Philadelphia foursome Saint Slumber formally kicked off their profession final yr with Youth//1, the primary EP of their three-part Youth collection that chronicles the method and journey of rising via their adolescence. The Saint Slumber guys (lead singer Josh Perna, guitarist Aaron Brown, bassist Adam Jessamine and drummer Matt Carpenter) proceed to inform their story with Youth//2, premiering in full on Billboard beneath.
Like its predecessor, the Youth//2 EP has 5 tracks, every with their very own indie-rock taste that incorporate synth-pop vibes and breathy vocals, however with softer manufacturing to assist emphasize the vulnerability within the lyrics. Though lead single “Stay Away” has the same really feel to the anthemic sounds of Youth//1, the EP’s stripped-down nearer “Infinite” introduces a brand new aspect to Saint Slumber, one thing the group strived for when placing their newest launch collectively.
“Since we’re nonetheless so early in our profession as a band, our aim is to ensure that each launch is extra true to us than its predecessor,” Perna says. “We need each new track to be a bit extra trustworthy, to trim away a bit extra extra, and reveal extra of who we actually are than the track earlier than it.”
All 5 tracks make for a singular, but cohesive, assortment, offering an awe-inspiring set-up to the third a part of their Youth trilogy. Perna advised Billboard a bit extra in regards to the inspiration for Saint Slumber’s newest EP, the artists which have had an impression on them, and their favourite tracks on Youth//2.
Check out an unique stream of the EP and the interview with Josh beneath.
Is there one thing you didn’t do on Youth//1 that you simply really feel such as you achieved on Youth//2?
Youth//1 was a brash and unrelenting report; on Youth//2 we have made an effort to point out extra vulnerability and permit ourselves to cover behind much less sound and fury. Hopefully, in distinction with that vulnerability, it is helped us attain new ranges of depth as nicely.
You’ve mentioned that “Stay Away” “combines the entire components that give us an identification as a band.” What are these components, and the way would you say these are represented all through all 5 tracks on Youth//2?
Saint Slumber is a band that is constructed upon the premise of distinction: we imagine that any aspect of music is made stronger by holding it in opposition to its reverse. The greatest moments in our songs must be juxtaposed in opposition to susceptible, quiet ones; the carefree pleasure of pop music seems like a launch when its held in opposition to one thing extra cerebral and impenetrable. We tried to showcase these peaks and valleys all through Youth//2 — lush synths in opposition to uncooked guitars, pop choruses in opposition to lyrically dense verses, quiet moments earlier than unrelenting instrumentals.
Are there any artists or songs that had an impression on how Youth//2 sounds? Or how Saint Slumber sounds general?
The extra assorted your influences are, the extra diversified your music can be. Throughout the writing and recording of Youth//2 we had been closely influenced by Frank Ocean’s Blonde, Tycho’s Dive, Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar OST, and quite a few different unimaginable data.
You guys have carried out with Dashboard Confessional, The Struts, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Portugal. the Man and Walk the Moon. What did you are taking away from the time you spent with them and watching them carry out?
Being round such unimaginable musicians undoubtedly gave us a ton of tips on how you can be higher at our craft, But the most important takeaway we acquired from performing with these bands is that there isn’t a formulation for being profitable aside from being your self. Seeing Dashboard Confessional take the stage proper after the Struts, seeing Jared Leto carry out to a crowd proper after John Gourley… it simply confirmed us that the one possible way ahead is simply be as Saint Slumber as we are able to presumably be.
What are every of your favourite tracks (or which one means probably the most) and why?
My favourite track is “Coast.” It was one of many first songs we ever completed as a band and it has been via so many variations and rewrites earlier than we ended on this summery, groovy indie jam. Matt’s favourite track is “Marrow.” It was the primary track he heard after he joined the band and the lyrics have all the time caught with him. Adam’s favourite track is “Stay Away” since he has a close to obsession with retro, 80’s period synths. And Aaron will all the time have a delicate spot for “Infinite.” The complete track relies off of that finger-picked acoustic riff that he wrote, and it actually made the track his child.
Saint Slumber can be enjoying a handful of reveals with Young Rising Sons this fall. For tour dates and tickets, click on here.
