Seasons After Band

Seasons After Interview: Jimmy Beattie (December 2016)

Seasons After – Heavy metal, melodic metalcore, alternative metal, hard rock
Location – Wichita, Kansas
Members – Tony Housh / Vocals • Chris Dawson / Guitar • James Beattie / Guitar
Billboards main singles – In 2009 – Cry Little Sister – U.S. Main. Rock peak chart position 20 and 44 on the U.S. Rock charts.  In 2010 – Gettin’ Even – U.S. Main. Rock peak chart position 39. In 2015 – Weathered and Worn – U.S. Main. Rock peak chart position 39.Seasons After Band

Seasons After Interview

– What’s new in the world of Seasons After?

Our album Manifesto has been the biggest focus lately. I guess the latest greatest news, would be our new Rythem section. Bassist Ryan Kennedy joined the band last year and drummer Nick Denham, who joined just a few months ago. It’s been a while but I think we finally have reestablished a “ride or die” crew!

– How was it recording your album Manifesto from start to finish?

Recording the last two albums on our own has been great! With Manifesto, there wasn’t much guess work involved. We knew what we wanted out of it on every level. Being able to get personal with every detail of every detail lol. We are an extremely thorough group and truly enjoy the challenge and the work. I can’t imagine doing it ant other way.

– Where did the song ideas come from and certainly the artwork for the album?

With Manifesto, song ideas come from myself and Dawson. He and I typically write the music individually and send it to each other. We then collaborate to tighten it all up. I write lyrics and melodies. Dawson and I then collaborate on that as well to tighten it all up.
The artwork is all Dawson! He sends it to us for constructive criticism but outside of the occasional suggestion, Dawson handles all of our artwork, from conception to the finished product!

– How is the current tour and life on the road?

It’s going great! The album is being received well and we are in high spirits. More people are becoming aware of our existence and we’re just gonna keep building steam!

– How important is merchandising? Could artists survive without?

Branding is super important!! Merch can make the difference eating, or not eating. You’ve gots to, gots to, gots to hustle your merch. Every dollar you can put back into your band and help fund the beasts growth is a win. It’s also necessity.

– Could you describe some of your earliest influences in life and in music?

I grew up in a very musical family. My grandfather, father, and uncle we’re/are lifelong avid songwriters. Their influence and experience has been a huge influence on me. They also made it a point to make sure it appreciated all genres of music at an early age. Grandpa pushed me on old country, my uncle pushed me on singer/songwriter style music and my father wanted me to be aware of any and all of it. My stocking were filled with albums like “Aerosmith Big Ones, Steve Vai, Passion and Warfare and so many more. I still enjoy everything from Adele to Nothing More to Dream Theatre to Bury Your Dead lol. Just depends on my mood lol.

– Is the band fans of Spotify and similar streaming services? What are your thoughts on this?

That is a double edged sword. We definitely appreciate the reach that services like that provide, but it also acts as a reason to never actually purchase the music. This leaves the artist who created it, and went through all the hard work and years of pushing, struggling, starving, and swinging with no way to pay the rent. The industry is a joke and the only people that pay are the artists. Things like Spotify, in the end, are just means of control, on many levels.

– How important are music videos in the industry today? How do they compare to videos from 20 years ago?

Music videos and all other forms of visual trickery are extremely necessary in today’s market. “Video killed the Radio star”. I grew up without cable or Internet so I listened to music, I didn’t watch it. I didn’t listen to anything that didn’t connect with me on a mental level so I was never tricked by shiny things and and glam. I like a video with a purpose, something that tells a story. But anymore, it’s absolute necessity to have a library of visual candy available!
As far as rock is concerned, I don’t think videos have changed that much. They’ve pretty much evolved right along with everything else. Sharper imagery, riskier story lines, and CGI.

– What goals as a musician have you yet to achieve?

Traveling to other countries to perform is a massive goal for this band.

– Any words of wisdom to share with aspiring artists?

“For those about to rock..We salute you”. Don’t hold back. If you want to make it on any level…your gonna have to work your butt off for it!

This has family shit in it so you may wanna let them know it’s from me lol.

https://www.facebook.com/seasonsafternation/

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