Nashville-based alternative rock project Crocodyle have recently released their brand new EP Soggy Oxygen. We caught an interview with them to find out more about the music, the conceptual depth of the songs, and their hopes for the future. Here’s how it went.
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Hey – thanks for the interview! For those who don’t know, how would you describe your sound and your approach to making music?
Thanks for interviewing us! Hello, we are Crocodyle and we’re a garage rock band! We used to be called Hux & the Hitmen, and we used to be a lot quieter and poppy-er, but we wanted the recent name-change to mark a stride in a more raw, rock & roll direction.
When writing a song, I (Hux) try to think as little as possible, or at least to ignore every theoretical impulse that my musical education may spark, and to just let it bleed out as naturally as possible. When I bring the skeleton of a song to the band, we approach the arrangement similarly, trying to do as much with as little as possible. We like high energy and groovy pockets.
What inspired the project Soggy Oxygen?
Being a moody 20 year old without his shit together.
Where do you imagine is the perfect setting for listeners to experience this EP?
Interesting question! Man, a night drive in the middle of nowhere with a significant other comes to mind, the kind where you’re both maybe not doing the best in your own lives respectively, but you feel pretty alright in each others’ company. Wow, that super specific scene came to mind instantly, good question-asking!
The instrumental variation on the EP is brilliant, how do you decide which direction to take a song in – where do you begin, and how do you know when you’re done?
Hey, thank you! Well, here’s the secret: This EP was recorded over a number of years in a number of studios with a number of ideas flowing through a number of heads. It’s as varied as it is because it’s kind of just a collection of all our moods and flavors thrown into an eclectic lil freshman release.
Some songs were fully written and recorded by me (Hux) (Goodnight, Can’t Talk to Anyone), and some were fully collaborative, like Go Figure. In fact, to be perfectly honest, Go Figure is the newest of the tracks and marks the point where we finally began to approach arrangement and production with any level of care and foresight. With that song, we wanted to create an almost purgatorial atmosphere, slow-burning its way to a sort of musical mental crack or implosion. I dunno man, I dunno. We think about these things more now.
Does fiction play a part in your songwriting process, or does it always come from a personal angle?
I find it easiest to write from something real and personal, but through a different subject, or addressed impersonally enough that I feel safer to play around and exaggerate with the material. If it’s all “me” and “I” then I feel too tied to the truth, which is not always interesting unfortunately.
What can you tell us about the song Goodnight?
Uh, well, I started writing it when I was about ready to not be here anymore. I wasn’t actively suicidal with plans to end my life, but I’d reached that lowest low where there was nothing but loved ones and a few remaining drops of curiosity keeping me around, so I had to get that into a song. I wrote two verses and stopped though, which turned out interesting, cause I came back and wrote that second half when I was in a much better place, so I’m glad the song got a dash of optimism.
Is live performance important to you – and if so, what does a Crocodyle live show look and sound like?
We definitely consider ourselves a live band and prefer the stage to the studio. A Crocodyle show is a high-energy rapid fire of songs with some awkward but functional banter. We always try to throw a “hold yer pardner close” song or two in there as well.
Do you ever disagree creatively, and if so – how do you overcome it?
Eh, hardly. And if so, we overcome it fairly democratically.
What are your thoughts on mainstream music at the moment – and the evolution of the indie world in contrast?
Man I live under a rock. As long as enough people still think electric guitars and drum sets are cool I’m happy.
What’s your plan of action throughout the rest of 2019?
We hit the road in May for a 10-show tour, and we’ve just recorded two new tracks for an A/B single somewhere down the line (soon!) The recent move to Nashville has been good to us, so after our tour we’re just gonna keep hitting as many stages in the area as we can in hopes of wedging ourselves into the very healthy rock scene down here.
If you could share a stage with anyone at all, past or present, who would you choose – and why?
TOO HARD. Playing guitar for Ozzy would probably be a trip though.
What are your main aspirations as a band going forward?
To make you love us. Teehee.
What’s the best thing fans can do to support you?
Come see us on tour! Bring yer pals!
If people only have time for one song from the new release, which would you recommend – and why?
Go Figure. Cause it’s the best. *Thumbs up*
Is there anything else we should know?
ROCK AND ROLL BABY
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Find & follow Crocodyle on Instagram.
