How did you start?
Aspiga started in my bedroom towards the end of 2005. It was just me recording songs on a 4-track tape recorder. I played my first show in January of 2006 so the project has existed for quite a while now. I think that the band really started to find it’s own identity around the time that we released Every Last Piece on Paper + Plastick Records. This line up consisted of me, Alec McVey, and Ray Solowij. We’ve been playing together since 2011 I believe.
Where are you based?
We are based out of a little town called Collingswood, NJ.
Please give an example of your music writing process?
Usually Alec or I will work on songs at home. Sometimes we bring a full song to the table and other times it might just be a verse. The three of us will get together in our practice space and hash out the rest of the song as a group. I think our best songs are the ones that come together in one practice.
What are you working on right now?
I’m currently writing songs for another full length. I haven’t showed anything to the rest of the band yet but the goal is to get a lot of material together and then work on it as a group. I’d like to have more songs than we need for a full length and be able to pick which ones we want on the album.
What is your gear setup?
We’re a three piece punk band so it’s pretty traditional. Guitar, bass, and drums. I use a Blackstar HT Studio 20 H guitar head through a Bugera 2X12 guitar cab. I switch up guitars so it’s either a Blacktop Telecaster or my Reverend Charger HB. I also use a Fuzzrocious Demon guitar pedal.
What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?
I try to go to the shore as much as possible. Being close to the ocean really seems to level me out. I spend a good amount of time in record stores as well. My music has always been a direct extension of however I’m feeling so it definitely has an affect on me. It’s the only way I know how to write.
How would you describe your music genre?
Our music is a blend of different genre’s. The three of us all come from “punk” backgrounds so that’s our foundation. However, I think we try to branch out and explore indie aspects and even some heavy aspects when it comes to song writing. We’re a three piece band that sounds very loud when we play. We want it to be a wall of noise. I personally want people to feel the up’s and down’s during our set. Life isn’t one constant happy or sad moment.
Do you know any music theory?
I know absolutely nothing about music theory. Our bassist, Alec, definitely has some background in that. I’m the one in the band that does a poor job at explaining my ideas for songs.
What are your plans for the future?
We currently have three unreleased songs that we’re looking to package with all of our physical/digital singles as a “collection” album. I’m also in the process of writing songs for a new full length LP. Aside from that, we’re just doing our own things. I’ll be releasing a six song solo EP on Black Numbers on June 30th, 2017. I plan on playing some shows behind that. It would be nice to maybe do a tour this Fall or Winter.
How did you get into music?
I got into music by listening to Y100. It was an alternative radio show based in Philadelphia, PA. My Aunt and Uncle’s would always have it on in their cars and that’s really how I started to get into guitar driven music. My older brother got me into underground bands and that really put me on the path to all of this.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Aspiga just played a festival in Montreal called Pouzza Fest. I was able to watch Great Apes and Hanalei so I’ve been listening to them a bunch. Laureate “Landmarks”, Secret Satanists “A Very Sharp Decline”, Connor Oberst “Ruminations”, Lemuria “Pebble”.
Who are your top 5 influences and icons?
Chris McCaughan (Lawrence Arms/Sundowner), Blake Schwarzenbach (Jawbreaker/Forgetters), Devon Williams (Osker/Fingers Cut Mega-Machine), Gabe Hascall (Impossibles/Slowreader), and Brian Moss (The Ghost/Hanalei/Great Apes). I think they are some of the finest lyricists and musicians out there and deserve much more praise.
When are you playing next?
We’ll be playing at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia, PA on June 16th.
You can learn more about our band at the links below. We have a very dear friend that lives in Melbourne so it’s really neat to see a site from his hometown reach out to us. Thanks for taking the time to interview us and we hope that if you’re reading this you’ll give our albums a listen. <3
https://www.facebook.com/aspiganj
https://twitter.com/aspiganj
https://aspiga.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/aspiganj/
https://aspiganj.com/
