For the record, who is Emo Side Project, and how did it come to fruition?
Hi! My name is Andrew. Emo Side Project is my solo project that I started in 2002. Basically, I had written a few songs for a band I was in at the time but we broke up so I decided to use them to start a solo project. These were the first four songs on the self-titled album. I’ve always loved acoustic guitar so I think that’s why for most of its existence ESP has been acoustic. As Jesse Lacey would say, I’m a sucker for anything acoustic. I’ve experimented with a lot of different sounds though.
Hi! My name is Andrew. Emo Side Project is my solo project that I started in 2002. Basically, I had written a few songs for a band I was in at the time but we broke up so I decided to use them to start a solo project. These were the first four songs on the self-titled album. I’ve always loved acoustic guitar so I think that’s why for most of its existence ESP has been acoustic. As Jesse Lacey would say, I’m a sucker for anything acoustic. I’ve experimented with a lot of different sounds though.
How would you describe Emo Side Project's sound for the unacquainted? The sound has changed a lot over the years and it’s a little different each album, especially during the beginning of ESP. The first few albums are pretty standard singer-songwriter songs, I think. Then I began to incorporate piano into the songs. After that I experimented with writing pop punk influenced songs. Then the sound changed to more soft picking songs and slowly became more and more math-rock influenced. There are a few electropop influenced songs throw in the mix as well! Recently, I’ve dabbled in having full band songs to change it up a little and I really love the sound so I’m trying to stick with that for a bit. Basically, Emo Side Project’s sound is all over the place. It’s not the type of project where the sound does not evolve and I definitely experiment with it a lot.
Great name! Is it as obvious as it seems? Or does it come from somewhere else?
It sort of is what you expect it to be and not as the same time. I had a band at the time ESP started (we mostly played covers for fun) so the name sort of sprung from that. A lot of my initial influences were solo acoustic acts (Dashboard Confessional / The Early November / Bright Eyes). But I’ve always thought the name to be kinda of a parody of the entire scene as well because ESP was never created to be an “emo” band and I’ve never considered it that. Some people like the silly stuff more. Some people like the serious stuff more. Some people don’t like any of it. At the end of the day, I’m just making music because I love to do it. I just got lucky that some people enjoy the music as well.
It sort of is what you expect it to be and not as the same time. I had a band at the time ESP started (we mostly played covers for fun) so the name sort of sprung from that. A lot of my initial influences were solo acoustic acts (Dashboard Confessional / The Early November / Bright Eyes). But I’ve always thought the name to be kinda of a parody of the entire scene as well because ESP was never created to be an “emo” band and I’ve never considered it that. Some people like the silly stuff more. Some people like the serious stuff more. Some people don’t like any of it. At the end of the day, I’m just making music because I love to do it. I just got lucky that some people enjoy the music as well.
How has 2012 been for you?
2012 has been extremely busy! ESP went on a two week summer tour of the Midwest and East Coast with my Kansas City friends Lion House and it was amazing! Also, it still blows my mind that I got to do splits with three of my favorite bands. 2012 is the first year that Emo Side Project made it onto vinyl too (Thanks to It’s A Trap! and Carucage Records)! Other than that, I’ve been working on building up my label, Sea of Tranquility, and writing music for my other band, Lizards Have Personalities.
2012 has been extremely busy! ESP went on a two week summer tour of the Midwest and East Coast with my Kansas City friends Lion House and it was amazing! Also, it still blows my mind that I got to do splits with three of my favorite bands. 2012 is the first year that Emo Side Project made it onto vinyl too (Thanks to It’s A Trap! and Carucage Records)! Other than that, I’ve been working on building up my label, Sea of Tranquility, and writing music for my other band, Lizards Have Personalities.
What are you up to at the moment?
I’m in the process of recording right now! The first project is a new full length full band album entitled “You Know What Sucks? Everything” that has 10 gut-wrenching songs. The style is pretty similar to the other full band stuff that has been released. Keith from Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) (http://empireempire.bandcamp.com/) will be playing drums on the record, so I am extremely excited to see how that comes out. The second project is a split with California’s Mane Horse (http://manehorse.bandcamp.com/). I’m really excited for everyone to hear the new songs!
What should an audience expect from an Emo Side Project show?
The live shows are very intimate and personal. Usually I play acoustic shows but there have been occasions that I’ve done full band live shows! Sometimes I use a loop pedal and sometimes I don’t. The set list is different every show. Usually I’ll play covers as well. My friend Spencer usually provides the help on drums if we have a full band show. I think fans of ESP would love his band SeaKings! They just released an amazing EP under my label and you should check it out! (http://seaoftranquility.bandcamp.com/album/the-seap).
You're extremely prolific! You've put out so much music in so little time. How do you maintain that? Is it that you're constantly writing or...?
Yeah, I’m always writing. It’s one of my favorite things to do. It’s sort of a self-therapy too, I guess? Instead of keeping a journal or a personal blog, I write. Sometimes it’s exhausting. Sometimes I get writers block. But I think it helps that I’m constantly listening to music. That definitely keeps me going.
You've done splits with bands like Joie de Vivre, Little Kingdoms and The Please And Thank Yous in the last few months. What do you think of the state of emo at the moment, and how generally awesome the scene is right now?
In general, I think that “emo revival” is going pretty well! It’s definitely a trend that has been gaining momentum for a few years now. The only problem with it is that it has produced a lot of bands that sound a lot alike (ESP is definitely guilty of that too). For me, it’s not a problem since I love that sound and never get sick of it. The current sound ESP fits in well with the whole scene right now, I think.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
For the rest of the year I am going to finish up recording and get the new music out. Other than that I’ll be playing a few local shows! Then I’m going to take a big ol’ break haha!
What bands do you recommend? What influences Emo Side Project?
If you’re into Emo Side Project I would suggest the following bands:
- Dads: http://dadsnj.bandcamp.com/
- Joie de Vivre: http://joiedevivreband.bandcamp.com/
- Penpal: http://penpalmusic.bandcamp.com/
- Bicycle Sunday: http://bicyclesunday.bandcamp.com/
- Old Gray: http://oldgray.bandcamp.com/
- You Blew It!: http://youblewit.bandcamp.com/
These are just a few that I’ve been listening to a lot. If you really love emo, use bandcamp and search the emo tag!
Any final words?
You should check out my amazing friends because without them I wouldn’t be able to keep ESP going as easily!
- It’s A Trap Records: http://itsatraprecords.com/
- Count Your Lucky Stars Records: http://www.cylsrecords.com/
- Carucage Records: http://www.carucagerecords.com/
- Songs from the Road Records: http://songsfromtheroad.bandcamp.com/
- Keep It Together Records: http://keepittogetherrecords.com/
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