motel void

MOTEL VOID: from New Hampshire. How would you describe the current music scene there? Do you feel that you’re part of it?

HAPPY JUST TO SEE YOU: There’s a lot of really wonderful bands in New Hampshire right now! I feel like NH gets kind of overlooked (I guess I get it, it’s a small state up in the middle of nowhere) but there are so many amazing artists doing amazing work. There’s no distinct “style” trend in the state which I think is what makes it so refreshing and nice. Lots of people exploring different sounds. I’d like to think we’re part of the scene, sure! We like to support and play with tons of NH bands. New Hampshire for damn sure!

MOTEL VOID: Your favorite local venues and artists?

HAPPY JUST TO SEE YOU: Favorite venues, that’s a tough one. There are a few we’ve played the last year in particular that stand out as cool spots we loved playing – Flight Coffee in Dover, Auspicious Brew in Dover, and the WSCA Button Factory Stage in Portsmouth are some great spots that cultivate a real welcoming and positive environment. Favorite New Hampshire bands is so tough because there’s a thousand of em – Rick Rude, Cozy Throne, Ezra Cohen, Small Pond, Black Hatch, I could go on but I feel like those few give a real good idea of the different sounds we have brewing in NH.

MOTEL VOID:You’ve just released your new album ‘Ways to Cope’. Could you tell us more about the recording and writing process of this record?

HAPPY JUST TO SEE YOU: Ways to Cope is kind of a concept record, it’s all focused on a traumatic accident I experienced in 2018 where a man, OD’ing while driving, hit me with his car, pinned me to a tree, and broke my pelvis among other things. Had to spend months relearning to walk and heal properly. The songs are less about the specifics of that incident and more about the feelings. The feelings of almost dying, of surviving, of being lifted up by the people in your life, by the love they have for you. I wanted the songs to try and have a more universal perspective so people could relate. At times it’s a sad record but ultimately I think it’s one of hope. Easily the most uplifting music I’ve ever written.

We recorded the album in a marathon sprint over 3 days at Big Nice Studio with Brad Krieger in Rhode Island. We worked with him on our first record and it honestly just felt like he was a member of the band so we had to go back for this one. I don’t know if we’ll ever record with anyone else! He truly understands what we’re going for with our sound and helps us achieve exactly what we’re looking to do. The main tracks were recorded live together in one room, we really like to try and keep that live energy around on our albums. We then did various overdubs (mostly strings and vocals.)

MOTEL VOID: Your biggest inspirations right now?

HAPPY JUST TO SEE YOU: I feel like I kind of always have a core three: Pixies, Elliott Smith, and Wilco. I will say, over the last couple years I have been digging deep into the songs of Stevie Wonder, and I think there’s a lot I can learn about song structure and melody from that guy. Truly incredible.

MOTEL VOID: Your other plans for 2024?

HAPPY JUST TO SEE YOU: We just wrapped our tour in support of ‘Cope’ yesterday, we have some one-off shows over the late spring and summer, and we’re starting to look at doing a little more playing out in the fall. There are a few yet to be announced fests around New England we’ll be playing in late summer/early fall as well. I think a big focus is going to be on demoing songs for a new record.