What inspired you to write “UNEASY”?
I wrote UNEASY based on someone I was dating. The song navigates the need for connection and intimacy while being fully aware that the relationship will fail.
How did the initial idea for “UNEASY” develop into the final version we hear today?
Like most of my songs, at least my more recent ones, UNEASY started as a drum beat (which opens the song) with a corresponding guitar part that follows. Unlike the instrumental, the lyrics weren’t as straightforward. The guys and I actually performed the song at a couple of gigs before we recorded it, with lyrics different from the final. But UNEASY’s melody has always been the same.
Can you walk us through the songwriting process for this track? Did you start with lyrics, melody, or a particular instrumental riff?
UNEASY’s drum beat is very much me ripping off the intro of Fall Out Boy’s “Sugar, We’re Goin Down,” so thank you, Andy Hurley, haha. But like I mentioned earlier, after I locked in on that drum pattern, both the guitar and bass parts followed suit relatively fast. Lyrics, of course, took a lot more time to nail in, but I knew I wanted this song to be a melancholic/breakup type of song, just because of the darkness of the chord progression made it seem so. Lyrics aside, UNEASY was ironically an easy song to write and shape into what everyone hears today.
Were there any experimental techniques or unusual instruments used during the recording process?
Not that I can think of. However, because Aleks (my producer and sound engineer) and I were aiming for a darker and grittier sound, we used a Peavey guitar amp paired with a larger cabinet to achieve the desired size and depth in our guitar sound. Heyden (the guitarist who played the lead parts during the verses) also used different sound banks from his AXE-FX to get a clean and dreamy tone that the verses needed. Other than that, the guys and I didn’t change or do anything out of the ordinary for the recording process—nothing we haven’t done before, at least.
How does “UNEASY” differ from your previous work in terms of sound and style?
UNEASY is darker and heavier than my previous songs, which is what we’re sonically aiming for in our future works. The drums take up more space, the guitars are more distorted and spread out, and vocally, I pushed myself more to increase the dynamics between the verses and choruses. What makes UNEASY great is that it’s a good template for how I want to write new songs going forward, particularly for the live show. I didn’t prioritize how I envisioned my previous songs in a live-band setting, but with UNEASY, I now have a good gauge for the level of energy required to connect live.
What emotions or messages were you aiming to convey through the production choices in “UNEASY”? How does “UNEASY” reflect your personal experiences or emotions?
UNEASY is a very melancholic song, which I think we did a good job in conveying both lyrically and sonically. Genre-wise, the music draws from emo, post-hardcore and shoegaze, which are historically good at illustrating themes of lost love and heartache. I don’t necessarily think that UNEASY has a “message” to convey, per se. Still, it’s indeed an emotional song that illustrates the impending failure of a relationship despite one’s need for intimacy and connection.
What challenges did you face during the creation of “UNEASY,” and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge with UNEASY was the fact that it’s a darker and grittier song, so those who enjoy listening to my previous songs may find it a bit jarring. But I constantly remind myself that this is the kind of music that I want to make, and those who know me well enough know that this is the kind of music I listened to growing up. I believe we made the record so that it still sounds like a “Johann” song, just in an evolved form.
How does “UNEASY” reflect your personal experiences or emotions?
Like I mentioned in the first question, UNEASY draws from my experience dating someone, which is always an emotional and personal thing. I find that it’s easier to write about failed relationships, just because it’s a relatable thing that everyone goes through until they land on the “one”. But yeah, heartbreak songs are nothing new for me, haha.
How do you balance personal expression with creating music that resonates with a wider audience?
It’s always a balance. But, as Denzel Washington once said (and this is just me paraphrasing it), “the more personal the art, the more relatable.” Everyone experiences heartbreak and uncertainty, so with this in mind, UNEASY is an easy song (no pun intended) for listeners to digest, despite me singing about my own experiences.
What do you hope listeners take away from “UNEASY”?
I hope that listeners continue to hang with me throughout this journey, especially as we venture into a newer sound. It could be recency bias, but UNEASY is one of my favourite songs. Top 5 for sure! That’s pretty much what I hope for, which is what I imagine any artist would wish from their listeners—to continue enjoying the songs, new and old.
What can fans expect next from you? Are there any upcoming projects or releases in the pipeline?
I will say that the guys and I will be heading back into the studio to work on another EP later this year—we don’t know specifically when. But, if you enjoy UNEASY, I guarantee that you will enjoy this next EP. Stay tuned, and thank you so much, everyone!
