The Academic

 

MWN: Hello guys thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions- We are super stoked to talk about your music So to kick things off. I like to go back to the roots of a band to capture their essence in its entirety. So where did your passion for playing music come from?
The Academic: I think collectively we all had a passion to write songs that people would sing back to us at our shows. That was our main passion and drive from the get go.
MWN: There is a lot of hard work into being a musician and making albums. So can you guys think of one of the hardest thing you have had to overcome together as a band?
The Academic: I guess one of the big challenges for us as a band was perfecting the 2 worlds of live music and the studio. At the start of the band we built our reputation on the road playing every pub and club we could, to make a name for ourselves. So when we got around to recording it was tricky at times to view our music under the microscope, however I think we adapted pretty quick and love both sides of the music.
MWN: You know I feel like a lot of the music people like is influenced by what they listened to when they were younger mostly from their parents, but also as they grow and experience life that sort of adds to what music we like. So for you guys what is something you grew up listening to and what is a band/song you grew into liking on your own?
The Academic: I think that is definitely the case for our band. Our parents definitely had an influence on us as kids. With the Beatles and Thin Lizzy, Witch I think will always have an affect on our music. But we have also found a lot of bands that have helped us as we grew up, such as Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend and the Arctic Monkeys.
MWN: I think when I was about 7 or 8 my mom took me to a Rod Stewart concert and that was my first major recollection of live music.  Do you guys remember your first recollection of live music?
The Academic: Rod Stewart is an unbelievable first gig. I know for my first experience with live music was when my mam went to see Big Country play the Olympia in Dublin when she was pregnant with me. And I’m a fan of that band still so I think that counts.

MWN: Now let’s talk about Mixtape 2003 which was released last July. I really like the vibe of the song. I think it also came together very clean with the vocals and the instrumentals. How was the production process like for the song? Creatively how did it come together?

The Academic: Mixtape was one of those quick fire songs. It was just a riff for a while that I used to mess around with. And then one day the lyrical theme of a throwback to the old indie days hit me and suddenly we were playing it live. Then We Hit the studio and recorded it in a day. It was raw and fast and how we like it.
MWN: When you guys write where would you guys say you pull more inspiration from. Your own lives or others?
The Academic: A lot of the lyrical themes are from what’s happening around me. But I like to make it a little more abstract so people can make their own stories out of the music.
MWN: I think sometimes certain songs resonate with us more than others. I still love the first song I heard from you guys “Different.” Is there any song in particular that has stuck a little more than others?

The Academic: Yeah it’s a strange one. I think a songs impact changes from place to place. ‘Different’ has always had a great impact when we play it. But when we tour the UK ‘Mixtape 2003’ becomes a different animal and that’s the same for ‘Northern Boy’ over in Holland.
MWN: So, once again thanks so much for taking the time to answer these questions! To finish off the interview is there anything you’d like to say to the people that have supported your music?
The Academic: Yes. Thank you for your patience. We’ll have an album soon. Byeeeeee