intertwining of music and cartoon visuals was always appealing to me at a young age. Aside from that, I love Happy Mondays and the whole ‘madchester’ scene of the 80’s. I would point to them as my main musical inspiration.
At the time I was coming up with a name for this music, I was reading about alchemists, and their search for the ‘Elixir of Life’, a potion that could grant you eternal life, or eternal youth. Modern Life Elixir was just a string of words I’d say in my head, it kind of stuck and I haven’t let it go. I like to think it describes how music makes us feel, not necessarily young, but eternal.
Q: You have just released your new EP, ‘Wet Fleece’. Is there a story behind it?
A: I would say more of an observation about the ways we carry around ideas or habits that used to serve us when we were younger, well into adulthood. In turn, they make us uncomfortable, or hold us back to some degree. Wet Fleece felt like a descriptor of that notion, something that was once comforting, but is now soaked, heavy, and a weight on our shoulders.
Q: What is the message of your music?
A: I feel like my answer changes everyday, but If there was something solidified, I would say that modern life is more complicated than ever, so lean into the things that uncomplicate it for you.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: The elements of our music that I would hope resonate with people are texture and melody. I have a bad habit of not understanding that too much of a good thing is a bad thing, so when I am producing, I tend to want a thousand different synths, guitars, and whatever samples I can find to somehow all work at once. In the midst of that mess, it can end up dictating the melody. I am often hoping those two elements are working well enough together to create something unique or memorable for listeners.
I would describe our sound as energetic, bubble gum alternative guitar pop, with a kind of sarcastic or campy lyricism.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: I have always found our music to be incredibly fulfilling. Even back when I knew I sounded extra terrible, I was just proud of exercising my right to create. The expectation for anything more has always paled in comparison to pleasing my ears first. Maybe it’s an egotistical or self indulgent idea, but It has helped me dig myself in ways I was never able to before. The expectation for anything more just allows for moments of disappointment. Being disappointed is always a bummer, so I think we have a good thing going.
With that being said, it would be inhuman to pretend that we wouldn’t care if others listened to our music. There’s a reason we’re promoting, playing shows, or telling others about Modern Life, and it’s simply because we’re excited, and it would be amazing to know our music gets someone else feeling the same — but do I expect them to feel that way? No.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do you usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: It varies between songs, and usually comes in pieces. I usually work in loops, and make everything in my apartment on the computer. If I can get something looping that sounds interesting enough to me, I end up in the vocal booth just attempting to sing or come up with lyrics on the spot. It’s my favorite part, because it kind of snowballs into a series of one-upping myself. If I come up with lyrics that are interesting to me, then I have to justify them by making the music sound as interesting. I go back and forth between all the instruments. I fully believe my lack of proper musical knowledge is a gift and a curse. It can get frustrating, but often enough if you just leave things alone and give them space, your mind will distance itself, and the whole process seems new again. But this time, you have whatever you worked on in your last session to prop things onto some real legs. It’s not always that concrete, and sometimes you just write something in a day or two and can’t get away from it. I always go by the saying ‘ the best songs are not written, but rewritten.’ Not saying I write the best songs in the world, but as long as it feels that way, the potential for what they could turn into creates the motivation to push forward. I think the key is getting better at knowing when to stop, or when to know you’re finished.
One consistent strand in all of our music, is that the last thing I do is mull over lyrics for weeks at a time. They are not always the most profound, but there needs to be some cohesion to myself. Guitar tones, bad takes, or sour notes always come second to, ‘is what I’m singing about making any sense?’. Maybe it’s because the words are what I pay most attention to when listening to music myself. It’s a bit of a blur to some degree, but it’s part of what makes it fun.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: So far it has mainly just been pushing forward through the monotony of knowing you kind of are not good at this thing you really want to be good at. It’s a fleeting feeling but a while ago I set out to do something, and there’ve been tons of road blocks, personal problems and silly strings blocking my vision. It’s not exactly this story of perseverance that is highly inspiring, but one of navigating how to get out of your own way.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: Without a doubt my proudest and most significant moment is meeting Dave and Trevor. For all the horror stories you hear about starting a band, people quitting, bickering and arguments, it blows my mind on a regular basis that these two former strangers hold such a strong belief that the music I am writing would be worth playing on stage. They are nonstop enthusiastic about doing whatever it takes to make this work, and I feel proud to say that it’s slowly evolved from ‘my music’ into ‘our music’ over the last little while.
Quite literally as I am typing this, Trevor is meeting a stranger on the internet to buy me a new guitar, since I have no idea what guitars are good ones. Dave is excited and supportive that this EP is coming out. It’s been fun so far, so big shout out to them.
Second to all of that, our most significant moment as a band is occurring right now with the release of Wet Fleece. It’s the first time I’ve had something worth shouting, and the right people to shout it with.
