Interview: Silver Relics

Silver Relics

Interview By: Emily May | Photo: Gail Thacker

New York-based singer/songwriter/performer Alex Sepassi knew from a young age that he wanted to make music. He honed his raw talent as a vocalist and performer at the age of ten and as a songwriter in his late teens. Heavily influenced by the British songwriters of the 1960s and 1970s, he later discovered psychedelic and brooding 80s indie rock. In late 2017, he and drummer Justin Alvis formed the New York psych-rock band Silver Relics, an art project that centered around the music and which blended classic and modern sounds. They released their first album, generic., in May of 2019. The album was produced by acclaimed producer Howie Beno, whom Sepassi met in 2016, and was well-received in the US and Europe. After a successful tour of Ireland and The UK that summer, Alvis made the decision to depart the band to pursue other things and Sepassi brought on bassist/composer Mark Crozer [The Jesus and Mary Chain], drummer/producer Brian Young [Fountains of Wayne], and drummer Hitomi. In what could be labeled a period of rebirth for Silver Relics, working with the new line up has given Sepassi a fresh perspective and excitement for the new music being written. Silver Relics is currently finishing their sophomore album, mixed and produced by Brian Young, is due to be released in early 2022. The band recently released “Tails”, the first single from the new album, with the concept being based on the union between the human and animalistic traits that exist in all of us. With plans to finish the album by the end of this year, the band is very music looking forward to playing the new songs live and on tour. Make sure to follow Silver Relics via the links below to stay up-to-date on all upcoming album and tour news!

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You started honing your talent as a vocalist and performer at the age of 10 and as a songwriter by your late teens.  What can you tell me about your childhood and discovering your love and talent for music at a young age, as well as developing an interest in your other artistic mediums, such as painting?

Alex: It's been an obsession since I can remember. I naturally gravitate towards artists and the community, so in a lot of ways, not much has changed. My teachers have always been encouraging and have helped me develop an aptitude for writing. I surround myself with music constantly. When it comes to painting and my other areas of interest, I naturally take a much different approach. With music, I know how something should sound, whereas with painting, the process and outcome is more open and undefined. It's all about expression and intention when it comes down to it.

Having started writing songs at a young age, what was that process like for you in the beginning and how has it evolved over the years?

Alex: When I first started writing, I was very particular about how the songs compared to the bands I listened to at the time. That's how I gauged how far along a song was. It's a practice, just like anything else, so over time I refined my sound and mysteriously lost or did away with the idea of comparison towards existing artists. It’s been one big freeing growth experiment. 

You have said that songwriting is your expression and interpretation of your conscious and subconscious.  I have heard other artists discuss how at times they have had songs write themselves.  Have you ever had songs of yours write themselves, almost like being channeled from your subconscious?

Alex: Yes! That happens frequently. I think the key is understanding and managing my relationship with my subconscious. If you're a musician you've probably heard the phrase “don't overthink it.” It's annoying but true. In my experience, songs that write themselves happen when my mind has already made the decision for me not to overthink. It feels like I'm at my most creative in those moments.

You formed Silver Relics in 2017 with drummer Justin Alvis (who has since left the band) and have said that the band operates as an art project centered around the music.  What can you tell me about incorporating painting, fashion, photo and film, and poetry, as well as live shows, into the project and how all of those other modes of art inspire and influence you?

Alex: I like to surround myself and my life with art/artists. The art-based concept is meant to express our vision for art and the community. It seems natural to incorporate conceptually for this band. Music outside of the scope of music while incorporating it into the music. 

You have said that Silver Relics has a "songs first" approach.  How would you describe that approach?

Alex: Yes, I do say that a lot. It's true. When I write a song, it's usually just me and my guitar, so I develop a certain relationship with it from the beginning. It's important to me that we're mindful of the roots of the tune when we're working out parts as a band, so that the integrity remains intact at every stage. I've been told it's a classic rock type of philosophy, and it serves as a guide even if or when the arrangement, key or tempo changes.

You met and started working with renowned producer Howie Beno in 2016 and soon after started recording the material that would comprise the band's first album.  What can you tell me about meeting and working with Howie and what you have learned from working with him?

Alex: Working with Howie Beno was brilliant. And it happened to coincide with a pretty large and creative growth spurt for the two of us. Howie's philosophy, focus and work ethic were exactly what I was looking for while writing “generic.” He pushed and challenged me on pretty much every vocal take and was in constant pursuit of growth and perfection. He was a lot of fun to work with behind the booth. One of my favorite things Howie has said is that a song is just an ongoing conversation up until the point of release. The cement doesn't settle until then, as he put it. 

Justin recently left the band to pursue other things and you brought on Mark Crozer, Brian Young and Hitomi.  What can you tell me about meeting these artists and bringing them into the band?  What influences did they bring with them and in what ways have they informed the sound of the band?  Have they changed your perspective on how you approach the band and the music you write?

Alex: I love everything about this team. Working with Mark, Brian and Hitomi has brought so much definition to this band. During the pandemic, it took time to reexamine or redefine the concept of team. I feel very lucky that we're collectively working on this album together. It's been an easy adjustment for us to mesh stylistically from the beginning. Right now, Hitomi, Mark and I have been working with our engineer, Brandt Gassman, in his Williamsburg studio. Brian and I worked together in his LA studio last month and have our next sessions scheduled at the end of October. And with that I can say my perspective has grown quite a bit while working on this record with this team.

In August, the band released it's new single "Tails", from your upcoming sophomore album, inspired by the instinctive aspects of humanity and the non-verbal communication we use daily.  What sparked the inspiration to write on that topic?  What led you all to choose that song as the first single?  

Alex: The concept for “Tails” is based on the union between the human and animalistic traits that exist in all of us. I started to observe the way people communicate with each other on a non-verbal level. The lyrics are inspired by this form of communication and observation. All the things we say and don't say to one another but can easily communicate through body language and how those interact with our primal human nature. I brought it to Mark and Brian once I thought it was in a strong place and I think we collectively knew it would be the first single. 

You all will be releasing your sophomore album later this year.  You have talked about how quickly the first album came together, as well as how the new album took on its own shape based on how the 4 of you play and work together and how navigating the pandemic really made you all think about how you were going to approach the new album.  What has the process of writing and recording the new album been like and do you feel as though the timing for this album is more spaced out?

Alex: I love this question. The approach for this record is entirely different from “generic.” in a lot of ways. Of course, the pandemic has had an effect on the process to a degree, so there have been some new challenges. Challenges that have been a really great education in a really bizarre way if that makes any sense. The pace has definitely quickened since July, and the space between sessions with Brian in LA have actually been perfect timing.

The cover of your first album Generic was painted by you and you also did the artwork for "Tails".  What influenced those pieces of artwork and do you have any other artwork planned for the new album?

Alex: I'm in museums and galleries often, which inspires me a great deal. I enjoy painting because it pushes me in ways. I gravitated towards abstract when I set out to capture “generic.” and I wanted to keep it simple. With “Tails,” I put the focus on the color and mood. I set out to capture something with obscure imagery and a dividing point to represent the mind while blending/creating separation between both sides.

What's next for Silver Relics?

Alex: We're in the studio right now working on the back half of our sophomore album. It's a mad dash now that we're in October, but we expect to have the record completely by the end of 2021. We're also really looking forward to performing these new songs live and on tour.  Thanks so much for having us. We're big fans!