It’s been a unique journey for Envy on the Coast’s Brian Byrne, and Ryan Hunter.
The original incarnation of the band was an up-and-coming emo/post-hardcore outfit that was touring with some of the biggest names in the scene, and turning out a slew of anthemic records.
But, unfortunately, like it does happen sometimes, Envy on the Coast called it a day in 2010. The members went there separate ways, with Byrne and Hunter forming the band 1STVOWS. It was during a 1STVOWS encore that the duo broke out some old jams from Envy on the Coast. The response was massive.
And the idea hit them — maybe Envy on the Coast deserved another run.
Now in 2017, Byrne and Hunter are recording and touring the band as a duo, and are on the cusp of recording new music, and performing a quick holiday tour. We chatted with Ryan Hunter to talk about all of this.
Can you talk about the moment you realized that you guys wanted to bring Envy on the Coast back together after a seven year hiatus?
I don’t recall the exact moment. I vaguely remember having a conversation with Bri near his old house in Huntington, NY walking to get Thai food or something. I remember being like “Hey you remember those days? I mean I’m totally older now and really really busy, but like we had fun, right?” And he was like, “Yeah I mean, I’m so busy too. Like so busy and totally whatever. But yes those were the days. Maybe we could…” and I was like, “I suppose we could maybe…” And now we’re married with 3 kids.
How has Envy on the Coast has evolved/changed, both sonically and lyrically, since Envy on the Coast is now a duo?
Strange to say this, but I don’t think we can answer that yet, because we’ve yet to actually find out. The new EP is comprised of seven year old songs that we finally finished. The demos we’ve worked on since the EP don’t sound like the EP. They’re better than the EP. They’re really exciting. I can’t compare them to the other releases just yet, because it’s too early and I’m too inside of the work.
How’d it feel to release a record this year after such a long time?
It felt really good. I have a bad habit of under-celebrating. It wasn’t until I had the vinyl in my hands that I was like, “Oh wow. We put out a record.”
Mike Sapone co-produced the EP — what did he bring to the table for the EP in terms of production?
Mike brought his abilities to cure stage seven demo-itis to the production process. If you’re unfamiliar with demo-itis, it’s when you make demos and then you grow attached to said demos and can’t get the real deal to match the energy of the demos. Our demos sounded like trash, but because we sat on them seven years, we were used to the way they sounded. Mike was able to take the songs to a listenable and sonic place that we couldn’t.
What can crowds expect from your run of holiday shows this week?
Honestly, likely the best shows yet. We hit the phase of this whole thing where we’re sick of parts and sections of songs which used to happen after about 10 months of touring. Only took us about 20 shows this time. So we dive in and flip things upside down and have fun with songs, which is usually the parts of our shows that fans tell us were most exciting for them. So, if you saw us at the prior reincarnation shows, and are considering skipping these, you’re screwing up.
Dillinger Escape Plan’s Billy Rymer will be performing on the tour with you. Why was he your choice to sit behind the kit? Also, what dynamic does he bring to the songs of EOC?
The first time I played with Bill, we met at his house. We had previously yet to meet in person, but had written one song together by passing demos over gmail. He sat down behind the kit, took his shirt off (it was summer and hot…not like some macho nonsense), sort of bobbed up and down with energy for a moment, and then with this crazy look in his eye, he said, “Let’s play our song.” That’s why we called Billy.
You’ll be recording a new record in the spring — how will this be different from the EP?
Well, for one, the songs won’t be seven years old. Also, in the past, a lot of times the ideas we start can come from both Bri or myself.
But this time around, thus far, I’ve wanted to strictly work off ideas Brian sends me. I still send him drums, ’cause he likes something rhythmic to write to, but I don’t put anything else over them. I feel like he has an identity as a player that will form the personality of this record. If I’m playing bass or guitar or keys before he gets a hold of the demo, even the simplest progression I send him can cross out so many directions that he could have otherwise gone in.
So I’m getting rid of that step so that I can be inspired by his chordal/melodic instincts, which in my opinion, are more exciting than my own. I’m essentially handing him the pot, and he’s picking the ingredients that go in. Then I come in and stir, maybe waft a bit of the scent, and then together we figure out what we’re actually cooking.
What do you have planned for the rest of 2018?
Some tour stuff on the horizon and just a whole ton of writing.
