Following up a string of fresh and uplifting releases over the last few years, US-based singer and songwriter Alex Stanilla has now returned with his soaring new single 'Room'.
Channelling a heady mix of dream-pop and psych-rock influences from start to finish, 'Room' makes for a wonderfully alluring listen. With his own rich and impactful voice riding a wave of sweeping and euphoric production, his latest offering is a beautifully captivating return to form.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has been inspiring him lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Guitar.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Post hardcore/screamo/emo stuff like Chiodos, Linkin Park, Dance Gavin Dance, Pierce The Veil and a bunch of other really awesome bands that never really got the success they deserved.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park. Actually I had a Linkin Park B-Side album called “High Voltage” before that, it might’ve even been a bootleg. It was awesome.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
You know that story about Brian Wilson crying in the back of a cab because he’d never write anything as good as Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club? That’s exactly how I feel everytime i listen to “You’ll Cowards Don’t Even Smoke Crack” by Viper.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I tend to rewrite the lyrics over and over again in different notepads and handwriting styles. I also record the song over and over again on a bunch of different devices including an iPhone, Zoom R20 multitrack recorder and a cassette recorder before I record in the studio.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Geology, the project of mewithoutyou’s bass player, Greg Jehanian put out an amazing album on my birthday. I’ve also got Al Green, Dean Martin, Ray Charles and Talking Heads CDs in my car I’ve been cycling through.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Craig Owens, former Chiodos lead singer. He’s the guy that made me wanna sing. Would be a really cool, full circle kind of moment.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Coming up with a really obscure, abstract concept and having people connect to it and understand what I was referencing.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Oh, I go through periods of immense self doubt and insecurity and feel as if I need to be constantly lauded and praised. This usually happens a couple times a month but I snap out of it.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
“Become so good at what you do you can’t be ignored.”
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Alex Stanilla's new single 'Room' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.