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Hi guys, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?
We’re doing alright! Just finished signing a bajillion pre-ordered copies of the record, and now I (Lord Phobos) am enjoying a damn fine cup of coffee.
Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Only The Best”?
It’s an 80’s inspired song about moms and the lessons they teach. If you like funky bass, keytars, and guitar solos, then maybe, just maybe you’ll like this song.
Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?
The TWRP frontman, Doctor Sung, has an adorable, loving worrywart for a mom. While we’re busy on tour, sometimes he forgets to message his mom as often as he should, and he feels guilty about it. Last year while in the back of the tour van, during one such instance of having forgotten to update his mom, he started to write Only The Best to express his appreciation and love for her, and for all the moms of the world.
How was the filming process and experience behind the video?
There’s no video for this song yet, but hopefully it’ll happen down the road.
The single comes off your new album Over The Top – what’s the story behind the title?
It’s basically just a quick and catchy phrase to summarize the album, and everything about the band as well. As time travelling rock stars from the future but also the 80s, we can get away with all kinds of things that most bands would think twice about doing. There’s literally everything from positive R&B to fantasy prog metal on this thing. Plenty of cowbell and keytars too! It’s all just fun and ridiculous.
How was the recording and writing process?
The first step was the writing retreat. We’ve done this for several albums now. Basically, we all go to a cottage for a week and cram as many instruments and synthesizers in there as we possibly can. After this went down, we had a pretty clear idea of the songs, arrangements, and what to do in the studio.
The tracking was challenging because studios had closed due to the pandemic lockdown, so we decided to do everything from our homes remotely. Even the drums were recorded DIY in a basement, with the walls covered in moving blankets. Fortunately, we’re thrilled with the results and think it’s our best sounding record to date!
What is it about the 80s that you find so fascinating?
Musically, it felt like anything was possible. No sound was off limits. It was an ‘over the top’ decade. Great movies too! Blade Runner and Big Trouble in Little China are 2 of our favs.
What role does Canada play in your music?
A very big one. Some of the grants available to us as Canadians helped fund the record. And a lot of our circle of musician friends are Canadian as well, including one of the collaborators on this album – Andrew Huang.
* What aspect of love and support did you get to explore on this record?
One of the big themes in the album is about coming together and being stronger with each other’s support through the challenging times we’re in. We are very fortunate and thankful to be living that support – from our family, from our friends, from our fans. We couldn’t have created this album or be doing what we’re doing in our lives without this love and support, and that gratitude is explored in Over The Top.
* Where did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?
With all the crazy stuff that has happened just this year in the world, it was easy to find inspiration to write songs about changing times, gratitude for the good things, and the longing for togetherness. The fact that this entire album was recorded individually by each of the members, remotely from our homes, sort of underscores those themes.
What else is happening next in TWRP’s world?
We’d like to do some live-streamed concerts, and go big with it. Local music venue, full production, sound, and lights. The whole thing. Also, we’ll probably get started on the next next record very soon as well!
