Last month, Still Alive released a new EP, called Assemble. We caught up with singer/guitarist Dan Alfonsi and discussed the band’s decision to put out the record themselves, as well as how recording went and the meaning behind some of the songs. We also talked about the EP’s cover art, the origins of its title and what else Still Alive has planned for this year. Assemble finds the band, (also consisting of guitarist/singer Dom Burdi, bassist Bryan Schroth and drummer Mikey Cervenka) experimenting with the boundaries of their sound and embracing a heavier tone. In addition, there’s still a wide range of influences present, but also increasingly intricate songwriting and a greater sense of overall cohesion. Be sure to check out the EP in its entirety here.

Bill – What were some of the factors that led to you guys choosing to self-release your new EP?

Dan – Our last release, Choices, we did with Jump Start Records and I feel like there was just a lot of miscommunication. We wanted to have everything back in our hands and have complete control. For example, we didn’t want to have to worry about if the record was going to show up on time. We knew it would because we put the order in on time. There were a lot of unanswered questions when we were on Jump Start and ultimately, we just felt it was easier to put it out ourselves.

Bill – Got it. Where did you record Assemble and what was your experience in the studio like?

Dan – We’ve recorded everything except for four songs with Justin Yates at Atlas Studios. We recorded this EP over a year ago now, but I feel the process gets more and more refined every time we work with Justin. He knows what to expect from us and we kind of know his whole process. It just gets easier or smoother every time. We pretty much have the same method in terms of writing where we’ll all figure out the musical portion of the song and then I’ll usually write the words to it right before we go into the studio. I think Justin is kind of figuring out the sounds that we want even more and pushing the boundaries on that. The stuff that he typically does isn’t as heavy, so he’s been toying around a lot with how to get the desired sound for us. Kind of more with the hardcore bands and stuff like that, compared to more of the Midwest punk sound.

Bill – For sure. That’s a good way to put it. What inspired the title of the EP?

Dan – I think that right now we’re a very divided people and it seems like a better idea to come together than to be torn apart by all the nonsense we’re seeing from politicians and the media. The idea of assembling or coming together to have our say in what we need and the things we want out of life, that’s the basis of it.

Bill – I was going to ask about the song “Static,” because I feel it’s really a direct response to a lot of current events. What specifically influenced its lyrics?

Dan – When I was writing a lot of the music for this record, I would take breaks and watch CNN for whatever reason. It was entertaining because they were always ripping Trump and I thought that was funny, but then it’s like the same story every 30 seconds. And I don’t see how something is “breaking news” if they’ve been talking about the same thing for the last three days. You just don’t see anything positive on the news. There’s nothing good about it…

Bill – I’m not a supporter of Fox News in any way, but it is kind of disappointing to see how CNN reports on certain things. It’s almost like they stoop to the same level.

Dan – They do and that’s why initially I thought it was funny watching that stuff, but they’re just as bad as Fox News on the other end of it. They’re twisting the words and twisting the story to fit their agenda and all that stuff too. I just don’t think any mainstream news outlet is very credible or even worth our time.

Bill – Right. The EP’s first song, “Path to Collapse,” kind of takes a look in the mirror and talks of making changes. What events motivated its creation?

Dan – I was definitely having a good time with way too many things and it was starting to take its toll, whether it was financially or even some my responsibilities in life. So, I took a break from drinking alcohol for a year. It was a good time to reflect and figure out what I want out of life without being fucked up all the time. Once it kind of clicked with me it wasn’t that hard to stick to. I still smoke weed, but I also just picked up other hobbies that had gone by the wayside. I got into BMX riding again and just reconnecting with friends on a social level that did not require alcohol. So, it was cool.

Bill – That’s great. “Schedule One” is really unique in terms of how it shifts between styles and tempos in less than a second, but does so in a way that’s fluid and not disjointed. How exactly did that song come together?

Dan – It’s always kind of been our style to throw those two things into a song. After writing and doing this stuff for a while, you figure out good ways to transition and bad ways to transition. I feel like it this point, we have a better idea of how to do it without it being choppy or abrupt. Over the course of things, it’s just evolved into our songwriting.

Bill – Awesome. Who was responsible for the EP’s artwork and did you have any creative input with it?

Dan – So, Jason Abraham Smith from Detroit did it. For his art, he goes by the name Lurk and Destroy. He’s a really talented dude and he’s done three covers for us now. I told Jason what the title of the record was and kind of the idea of it, and that’s about all I gave him. When he sent me the artwork I loved it and his response was basically that the best thing he could think of in regards to assembling a community was worker bees. It made the most sense and I love it. I think it turned out really well.

Bill – Very cool. How was your recent record release show at GMan Tavern?

Dan – It was awesome. We had a lot of friends playing the show with us, as well as a lot of friends and family in attendance. I’ve always enjoyed going to the shows at GMan over the past year or so since they started doing full band stuff. It was a treat to play there and I always enjoy the staff. Bombflower was awesome and Gillian, known as Hi Ho, opened the show with some really cool acoustic songs. She joined us onstage actually for the song “Black Mirror” from the new record. Blood People also played and they’re great, some great friends of ours and super talented. It was just a stacked bill with a lot of really great people all around.

Bill – What else do you guys have planned this year in terms of shows or new music?

Dan – So, we just recorded five new songs with Justin Yates at Million Yen Studios. That’s where he’s posted up right now. Those are going to come out on a split with Rebel Spies from Detroit. Justin Schwier and Underground Communiqué Records are putting that out, hopefully by the end of the year. Aside from that, we just announced we’re playing with PEARS at Beat Kitchen in October. We’re playing a couple other shows before the year is over, but it’s going to be pretty low-key. Our bass player Bryan just had a baby, so Bryan and Haley have obviously and for good reason shifted their attention there. We’re going to take the rest of year pretty easy, definitely play some cool shows before it’s over, but that’s about it.

Bill – When you think about the long-term future of the band, what are some of the goals that you have?

Dan – I’d like to hit some more of the festivals, definitely travel some more. Ultimate goal would be to go play Europe. Whether or not that’s in the cards we’ll have to wait and see, but that would be fantastic. So yeah, just more of the road.