Music Q&A with Perenna

Perenna is an alternative rock band that formed in Boston, Massachusetts and last month, they released their debut album, Muses! In this Q&A, the band took time to talk about the album, who they would like to see in concert, how they keep it posi, and more!

Congratulations on the release of Muses! What does the album mean to you?
This album is the culmination of years of development, bringing musicians from widely varied musical backgrounds together to create a cerebral, eclectic, yet cohesive collection of songs such that the listener will be compelled to return to over and over again. The album was not written with a central concept in mind, rather the songs were written individually, resulting in a fresh mix of alternative rock from several different musical perspectives. We are super excited and proud to share this crystallized effort with everyone!

How did Covid affect the making and creative process of the album, if it did at all?
The album was fully recorded and mastered at the beginning of 2020, with plans to release the work in June of that year. However, with members located cross-country and live venues shut down indefinitely, the strategy evolved significantly from that point. We decided to delay releasing any music until 2021, while improving and building a proper campaign around the album. This included releasing two singles with accompanying music videos, establishing a brand and company in the band’s name, and setting up professional photoshoots.

What is one artist or band that you haven’t seen in concert, that you hope to see someday?
Clark: Prince would have been sick.
Smitty: A Wilhelm Scream - I love the energy that their music brings to a punk rock crowd. I’m a huge fan of their guitar lines and rhythms, definitely overdue to see a show.
Seth: Protest The Hero - Similar to Clark, for me, MF DOOM would have been sick. DOOM aside, Protest The Hero somehow manages to balance insane guitar work with complicated rhythms, AND have deeply meaningful themes communicated with near-perfect diction. That stuff really butters my bread, which is funny because I’m a Celiac.

What is your favorite thing about making music?
Clark: I enjoy the early song development where you just try out a bunch of ideas and see what actually sticks. It’s fun just jamming on ideas until you find the diamond in the rough.
Smitty: I like the recording process the most. It's the time after you plan out your work and go to build a final product. It feels like a test at times, and coming out feeling that you gave your best performance feels cathartic. It's even better to hear the final product after the parts you recorded get mixed together in a song.
Seth: My favorite is when during the recording process, at the point where the tracks start to become layers, and the fully fleshed out song starts to become realized. It’s exciting to see the song’s true essence come to the fore with any previously unwritten ideas being combined ad-hoc in the studio.

We all have our days where it may not be going as well as we’d like. People deal with their worst days in different ways. What helps you get through the bad days? How do you stay positive?
Clark: I just focus on what I can control, put on a dope playlist, and play drums.
Smitty: I’ll either go on long drives and put on my playlist, or long walks, if it’s not absolute brick outside.
Seth: I throw on some smooth underground hip hop (usually MF DOOM, J Dilla, Freddie Gibbs or something/someone like that), get in the kitchen, and make the best paella you never had.

Thank you for taking the time for this Q&A. Any last words or final message for the readers?
If you’re in the New England area, definitely get in on the roast beef game. Jamie’s, Modern Butcher, and Kelly’s (the Saugus one) are all the best, with Peabody, MA being the Holy Land of beef-dom. Also hit up Kane’s Donuts if you’re into that kind of thing.

Check out our new album, Muses, out now on all major platforms!

James Smitty (vocals):
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Clark Davenport (drums):
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Seth Christopher (guitars/bass):
Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Music Q&AJazmin LemusApril 15, 2022Perenna, music q&a