Music Q&A with Neutral Snap

New Orleans pop-punk band, Neutral Snap, is getting ready to release their upcoming full-length, Tell Me How I Feel, on October 22nd! The album is full of 11 high-energy songs dealing with topics such as romantic and familial relationships, mental health, and adjusting to post-lockdown life. The band took some time out of their day to talk about the album, the first time they fell in love with music, what instrument they would like to learn how to play in the future, and more! They even invited their tour manager, Gus, to join in on the fun! Tell Me How I Feel is available for pre-order NOW!

Congratulations on the release of Tell Me How I Feel! It’s a great album. What does this album mean to you?
Josh: I am so beyond happy with this record. I think we pushed out of our comfort zone and got to show a lot of our personality in these songs.
JP: I think this album highlights how we have matured as a band, both personally and as musicians.
Dan: It means us moving forward to bigger and better things. I’m personally excited to see how we are received by the world.
Ray: I am really proud of this record! I think our audience will be able to hear the maturity and growth of our writing process.
Gus (our tour manager, who has no idea why we are asking him these questions): I have no idea why you’re asking me these questions.

What is your favorite song off Tell Me How I Feel?
Josh: “Shady Oak”. My family has been an integral part of my life, and I love that I was able to write a song that perfectly encapsulates how I feel about them.
JP: “Maybe Sometimes” is definitely my favorite song. The lyrics are really personal and it has a fun guitar solo.
Dan: “I’m Crazy (But You) Like That” is probably my favorite. I love the breakdowns, the syncopation, and the general vibe of the song.
Ray: “Chuckled” is by far my favorite song to play live. It has a really fast, in your face, drum part that really drives the song. Did I mention that its fast?!
Gus: Probably “Checked Out”.

How did the last year and a half affect the making of the album? Had it not been for what we’ve been through, would the making of the album had turned out the way it did?
Josh: I think this album is shaped by the pandemic. Having so much time together really lit the fire in our creative process.
JP: The only reason this album came about was because we stopped playing shows. It would have taken us a lot longer to get this done had we been constantly touring like we were prior to the pandemic.
Dan: It definitely helped us get down to actually writing the album. It would have turned out different lyrically but I believe the instruments would have progressed to this point regardless of the situation.
Ray: I think the time off from the road allowed us to really sink our teeth into how we would approach writing these songs. Even with all of the time we had on our hands, some of my favorite songs on this record were written within 2 hours of the first idea.
Gus: This album wouldn’t be what it is without the pandemic.

When was the first time you fell in love with music?
Josh: 4th grade. The girl I had a mega crush on joined the choir, so I decided to also join the choir. She later quit, but I stuck around because I enjoyed singing so much.
JP: My dad was a musician and watching him write and play music growing up looked like the coolest thing ever.
Dan: I’ve always loved music. I grew up listening to classic rock with my dad; my neighborhood friend and our old guitarist, Walker introduced me to even more classic rock and my music taste developed to pop punk from there.
Ray: I was about 10 years old and stumbled across my moms “International Superhits” record by Green Day. Once I heard that record I needed to get my hands on a drumset!
Gus: I vividly remember listening to MC Hammer on the very first cassette tape I owned.

If you had a chance to interview any of your musical heroes, who would it be and why?
Josh: I would love to kick it with Ben Barlow. I think he has a great perspective on what it means to be a musician and a frontman.
JP: I would love to have a beer with Paul McCartney, his songwriting ability is incredible and he seems like a genuine human being.
Dan: Mark Hoppus. He’s been a big inspiration to my bass playing and I hope he can pull through and continue to be a great musician and a great person.
Ray: Mac Miller. A Mac Miller song is playing in the background of some of my favorite memories. I still listen to the “KIDS” mixtape on repeat!
Gus: It’d probably be Bob Dylan because he’s Bob Dylan.

What instrument do you not play that you hope to learn someday?
Josh: I wanna get my hands on a horn. Any kinda horn. I have the deepest love for jazz and funk music. When you hear a song and a horn section comes in? Game Over.
JP: I wish I could play the drums, I’m not coordinated enough with my hands and feet.
Dan: I’d love to learn piano or violin. Both instruments are so beautiful.
Ray: Piano. Piano players have the most swag for sure, it’s a beautiful sounding instrument.
Gus: Probably the piano.

What is your favorite thing about making music?
Josh: Writing music is so stressful to me. I’m very much my hardest critic. That’s why I enjoy writing with my friends. WE are able to boost each other up and push each other out of our comfort zone
JP: I love when we make a song as a joke and then it turns out to be a banger once it comes together.
Dan: I like trying to fiddle around with riffs and what not; figuring out something that fits well with all our instruments sounds amazing.
Ray: The drums are the love of my life. I truly am a kid in a candy shop anytime I sit down on my kit. Making music with my brothers is the cherry on top.
Gus: I don’t make music.

How do you stay positive? What helps you?
Josh: The music that I listen to definitely boosts my mood. I surround myself with an incredible support system as well. Also cats, just like, in general.
JP: Playing guitar has always put me in my comfort zone no matter what is going on in my life.
Dan: Playing music, relaxing with video games, and spending time at home with my loved ones.
Ray: I’m lucky enough to have a great group of people in my life! They always give me a pep talk whenever it is needed.
Gus: Being with the boys on the road. And Miller Lite.

Any last words or final message for the readers?
Josh: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”- Ferris Bueller
JP: If you’ve got something you love to do, keep doing it no matter what people tell you. It takes 10 years to become an overnight success.
Dan: Winners aren’t people that never fail, but people who never quit.
Ray: “Be groovy or leave, man.” – Bob Dylan
Gus: Life’s too important to be taken too seriously.

Music Q&AJazmin LemusSeptember 27, 2021neutral snap, music q&a, interview