Moving to a place where the only rock station thinks that music ceased to exist after 1991 can be a bummer at times. Where is the new rock music at? Oh, it’s out there and the proof is in bands like Rising Alma. Just because radio stations have abandoned the heart of rock and roll as of late and traded it in for well, we won’t get into that – we’ll just focus on the rock at hand right now and that’s Rising Alma. We caught up with the band and talked not only about the current state of their genre but also whether or not they were night owls, their latest release, ‘Awake,’ and more in this back-and-forth exchange. 

Kendra: Alise and Maximo set out on this journey a couple of years ago during a time when I’d say the world was still in a bit of a limbo. Was it one of those instances of, if not now, when?

Rising Alma: Yes, we did meet at the moment when the times were unpredictable but we both knew that we wanted to make music together as if we were playing in another band. As we delved deeper into our collaborative work, we think it was at that moment when we thought how now is the time to create something of ours, something new.

Kendra: Since then Rising Alma has dropped an EP, and not too long ago – an LP. Was there anything you learned while recording ‘Ongoing Hope’ that you put in your back pockets that you were able to pull out when it came time to record ‘Awake’ that wound up being beneficial?

Rising Alma: Absolutely! Since we record all our songs in our home studio, we learned so much. We love to grow and express ourselves better. However, it goes beyond just the technicalities. We also discovered a great deal about ourselves and each other during this journey, which ultimately strengthened our teamwork. We believe that, at the end of the day, it’s these experiences and our strong bond as a team that define what Rising Alma is all about.

Kendra: ‘Awake’ spans 13 tracks and in that baker’s dozen are a lot of gems, including “Sleepless Mind.” A song I can relate to, but at the same time – I get a lot of my work done in the middle of the night. What say you, are you night owl creatives as well?

Rising Alma: Thank you for your kind words! We are definitely not night owls as we are constantly thinking of new song ideas and our work together is all over the place, but in a positive way!

Kendra: The album goes on to close with “The Story is Not Over,” which – this being your debut, Rising Alma’s story is just beginning. With that, do you have any concrete goals you want to accomplish over the year 365 days?

Rising Alma: We’re thrilled to pour all our energy into our band this year. We’re aiming to increase our concert presence, maybe make a new music video, and, of course, craft new songs for example. Stay tuned for an eventful year ahead! 

Kendra: Sticking with music but on a much broader scale, what do you think about the current state of rock music as a whole because I feel like we don’t have a lot in the mainstream anymore. I turn on a rock station and it’s the same five bands from 10-15 years ago…

Rising Alma: We think the current state of rock music is quite interesting. While it’s true that the mainstream may not feature as many rock bands as it did in the past, we believe that rock music is far from dead. Rock music has a timeless appeal, and there are still plenty of dedicated fans who appreciate its raw energy and emotional depth. In recent years, we’ve seen a resurgence of interest in rock, with many new and exciting bands emerging on the scene. These artists are bringing fresh perspectives and unique sounds to the genre, which is proof of the enduring power of rock.

Kendra: Time for a side note – with this being October, I’m asking everyone to recall their favorite Halloween costume growing up – and if you don’t have one, perhaps your favorite candy to pick up for yourself now that you’re grown and don’t have to go door to door for it…

Rising Alma: Although we are not Halloween enthusiasts, it’s always fun to reminisce and enjoy some candy.

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Awake’ out now, what else can people expect as we continue into fall? Any touring? 

Rising Alma: We are excited to say that we will play very soon. We invite everyone to join us, experience our music live, and share in the energy that it brings! With our fantastic team in place, we’re all coming with new energy and excitement to create unforgettable moments on stage.