Interview with Conditions guitarist and vocalist Alex Howard

Alex Howard, guitarist and vocalist with the band Conditions recently chatted with me about the group’s new release Fluorescent Youth. The band’s music can best be described as an alternative rock sound with a pop flair. I found this disc energizing; all of the tracks are solid, melodic, alternative/pop tunes that are quite enjoyable to listen to. Solid musicianship abounds, as does the capability of writing fantastic hook-driven, approachable music with universal themes that the listener can easily relate to. Here is what Howard had to say.

Your new CD is being release today. Now that it is complete how do you feel about it and are you satisfied with the outcome?
Alex: Yeah absolutely. We are totally happy with the way everything came out. Now that it is out and people have heard it today the outpouring of so many positive comments is such a weight off of our chest. Just to have it out there feels good and we are really excited about what’s to come.

What was the writing process like for this disc? Did you guys all write together?
Alex: Normally it starts with our guitarist Jason. He writes the majority of the basics or the shells of the songs, you know a part or a riff or something. Then he comes and shows it to the rest of the band and we will finish it all together in a practice environment and add our individual parts. Once we are done with the music I will record it and give it to our singer Brandon and we will work stuff together, normally he writes all of the lyrics. I guess that is basically how it goes Jason then to the band and then to Brandon.

This is your third full-length release correct?
Alex: No, this is our first full-length release. The others were EPs and they were shorter, the first was seven songs and the second one was six songs. This is our first full release, you know, the first one that is in stores with a proper release.

Do you guys think about distinguishing performances from record to record or do you think it is something that comes about naturally?
Alex: I think it is pretty natural for us. We normally try and switch things up for every tour we do. We don’t really like to do the same set over and over again especially if we are going to see the same people. We don’t want to give them the same show twice. Also for our own sake it is fun and that is what music is all about being creative and trying new things. We are hitting the road in a few weeks with Versa Emerge and we are just starting to get our set list together for that with all new songs and we are really excited to get out there and start playing new stuff.

This upcoming tour is Nationwide correct?
Alex: Yes it is full U.S. and Canada too.

So you guys are going to be out for a couple of months then?
Alex: Yeah we are going to be out for about five or six weeks.

Are the any tracks on Fluorescent Youth that are personal favorites or that have good stories behind them?
Alex: Yeah, our single “Better Life” is very relatable to everyone. Our singer Brandon writes all the lyrics and I am really impressed because a lot of the stuff he writes I can really relate to myself. “Better Life” is basically about learning from your mistakes and not looking to something other than yourself. You are the one to blame for the life experience you have. It is kind of a blessing. You shouldn’t take mistakes in a way that is so negative. We collectively as a unit and personally all of us in the band have all made tons of mistakes, it is part of growing up. It is a matter of really learning from it and taking a positive attitude from it that really matters.

How do you think you guys have matured as musicians and in general since the release of your first EP?
Alex: Tremendously. When we released our first EP we had only been a band for less than a year. We really need to become best friends you know as a unit and now that is years ago we have all become best friends we have lived together, we have lived on the road together and we know just about everything about each other. That in itself says a lot and you become stronger as a group and know how to work with each other better. We have come a very long way. In a professional way we have come a long way as well. In the past we would go into the studios for the past EPs and half of the songs would have lyrics. Now it is such a natural process and we were just flowing with stuff and we really loved everything. Everyone brings something exciting to the table. It just seems that everything in the last year has become very fluid for us.

Is there any meaning behind the title Fluorescent Youth?
Alex: The meaning behind the title is a dream that Brandon had where he saw something just shining bright. It is really just about your youth. Kids are trying to grow up so fast and when you are older you kind of latch onto your youth and wish for that to be back. Youth is such a desired thing and either way you are looking to get into it or get away from it. It was almost like a tangible object to him. This record is about growing up and learning about things along the way like relationships and becoming who you think you should be and letting that be the natural process.

I know you said you are going out with Versa Emerge real soon but what do you guys have planned for after that?
Alex: We will be out with Versa for most of the Fall hitting most of the U.S. and that will brings us up to Thanksgiving playing a hometown show in Virginia. Then we have a week or two off before we head out again in December, again in parts of the Midwest and the Northeast. I don’t think I can announce it yet but it is another touring package with some of the bands we met on The Warped Tour and we are excited about that. It should be a much different, heavier tour.

Any closing words?
Alex: Thank you to everyone who has picked up the record so far and given us feedback. It has been really exciting. I hope everyone comes out to the show and picks up the record.  [ END ]