One of the hardest realities of life is knowing who to have in your corner. So when it came time for Colony House to get back to work on their January 24th release, ‘Leave What’s Lost Behind,’ they knew Ben Shive was their man – again. They’d worked together on the band’s debut, ‘When I Was Younger,’ and were ready to reignite the flame. We talked about connecting with Ben once more, dream movie scenarios, and how Nashville isn’t just for the yeehaw’s in this wonderful back and forth between some rockers and a writer.
Kendra: Your second single from your new album, “Original Material,” made me wonder – just how do you know when it’s time to head back into the studio? Like is there a certain amount of original material you like to have before the recording process gets underway?
Colony House: I think it happens a little different every time we go back into the studio. We are always demoing and writing so in that regard we are kind of always in the studio. However, there does seem to be a specific moment where there is a shift from “messing around” to actually trying to capture the “real thing.”
With this album, we had more demos going into it than ever before. Those song ideas had been the product of a couple of confusing years for us and in turn, the songs sounded pretty confused as well. We decided to scrap the lot and start from ground zero. That was in November of 2018 and we started actually recording this album in January 2019. We felt like the only way we were going to get something worth keeping was to put a little more pressure on ourselves. That doesn’t always work. But this time it did.
Kendra: When it came time to get back to work, was there no doubt in your mind you guys were going to get back together with Ben Shive?
Colony House: We had thrown out a few options but once I went and had a meeting with Ben, played him a few ideas, and discussed what we wanted to communicate with album three it was obvious to me and the rest of the guys that he was supposed to produce this with us.
Kendra: Having produced two of your records now, how do you feel your relationship with Ben has grown since the last time and how did that, in turn, affect the result this time around?
Colony House: Both parties are a lot more aware of their abilities and gifts as well as each other. When you know what you are good at and what you aren’t good at and are comfortable in that place, the productivity and general morale stays so much higher. I think everyone trusted their instincts a lot more.
Kendra: You guys went for a very storyteller feel with ‘Leave What’s Lost Behind.’ So if a studio approached you, said they loved the album, and wanted to make it a movie, what actors would you say would best convey the overall tone of the record on screen?
Colony House: Wow! This is the best question ever! We’ve always been incredibly inspired by films and have wanted our albums to flow like the arch of a movie plot. This one specifically with a unique interaction between two obvious characters, Mr. Runaway & Mr. Porter. Let’s see here…I think Mr. Runaway would be well portrayed by Cillian Murphy or Casey Affleck and Morgan Freeman would make for an EPIC Mr. Porter.
Kendra: When people think of Nashville and Tennessee in general, they think country music and nothing else. But you and the likes of Paramore and Kings of Leon also call TN home. Do you feel like people need to realize it’s Music City and not just Country Music City?
Colony House: I think people are starting to figure it out. Growing up and right when we were starting out it felt a little more like something you had to explain. For example, we have definitely been booked for shows where the promoter just assumed we were a country band because we are from Nashville. Those were awkward moments indeed! With all that said, we love being from Nashville and love the deep history it holds.
Kendra: You’ll be playing in Nashville right around the time ‘Leave What’s Lost Behind’ drops then packing up and heading west and back east again. Even with all the success, you’ve had so far – do you still encounter nerves when you’re about to play new material?
Colony House: Yes, but more of the excited kind of nerves. Like when you know a rollercoaster is going to be fun but you haven’t been on the ride yet so you aren’t quite sure what to expect. Those kind of nerves.
Kendra: Other than this big tour you have going on in the new year, any other big plans for 2020 so far?
Colony House: We have some exciting things lined up that we can’t quite announce yet. But we honestly can’t wait to finally put this album out. That’s our main focus right now!
