We always start our interviews off by asking the band to give us a brief history of how they came to be? What is the Feral Conservatives story?

M: It wasn't meant to be initially...we were both in a rock-oriented power trio (guitar/drums/bass) and Feral's was suppose to be the breezy, rootsy side project. The coffee shop band. We recorded a demo in the basement of my church and borrowed heavily from the music closet of the preschool next door. When that “main” band fizzled, we sort of merged the minimalist folk aspects with head-on rock and roll, partially defying conventions, and then partially out of band survival. Live, we run the gamete between singer-songwriter leanings and driving the mandolin like a fuzzed-out garage rock guitar.

 

What made you guys decide to be a mandolin based band? Was it out of necessity or was it a carefully thought out decision?

R: I had started to learn mandolin (I was playing bass in the three-piece) For fun, Matt and I created a side project that was much more on the folksy side of things. Eventually our guitarist left the band and so we just naturally moved all our focus into our side project with the mandolin--and that became Feral Conservatives.

 

M: Necessity! But then a cool push and pull happened--as we explored the natural roots/folk side of being mandolin/drum duo, we also pushed it into garage rock territory live, especially for a captivating, high energy live show.

 

Who are some of your main influences, musically or otherwise?

M: Paul Westerberg (The Replacements), Tonya Donelly (Belly, The Throwing Muses), Mark Twain, Orange is the New Black, spirituality, Chuck Klosterman, The Who, Spike Jones (Her, Adaptation), tea and film photography.

 

How does being based out of Virginia Beach, rather than anywhere else, influence or affect the way you guys write music?

R: It makes for lots of lyrics about frustration and wanting to move out of a tourist town with almost nothing to offer.

 

M: I would say it doesn’t have much effect—and maybe that’s why we don’t fit in so well. I will say that I love contradictions in art, like melancholy lyrics over engaging, upbeat music--or taking it a step further--contemplative songs/band/scene in an area known for summer, for superficial fun. Carefree, ya know. Well some of us still have cares…It’s an interesting collision between people’s lives and their disposable beach-town-for-a-week.

 

Is there a strong music scene in Virginia Beach?

R: There are people trying to build one and bring more of an awareness of local music to the community but there really isn't much of one right now.

 

M: It pales to most, I think. We’ve got a really touristy/beachy bar crowd (I hesitate to call it a “scene”) and it doesn’t lend itself much to original voices, more so classic rock and margaritaville. But there are definitely some good people doing good things for original artists in Hampton Roads: 757EZine, Yourmusicshow.com, Dominion Collective, etc.

 

Your new double a-side single “The Light in the Hall” was just released earlier this year in late June. What are the stories behind the two songs, “Little Pieces” and “Logan's Song”?

R: “Little Pieces” is mostly about feeling frustrated, angry, lost and left behind by God and that there is just this brick wall of silence when you're seeking answers in a time of need. Wondering how involved God is in our lives or if he even exists in the midst of a difficult period in your life when all you can see is the dark side of things that keep getting thrown at you and no one seems to be throwing a lifeline.

 

M: “Logan’s Song” was written for a high school friend I was mentoring. It’s written mostly from his perspective as someone failed by our public education system. He had been told all his life that he was a D student by their testing methods, and that was now his identity. I sat across from him and he told me that he wanted to pursue writing or music, but his only option was to join the Navy, ya know, out of desperation. Because he didn’t take tests well, we sent him off to the bottom-feeders, the military. Can you imagine making that decision, basically resigning, at 15? 16?

 

You guys are a self-proclaimed 90's inspired band. What is it that draws you to the music of that decade in particular? Were there any particular bands or songs from the 90's that inspired the singles on “The Light in the Hall”?

M: I think it's a combination of growing up and having a lot of nostalgia for the music of your adolescence, your coming of age, and also endearing that as an exciting time for alternative music. There were so many great female fronted band, just really unique voices that fused melancholy with beauty, and still held this great band dynamic. “Little Pieces” has a lot of the Cranberries and Regina Spektor influence. “Logan's Song” is more Bob Mould of Husker Du and Sugar—just fuzzy and noisy.

 

How would you say this recent release differs from your past releases?

R: I think you can really see our growth as musicians through these new songs. There is more depth within them both lyrically and instrumentally and I feel like we've really worked to formed a strong solid sound that is Feral Conservatives. We've also been focusing on a balance in our new songs between the soft and beautiful side and the noisy aggressive sound and blending those two together.

 

I saw that there was also a video in the works for the song “Little Pieces”. When can we expect that to be released and could you tell us what is like on set of a Feral Conservatives video shoot?

M: We just premiered it. On set with us is a lot of me not explaining myself clearly and happy accidents that come out looking, usually, pretty good. Worth spending 4 minutes watching I’d hope.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, what's next for the Feral Conservatives? Is there a full length in the works or any tours we can look forward to?

R: We are currently recording our next album locally with engineer Mark Padgett and hope to release it soon this winter. We're gonna go back out on the road after that drops and hopefully see some new cities and return to our old favorites, Philly, DC, Raleigh.

 

Lightning Round:

Favorite album of the moment?

M: The Replacements Pleased to Meet Me

R: Belly King

 

Best concert you ever attended?

M: Probably You Am I at The Rock and Roll Hotel, 2012

R: Superchunk at the Cat's Cradle, 2013

 

What artist is your guilty pleasure?

M: Cindy Lauper

R: The 1975

 

First album you ever bought?

M: MxPx Sowly Going the Way of the Buffalo

R: Reliant K The Anatomy of the Tongue In Cheek

 

Favorite power pop band?

M: Teenage Fanclub

R: Teenage Fanclub