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Interview: Joel Beckwith of Maple Hill

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Maple Hill are a pop-punk band from Ithaca, New York. Having released their debut album, Headspace, earlier this month, the band are looking to make 2016 their best year yet. Recently, Legendary Kids Press was able to speak with bassist Joel Beckwith about the album, as well as the band’s plans for the future.

How would you describe Maple Hill to those who have never listened to the band below?

In a nutshell, Maple Hill is a young, vibey alternative rock/pop-punk band whose sound is [somewhere] along the lines of Mayday Parade meets The Wonder Years. We focus on energetic and hard-hitting instrumentals with catchy melodies, as well as lyrics about relatable human experiences and emotions.

You recently released your debut album, Headspace. How has fan reaction been thus far?

The reaction to our debut album, Headspace, has been great so far! Some awesome music blogs and websites have taken the time to review the album and that’s definitely helped with the internet promotion especially. We’ve also been getting some responses from people all across the world who we didn’t even know our music was reaching. We’re all just really happy that people can finally hear this album we put so much effort into.

How would you say it differs from your A Moment Alone EP?

A Moment Alone was more pop-rock influenced. At that time, we were very young and still just getting our footing as a band. I feel like with Headspace, we had the chance to really dig into what our sound was and explore what we wanted in our music. I also think that both lyrically and musically, this album exemplifies the time we spent maturing since our EP.

What does the writing process look like? Do you start with lyrics and build a song up from there?

For writing music, we don’t exactly have a specific process. We generally let songs form organically from us working together. Sometimes, one person will come up with just a groove or riff, then bring it to someone else and match it up with lyrics they had written. Then the other guys might look at it and get inspired to write a verse that compliments it, and things usually just keep rolling from there. Honestly, I doubt any two songs of ours were formed the same way.

How do you know when a song is “done” and ready for release?

Since our writing process isn’t consistent, it’s often pretty difficult to tell when we should be finished working on a song. I guess we just try to make sure nothing sounds distracting or out of place and that each song has every little element we envisioned for it.

Will you be touring the US in support of Headspace?

Our members currently live in three different cities and are either working or attending college full-time, so it’s been difficult for us to tour during the year. Right now ,we’re mostly trying to promote the album online, then play shows together whenever we possibly can. However, keep an eye out for us this summer!

What’s one thing about each member of the band that fans would be surprised to know?

Our singer Kristian [Wood-Gaiger] is entirely self-taught on guitar and vocals; I was only 16-years-old wen we recorded Headspace; St. John [Faulkner] has been to Iceland three times; [and] Max [Gaeta] is going to school to study chemical engineering.

What do you see 2016 bringing for Maple Hill?

In the past, we’ve sort of viewed ourselves as a local garage band, but I think 2016 will really be the year for us to begin to establish our own place in the national scene. We’re really proud of this release, and we just want to use it to present ourselves and what we’re all about to the world.

Where do you see the band in five years?

In five years, I see Maple Hill traveling the country together in a sweaty bus or vans, writing and playing [the] music we love for anyone and everyone who wants to listen.

Any last words?

If you haven’t already, check out our debut full-length, Headspace, available everywhere online. We also have new merch and a music video for our single, “Stomping Ground”.

Peace. Love. Maple Hill.

Those wishing to follow the band on social media can do so via Facebook and Twitter.

By Clare Fitzgerald

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