Pizza Crunch – Interview with Jacob Rose
After the release of their latest single ‘Flatfoot’, a blend of the melancholy and freedom originating from 2020’s lockdown, I had the delightful opportunity to speak to Pizza Crunch about their past with the single’s evolution, as well as the future of their sound…
JR: So first, I’ve got to say that I’ve really enjoyed the new single Flatfoot. Loved the Smithsy vibes from the track, which hopefully isn’t a comment that’s been haunting you since. I’ve heard that there were some changes to the song since its creation in the first lockdown – how much would you say it’s changed since its original creation and were there any key moments that determined that change?
Ewan (vocals): So Nathan (lead guitarist) and I do the bulk of the writing. And I think in the early days of the band we often got lost in our own parts. For example, I’d write the lyrics and I’d want them to be squeezed into the song without putting much care into other sections. Flatfoot was originally quite focused on the vocal and lead. Since we first wrote the song we have reworked the chorus so it packs more punch and is more easy listening. We went into the studio with Johnny Madden of Baby Strange a year or so ago and the emphasis he puts on chorus melodies probably influenced us with this new tune.
You mentioned how the jovial tone of Flatfoot stemmed from the freedom you felt from that first lockdown – did the band share that feeling in their respective situations? Or were there any conflicts between what you guys wanted to produce from the feeling of that lockdown?
Yeah, because I write the lyrics my feelings kind of take precedence haha. But often, Nathan will write a jovial guitar part and I’ll write some misery filled lyrics and we’ll kind of have this contrast between the music and the lyrics. I’m sure the other members of the band did go through tough spells during the lockdown as we all did, I think I was in the minority in seeing the initial part of it as a bit of a holiday.
I feel obliged to ask at least one a bit off kilter question – if you could choose any new instrument to take with you to the recording booth for your next tunes, what would you like to bring in?
Haha great question. For the new stuff we have been working on we’ve actually brought up in some new instruments. We’ve got all sorts going on, trombones, gloks, cellos, etc. I’d love to bring in a sax at some point. I’d also love to get a choir involved.
In respect of keeping the new project in any and all secrecy you like, I just wanted to ask if there were any musicians or albums that have inspired where you’ll be taking your music. Obviously, if the honest answer is Pizza Crunch and Pizza Crunch only, that’s just as good an answer.
Nah mate don’t worry, we steal from anyone and everyone. I’ve been listening to a lot of soundtracks recently, so I’m keen to use some atmospheric soundscapes etc., rather than bread and butter guitars, bass and drums. We’re big fans of The Ninth Wave, the new Wolf Alice record has impacted us a lot. We also like the Parliamo EP. We’re just looking forward to releasing some songs that are different from the standard indie release.
Just as a follow up to that last question, I was wondering what soundtracks you’ve been listening to recently?
A lot of Cliff Martinez, like the Drive soundtrack. My favourite one at the minute though is the Lost River soundtrack, I think Johnny Jewel did that one. Only God Forgives too, there is a cool Thai song at the end of it called You Are My Dream.
To focus more on the lyrics too, a question I forgot to ask before was if you had any non-musical influences that have really affected how you approach your writing or even an influence on how you guys as a band approach music.
I think non-musical influences help shape the lyrics a lot, I’d say it is mostly musical things that influence the sound though. I’ve been reading a lot of Bukowski recently for example and that has probably made my writing a little more cynical. I think maybe non-musical things can indirectly impact the sound and music itself. I feel that if I’m reading something sentimental maybe that is more likely to come across in the mood of the song. Those artists/albums I talked about in the last email are the main factors in this slight changer in direction though. I think what they all have in common is that they are bodies of work made up of songs that all belong next to each other. Being able to do this is impressive on its own so I really want us to do that next, hence the EP…
Listen to Flatfoot here and check out more from Pizza Crunch on Bandcamp and via their Facebook page
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Interview by Jacob Rose – many thanks to Pizza Crunch
7th March 2022
Breaking Glass Magazine 