remaining band members to experiment with different instruments and techniques. They also, quite endearingly, place a framed photo of Alex on stage and introduce him to the audience before they tear into their set. We talked over burgers at Chucks, a nearby restaurant, while Happy Abandon described their one year band history, meeting each other through past separate projects and various local music scenes and then finally coalescing in 2015, producing their first ever collective EP, Heavy Lines. I also asked them a few wonky questions, to which they kindly obliged, outlining their experiences as aspiring musicians, the intent and structure behind their music, and their debut at the annual 2016 SXSW Music festival in Austin, Texas. Below are the highlights of the interview. Are the songs on “Heavy Lines” a catharsis for any of you? Do they allow you time for self reflection? Peter: That’s a good question for you two. Justin: For me it does. I was a lead singer in a band for a long time, and this is my first time playing in a band where I can just focus all my energy on bass. I don’t have singing or lyrics to
“That’s the thing about writing songs; finding the balance between what I normally go for in my lyrics, and something that is unique and accessible.” -Peter
InMind Magazine
convey how I feel; I only use my instrument and my pedals. So I play very aggressively when the song is really angry. My favorite song to play, “Clutter” because--Peter: Because of that bass riff?! Justin: (chuckling) Yeah! And I have so much fun playing because it sounds so twisted and dark, and I’m just angry when I’m playing it. And it feels really great. Peter: To me “Clutter” is one of those songs where the lyrics and the music match perfectly. That was something I was really proud of when I first started writing that song and I write all my music on a basic guitar scale, so when we put [the lyrics] in an environment that is more Happy- Abandon sounding, it just made complete sense. I mean, it’s called “Clutter”, we talk about frequencies in the song, and it’s about getting all that stuff out of your head, so you can appreciate what’s around you. When it comes to the actual song structure and the music itself, it plays with all of these weird dissonant chords, or all these dissonant notes, as well as a weird beat, that like makes sense, but is a bit off. It’s not my favorite song, but it’s definitely one of the better composed songs on the EP. Jake: It’s a song for musicians. I can understand why someone would listen to it and think, “wow” there is too much going on. But if you’re a musician you can really pick apart the song. There is a lot of subtle pieces to it. Peter: Yeah, and the lyrics, too. If you listen to the lyrics, they are definitely relatable to anyone. That’s the thing about writing songs; finding the balance between what I normally go for in my lyrics, and something that is unique and accessible. For example, you can hear something totally accessible, but it’s mundane or repetitive,
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