See Jazz, led by Aaron Pfannebecker, unveils "1982," a track from their debut album "Is This Anything?" accompanied by a captivating video by Steven Levine. The song blends ethereal pop melodies with suspended chords, evoking an 80's shoegaze atmosphere, featuring modulating vocals and post-punk elements. The album, created in NYC and Western Massachusetts, explores contemporary America's complexities, influenced by artists like Nick Nicely and New Order. With Zara Bode on vocals and Adam Langellotti on bass, See Jazz crafts warped bedroom collage pop guitars, forming music for outsiders in a unique world. "Is This Anything?" is a mosaic of melodies inviting listeners on an auditory journey, transcending the ordinary and embracing the unconventional.
Q: In your opinion, what are the essential qualities that make a “good songwriter”?
Honesty. Honesty in emotion or story. Specificity and honesty done well is the goal. That’s the gold standard.
Q: What is the basis for writing attention-grabbing music in the year 2023?
Attention-grabbing makes me think of something who is consciously trying to cut through something, which makes me think of a career mindset or someone who’s looking at art like a competitive landscape, which I think is gross and damaging.
Q: What has it been like working with an indie record label as opposed to working on your own?
I’ve done both. This is totally on my own. I’m not going to lie. It’s hard! I mean, it’s so easy to lose your compass and so hard to trust your gut, making something you care about, crafting it, and then releasing it into the world. It’s daunting. I mean, everyone is hard up, and we’re in a world where numbers impact cultural considerations, amongst other things. But maximum respect to anyone who sees their work through to the end.
Q: Can you pinpoint some specific songs and songwriters that changed the way you write music?
So many. Working on these songs, I relied on my impulses, and I think I’m aware enough to know which artists and which songs have formed my impulses and tastes. The The shaped a lot of how I approached this record. New Order and their minimalism, too. I also was inspired by sound in general. Playing with pedals, creating textures, and then knitting together layer upon layer.
Q: Do you find it hard to be inspired by artists that are younger than you, or are you motivated by their energy? Can you name any new artists you find inspiring?
Absolutely not. The children are the future. First of all, energy is contagious. There’s this Kim Gordon quote I always think of, and I think she said it, or at least I always attribute it to her. “People will pay money to see someone who believes in themselves.” It’s beautiful, and it’s true. That energy is a fire, and it’s essential. I’m always bouncing around with what I’m aware of or listening to, so I’ll caveat what follows with that statement, but Horsegirl is great. They are young. They are doing their own thing despite perhaps the genre they are playing with (not in). I don’t know if Weyes Blood is younger than me, but she’s a beacon of sound and vision. Bodega are my favorite kind of underground. Soft Yes here in New York are young and have some fantastic songs. There are so many, and I know I’ll kick myself for thinking of more after this.
Q: For your new album, what inspired the lyrical content, album title, and overall vibe?
Introspection. Respite. Insecurity. Second guesses. Throw all that together, and you get an album called Is This Anything?
Q: Do you find that you ruminate over writing songs and hold on to them for a long time before including them on a record? Or do you prefer to write them, release them, and be done with them? Do you ever re-visit old material to do a re-write or once it’s done it’s done?
100% both, and there’s no rhyme or reason other than knowing if something is done or if it’s not. And you know. Sometimes, you wrap quickly. Sometimes, an ingredient is missing that you’re either not aware of yet or you haven’t had an opportunity to add it yet. In the case of this record, all of these are true.
Q: Were there any lessons you learned in the writing and recording process for your current release that you will take with you into your next project?
I have enough songs written now to make a record. Most of this was done by myself, and I still want to add my own weirdness to whatever’s next, but I also want to incorporate more of other people’s personalities into it. Zara’s voice is fantastic on this. I’d love to use her more. Adam’s bass is perfect. I’d love to use him more and then mix all of that with strings and live drums vs. all drum machines, which is what this was. But I still want to use drum machines. I love drum machines. I want to get Wendel samples and go from there.