Interview: Towers and Trees, Jon and Roy, & Mike Edel Talk About Songwriting (Mark Anthony Brennan)

07/06/2014

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Article by: Mark Anthony Brennan
https://www.facebook.com/markanthony.brennan.9/posts/1434900003455867

Recently I had the opportunity to catch up with three local indie folk artists: Towers and Trees, Jon and Roy, and Mike Edel. They had the following to say on the topic of songwriting:

Adrian Chalifour (Towers and Trees):
"You want your songs to be totally distinct, but they must resonate with a shared audience. People need to relate, so the song shouldn't be so abstract that they have to untangle it. It can be difficult to be completely original when it comes to the music because there are only so many chord progressions before you start to abuse the listener. So, instead I aspire to be unique in the words that I create."

Mike Edel:
"The reason I write is to share with people. My songs speak to those little moments in life that really matter. People can live vicariously through my music. If you get into the song then it IS a world, and it tells a really good story."

Adrian Chalifour (Towers and Trees):
"Once I have written a song then I take it to the band and we ask, "what does the song WANT?" What treatment does it necessitate? We have the luxury of being able to bounce around through various genres – there is not necessarily just one sonic palette. Personally, I love multi-part harmony and rich instrumentation. We like to make full use of the entire band. At the same time, no one has to do any more than they need to, so we can exercise tasteful restraint."

Roy Vizer (Jon and Roy):
"Jon is the primary songwriter but the three of us work out the arrangements. This (their new album 'By My Side') is the first record where we haven't jumped around too much genre-wise. In the past we have incorporated some reggae and hip-hop. This is more cohesive – it is more folky rock."

Adrian Chalifour (Towers and Trees):
"My songs are transformative – they facilitate movement. I don't talk about a static state. They are journeys, usually to a better place. In the song, you may be in a low place but you are moving to somewhere more hopeful. I may not personally be in that better place yet, but the song makes me see that it can happen."