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We’re happy to be speaking today with acclaimed Toronto-based alternative rock band extraordinaire, Stuck On Planet Earth; greetings and salutations, gang! Before we dive into the proverbial Q&A mosh-pit, could you all say ‘hi’ and introduce yourselves to our ever-inquisitive readers?
Hey!! My name is Al, I’m the bass player and singer in Stuck on Planet Earth!
Congrats and major kudos on the freshly-minted release of your new EP Semi Stable! Al, what’s the story behind this gem of an EP? How did it all come together?
Thank you!! We are happy its out and for the taking.
Semi-Stable was written during the pandemic. It was a weird time (for everyone), we couldn’t really do much, we couldn’t play concerts and we had to cancel our tour plans right when the band was sort of on this upward trajectory. I can speak for myself, but my mental state was not in a good place. I was really struggling with the only identity I’ve ever known, which is being a musician and playing in a band because suddenly we had to stop and really sit with all these emotions that forced my most vulnerable feelings to surface. I think you can really hear those vulnerabilities in each one of the four songs of this EP. Once we had the songs ready, we hit the studio with our longtime friend, collaborator, and producer Steve to bring it all to life.
Al, Semi Stable was produced by the ever-amazing Steve Mo. What was it like collaborating with Steve on the new EP?
Steve is great to work with, he is meticulous at his craft. For me specifically, he’s a great vocal coach in the studio and really helped to get the emotion out of my vocals on these recordings which make it sonically sound more personal.
how is the Semi Stable EP similar to some of the past music from Stuck On Planet Earth such as Ghosts On The Radio? How is it different?
I’d say Semi-Stable Is just an evolution of our sound and style, I know that is cliché to say but it’s the truth…while it still has all the ‘’stuck’’ trademarks – like chanking guitars, big drums and R&B stylized melodies mixed with rock vocals, it’s all just a bit more simplified and packs a punch. There is less going on sonically on the songs, and they are more focused on the emotion of the vocals.
Semi Stable is released via Anthem Records. What makes Anthem the perfect home for Stuck On Planet Earth and their music?
Anthem has a great team who believe in our band and our vision. They have been incredibly supportive, and creatively, they have always given us the space to make the music that we want to make, which allows us to stay present and authentic.
Al, Semi Stable features one of the best songs of 2023, Crack in the Glass which has seen a couple of different iterations: The single which was released back in March, followed by the acoustic version of the tune which dropped in June. Is there a special story behind this very special song?
Thank you, that means a lot…it’s one of my favourite stuck songs as well. We just played a pop-up show in Toronto recently for some radio-contest winners, and when we played it live, I got choked up because the crowd was singing along.
The acoustic version was recorded at the iconic Sun Studio’s in Memphis, TN, when were down there this past Feb working on some new music in Nashville. Sun is most famous for being the studio where Elvis recorded / was discovered. I had put in a request for the studio, not expecting to be able to record there because its booked like a year in advance, but they had a cancellation last minute, and we just happened to have met this dope photographer / videographer named Ari from Toronto who was a bartender at a spot we were posted up at and he said ‘I’ll drive you to Memphis if I can take some pics / videos’!!! It worked out great and was a huge bucket list moment for all of us.
The song is about the push and pull of being in a relationship. Whether that’s a family member, a friend or a partner, there are always compromises that have to be made for the relationship to work.
with the release of Semi Stable, can fans look forward to an LP release from the band before the end of 2023 or perhaps in early 2024?
We’re currently working on a full record, 2024 for sure!
A question for all of you: Who inspires you musically?
For me personally Huey Lewis and the News, Jimmy Eat World, Turnstile, Killing Joke, Foo Fighters, Cage the Elephant, Alice in Chains, Gypsy Kings, Miguel, Tems…these are just a few.
what does the touring/performing dance card look like for Stuck On Planet Earth in the coming weeks and months?
We are going to be playing a bunch of shows with a bigger tour announcement at the start of 2024.
Al, Stuck On Planet Earth is based out of Toronto. How do those roots inform the sound of the band?
That’s a good question…. I don’t know if Toronto has specifically informed our sound. I just think being Canadian and having long, cold winters sort of forces everyone to retreat indoors, and that’s usually the time when were most creative. Semi-Stable was written and recorded during the wintertime.
At the end of the day what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving Semi Stable many-a spin on their respective hi-fi systems?
I don’t really have an answer for that question. We make music selfishly first, as long as were happy and stay true to ourselves that is always the goal. With that said, music is the greatest connector, and if people are finding a connection with our band and music, that’s all we could really ask for.
