Q&A: Amber Run Releases Album ‘How To Be Human’ Following Their Three-Act Releases
SYNONYMOUS WITH THEIR DEEPLY EMOTIONAL MUSIC — Amber Run, composed of Joe Keogh, Henry Wyeth, and Tom Sperring, became the soundtrack to people’s darkest days with their 2015 album release, 5AM. Their latest album, How To Be Human, released on Feb. 24, follows the band members’ growth as individuals, as they battle through the good and tough times that get thrown at us in this thing we call life. As proclaimed by the band, How To Be Human aims to figure out “how to be human” and what makes us human.
In order to express the many feelings and emotions intermingled with humanity, the British indie-rock band chose a unique method to release their newest album: by releasing three separate acts ahead of the full LP release. The Search (Act 1), The Start (Act II), and The Hurt (Act III) each represent a certain moment in time for the group. The final LP, How To Be Human, collates the songs from the three acts and includes new music individual to the album.
From heartbreaking and brave songs such as “Funeral,” in which Keogh gets personal about his mental health and suicidal ideation, to “Hurt,” an exhilirating song that pulls you in during the chorus with its high tempo and catchy lyrics. Keogh views “Hurt” as the sibling song to “Funeral,” and much of the album contains a mix of emotions and tempos, yet every song feels connected and necessary to the completion of the album. As always, Amber Run knows how to use their lyrics and music to express every emotion in the most powerful and clear way.
Sure to elicit an emotional performance, the band also intends to have shows in April in London, Newcastle, Bristol, Nottingham, Glasgow, and Manchester. Read below to hear Wyeth’s thoughts on the vulnerability of the album and his favorite memories creating it.
LUNA: First off, congrats on the album — How To Be Human is beautiful. How did you come up with the album title?
WYETH: Thank you very much. Well, for one, it’s the title of one of our favorite tunes on the record, but more than that we feel like it captures the theme of the whole album process — the sort of ennui we all felt during those bad years, finding joy in the little things again, and ultimately accepting and not doubting your own flaws.
LUNA: What was the thought process behind releasing the three acts as EPs ahead of the full LP?
WYETH: We wanted to take a break from the album cycle process that we went through with the previous three records. It’s great to be in the studio for a long period of time but there were periods of well over a year between studio sessions, and the same with periods between tours. We wanted to feel like we were constantly writing and pushing ourselves creatively and constantly getting stuff out to the fans.
LUNA: You’ve spoken of the struggles that inspired these songs — the lyrics and the swelling music make some of the songs feel very heavy and emotional. Considering this emotional honesty, which EP was the hardest to create?
WYETH: That’s a really tough question. I’d say the first EP is definitely the most emotionally bare and deals with some really tough themes, but we were so excited to be back together and back recording again that — at least in the studio — it never felt emotionally taxing. I know everyone says this when they’re releasing a new record but recording this one (at least for me) was by far the most fun I’ve had — so far.
LUNA: What was your favorite memory in creating this album over the last two years?
WYETH: Shit. We’ve been making this thing for so long it’s really tough to say. Getting into RAK Studios again was a delight. Lots of very fun times in there…
Okay, got it. The first time we tried to record “How To Be Human” (the track), we came back with the mix and there was something that just wasn’t right so we tabled it for a while. And being honest, I was a bit worried we wouldn’t be able to get over it. We got back into the studio over a year later with fresh ears and it fell together so nicely. That was a real moment for me.
LUNA: “Funeral” is a beautiful and vulnerable song. Thank you for sharing it with us. Joe shared his struggle with suicidal thoughts and depression. Can you share what made you feel ready to share these struggles through your music?
WYETH: One of the things we’re always grateful for is our fans coming and speaking to us after the shows, and quite often they talk about how the emotion of a song helped them process their own experience. If we’re able to help in any way getting people out of that dark place, we’ll keep helping for as long as we can.
LUNA: Is there a song in this LP that you feel particularly proud to be putting out?
WYETH: “Beautiful Victorious” is the most positive song we’ve put out in a long, long time. We’re always cautious when going for an uplifting tune that it’ll be cheesy and miss the mark but I feel like we nailed it with that one. Gang vocals and all.
LUNA: Having recorded the album over the past two years, how do you feel about the emotions you presented in the LP? Do you feel farther away from them now?
WYETH: Yes and no. Obviously when you go into a studio you’re partially recording a moment in time and that exact feeling. Listening to those songs or talking about them still brings up those feelings. At the same time, though, it does help you process whatever it is you’re going through and reach a sense of catharsis.
LUNA: With over 2 million monthly listeners, do you think there is something specific about your music that speaks to so many?
WYETH: I don’t think so. If there were specific factors that made up a commercially successful or popular artist, then everyone would do it, right? We try to write music that means something to us that we believe others will be able to relate to, so maybe it’s that. Honestly, though, I have no idea.
LUNA: You’ve shared that you recorded the title track a few times before finalizing the version we have today. What made you finally feel like the track was ready?
WYETH: You can dress any song in a bunch of different ways to get the sound to convey the emotion you want it to. The previous iterations of that track never felt like they were hitting the mark dead on so we gave it another go. It’s not that the song itself was different but the way it was dressed, if that makes any sense.
LUNA: Lastly, what do you hope to focus on for the rest of the year?
WYETH: Touring. I cannot wait to get back out there and play some shows. We’ve got a UK run in April, so if you’re reading this and havent got your tickets yet, get them now. Then — and I’m not sure if I'm allowed to say this — we have a Europe tour planned in May. Cannot. Wait.
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