“Russian Roulette” has captured the attention of listeners everywhere. Could you tell us about the inspiration behind the song and how it came to life?
We are always looking for a way to bring a positive message into the heaviness of life, and in this song, we tackled the issue of alcohol addiction and the importance of finding community to help you in the midst of the struggle. The focus of the song is around the friends and family who can help when life gets heavy, instead of the gravity of the moment. We want people to recognize there is always a future to look forward to.
The song has a captivating and energetic sound. How did you approach the musical arrangement to match the song’s theme?
The song kind of came together while we were on a trip to Los Angeles. We were throwing around different ideas and word salads and somehow it all came together. We knew we wanted to write something hopeful, but we weren’t really sure what. I remember a moment in the studio when we all realized it had clicked. It was like magic in a bottle. Somehow we were all on the same page and the song kind of fell together.
The chorus is incredibly catchy. Can you share the creative process behind crafting such a memorable hook?
We love writing songs and building all the different layers, guitar lines, drum parts, etc. But, in the end, its all about the melody for me. It has to be singable and catchy. This song started with the hook, we just knew it was right, and we built everything around it. We were all in the same room holding different guitars or sitting at a keyboard and throwing out ideas. Its a beautifully collective creation experience.
The song’s lyrics are both thought-provoking and relatable. Could you elaborate on the message you hope listeners take away from them?
Life has been extremely difficult for so many people in the world for the past few years and it seems to me that songwriters either focus too much on the pain and struggles, or they completely ignore it. We wanted to tackle the struggles that real people are dealing with in a practical way while also providing hope. Life has ups and downs, and life is better when you share it with others. Our hope is that we can continue to provide hope and build community around music.
What was the most memorable part of the recording process for “Russian Roulette”?
The most memorable part of the recording process was the hours we spent on Omegle. No joke. We were constantly online jumping into conversations with random people and talking about music. It was super fun, bizarre, and exciting. We loved sharing the recording experience with strangers and meeting so many people, some that we still keep in contact with on socials.
Your music often blends different genres. How did you approach genre-blending in “Russian Roulette”?
We truly have a love of many different kinds of music, so we’ll just throw out ideas and try it. What about a synth part here, or an acoustic part there? When you’re in the studio there is no wrong answer. So, you’re free to try anything. Often times you just leave an idea on the editing floor, but when you do something special its evident. And, you keep those moments. We’ve tried to come to the studio with open minds, and more importantly, open hearts.
“Russian Roulette” has gained popularity on streaming platforms. How does it feel to see such a positive response from listeners?
There’s nothing like it when your song connects with people. That’s literally the only reason we’re still doing this. We feel a deep connection with the people who jam our stuff and we love continuing to write songs that connect with them.
Can you share any behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the making of the song?
We filmed the music video in the parking lot of a venue we played in San Antonio, TX during a weekender trip. It was a blast to film, probably the most laid back music video we’ve ever shot. But, I remember this car circling the parking lot watching us like we were crazy. After awhile it got hard to focus on the song because they kept circling. I remember wondering whether they thought we were goofy, or cool, or lame, lol. Those moments can be a bit difficult while filming because you’re trying to stay focused on the song, but you also realize you probably look a bit odd in a parking lot.
What’s next for Further North after the success of “Russian Roulette”?
We’re finishing up another batch of songs right now and we’ll continue to release more throughout the year and hit the road again soon!
Could you give us a glimpse into the band’s overall vision and goals for the future?
Our main goal is to continue to be a beacon of hope for people. We would love to take this opportunity to invite anyone who needs someone to talk to reach out to us. If you ever feel alone or you’re struggling, we’re here!
