by Matt Karpe
– Senior Columnist —
I wrote in the album review for Rise that every so often you come across a band or album (by mistake) that takes you by surprise. That was the case when I discovered Living Scars, a relatively unknown Christian Hard Rock band from a little place called Cedar Creek, Texas.
Rise is a debut record that is raw and natural, and I took it upon myself to try and help Living Scars get some more exposure because they need it, but more importantly, they deserve it.
Luckily, all three members participated in the interview …
HRH: First of all, thank you for taking the time to talk to HRH, how are you doing today?
LS: Doing great. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.
HRH: Rise has recently been released, with 10 tracks of high quality hard rock. How pleased are you with how the record turned out?
LS: We’re extremely happy with the album. A lot of hard work and long nights went into this album, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the end result.
HRH: Rise doesn’t have the massive production compared to some of the more distinguished acts out there, but I think the rough-around-the-edges effect makes this record that little bit more special. Where was the record produced, and how long did the process take?
LS: Thank you. We definitely tried to give this record a unique sound, and the record was produced at toy car studios over a period of 8 months.
HRH: There are some haunting intro’s used, like a calm before the storm feeling, before the songs explode into action. What was the thinking behind using such delicate openings?
LS: We really wanted each song to have its own individual character and surprise our listeners with something they wouldn’t hear from us or the “hard rock” genre.
HRH: For a young band starting out, the song writing quality is really impressive. How important do you feel it was to give everything for this album?
LS: It was incredibly important for our first full length album to be well rounded and powerful, and it wasn’t that difficult to put all we had into something we have a deep passion for.
HRH: Each song has a memorable chorus. Was this a genuine attempt to try and break into the rock mainstream, especially as America has a good number of radio stations intent on giving exposure to newer artists?
LS: On one hand, yes we were trying to create songs that are memorable but we still try to maintain a certain level of independence and make something you haven’t heard yet. We try to make music that’s easy to listen to as well as easy to relate to.
HRH: I presume, as a band starting out, you must have a dedicated fan base that will surely only grow larger. What was their reactions upon hearing Rise?
LS: Like you said, we are a young band but our fan base is definitely getting stronger day by day. So far the reaction to listening to Rise has been extremely positive.
HRH: So what does 2015 hold in store for Living Scars?
LS: Honestly, we’re not sure. We’ve got some new songs in the works and plan on playing more shows around Austin, but no telling what God has in store for us this year.
HRH: Thank you once again for talking to HRH, and finally, why should people reading this go and check out Living Scars?
LS: Our music is fast paced, hard hitting and relatable. Whether you like rock or not, we put a twist on the genre that we think you’re gonna like.
HRH: Thank you for your time and good luck for the future.
LS: Thanks Matt.
For more information go to www.livingscarsmusic.com.
Rise is available now on iTunes.
