SOURCE – You’re about to release your latest album, Strange Machine, how did you approach the process of making this album compared to your first album?
Jake Mason (Drums) – Lockdowns and various other obstacles made the process a little more spread out compared to the previous album. What with tours being cancelled and lockdowns seemingly coming and going it at least gave us the chance to refine the songs. Lots of ideas were exchanged, explored and expanded on before deciding what would make the album.
SOURCE – What are your goals and expectations for the album?
Jake Mason (Drums) – Hopefully to build on “Violet Hour” and move things forward. That album was so pivotal for the band and this album really feels like we’ve taken things up a notch with the writing. We are already starting to see a reaction from people who weren’t previously aware of Alunah which is really pleasing. We’ve also just come back a UK tour with Paradise Lost which seams to have opened up some new doors for us.
SOURCE – The band seems to be able to effortlessly blend retro and classic rock with your own unique sound. As a listener, I feel like it gives me something nostalgic, but at the same time, it delivers something unique and fresh. How difficult is it to balance those influences while still offering something completely different?
Jake Mason (Drums) – To be honest not that difficult. We’re all listed to a lot of different stuff so inevitably the influences come through, but we do feel strongly about not being a tribute to one particular band or specific sound. Everything that we release does have to have our identity put on it and that seams to happen without thinking about it. It means we’ve been able to retain some individuality as a band despite whatever tour or festival we appear on which makes us happy.
SOURCE – The way that albums are promoted has changed dramatically since you’ve started in music. These days, it’s all driven by social media. Do you like having that direct pipeline and transparency to fans or do you prefer the old days of things had a bit more mystery to it before an album came out?
Jake Mason (Drums) – Personally, I’m a little more old school and prefer the anticipation of hearing things in full. But then times have changed, and the great thing is we do get to hear from people directly who are into Alunah and that’s an amazing thing really, its not something we take for granted.
SOURCE – How did Shane Wesley from Crowbar’s guest appearance on this record come about?
Jake Mason (Drums) – Sian (Sian Greenaway, vocals) has been friends with Shane for a while. We had a song that a couple of us had been jamming at rehearsal during the height of the pandemic and there was a riff that Shane had sent Sian previously which fitted perfectly for the bridge. Then when it came to recording Shane emailed the guitar leads over from America while we were recording in Wales and we loved the end result.
SOURCE – Definitely, speaking of the song The Earth Spins, you’ve had a massively positive response to that single; what has that felt like for you?
Jake Mason (Drums) – Yeah, that and the first single which was the title track feel like they’ve really gone down well with fans old and new. It makes us happy, and ultimately validates the times of rehearsing in the depths of winter whilst the world felt like it was imploding around us.
SOURCE – Considering the worldwide pandemic with the COVID-19 virus, has it caused you to take further measures to protect yourself as a person or have you always been conscious of ‘social distancing’ as a musician, especially when you are out on the road with all the people, traveling, etc?
Jake Mason (Drums) – Well, we were on tour with Mondo Generator when the pandemic first hit and the idea of social distancing was totally alien then. Now I guess everyone does what they need to to feel safe, but there’s no doubt that it’s time to be back out there playing.
SOURCE – OK, well we’re looking forward to what comes next. Thank you again for taking the time to talk to me. Is there anything else you’d like to say to the fans?
Jake Mason (Drums) – Well thanks for the questions, and it may sound contrived but the support we get really does mean the world to us so cheers. Keep supporting the bands that mean something to you whoever they may be, because the world is a darker place without the music.
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