[Exclusive Interview]: Meet Your New Favorite Indie Gem, April 2nd
Fresh off their first in-person concert since the start of the pandemic, The Kraze recently got the chance to catch up with the K-Indie band April 2nd. I stumbled upon the band back in 2019 when the Spotify algorithms decided to bless me, and instantly fell in love with their sound. More than two years later, the band’s newest release somewhere between you and me is still love at first listen for me. In our chat, April 2nd’s vocalist Kyunghee answered on the band’s behalf and elaborated on the messages behind their latest album, what goes into songwriting for an indie band, and gave us some insight into what makes April 2nd…well, April 2nd. So open your streaming site of choice, prepare to update your playlists, and get ready to know April 2nd.
Q: How is somewhere between you and me different from your past releases? Has anything changed in your creative process this time around?
A: Musically, not really. But, I think the most important part of songwriting is how I could let listeners feel what I feel through the music. At that point, comparing the new EP to the previous albums, it’s a bit moody. Before the pandemic, I went out to hang with my buddies a lot and [went] to parties a lot, so upbeat songs and hopeful songs came out pretty naturally. But yeah, these days I have spent much of my time on my own at home or my studio. So yeah, it’s pretty natural I think :)
Q: What’s your favorite song off the album?
Kyunghee: For me, “Villain.” I always want to try something new when I make a new song, rather than making it sound like something I have done before. In this one, I spent loads of time doing this and it was really fun for me! So I would pick “Villain.” My favorite villain is Loki by the way :))
Daekwang: I love “PDSG.” The imaging and texture of this song are combined perfectly with Kyunghee's vocals, and the meaning of the song seems to be well expressed.
Woogeon: I love “Daisy” best. I liked it a lot from the first time I listened to this melody line. Though the song has changed a little bit during the arrangement, I think the impression I felt at first still remains.
Sunny: "Goodnight Goodnight.” The full sound feels good and comes close to me. And I think it goes well with the weather these days.
Q: Was there any song on the album that was particularly a challenge to write?
A: Hmm [...] My fav one! “Villain.” It was really fun to make this one cuz we tried something new a lot, as I told you. But it was so hard at the same time. I remember I spent like a whole night for just one bar of synth line, and a couple of weeks for just two bars of a riff.
Q: You’ve said before that the inspiration behind somewhere between you and me is about the hidden, unnamed emotions a person can feel. What do you hope listeners take away from the album?
A: Well, when I listen to music like Michael Jackson or Oasis, I feel like it heals myself. Sometimes it cheers me up and gives me positive energy. Sometimes it feels like my old friends are just sitting next to me and cuddling me up. I want people to feel something like that, like I do :)
Q: You just had your first concert since the start of COVID-19. How did it feel finally getting to perform in front of fans again?
A: It feels so lovely to be back on the stage. For me, playing on stage is one of the best parts of doing music! So, yeah I had waited for that so long! And I had an amazing time! :)
Q: Do you have any dream venues you’d like to perform in?
A: Wembley. I went there to see Muse like years ago. I’m a huge fan of them, and I’m a big football fan! So yeah, my dreamland is Wembley Stadium in London.
Q: Any hopes for an international tour one day?
A: Absolutely. We had amazing memories from Taiwan. We went there to play shows like five years ago and it was fantastic. We still talk about that a lot and everyone wants to tour! As much as we can! Hope it’s gonna happen soon :)
Q: What’s your favorite song you’ve written? Why?
A: I can’t seem to pick just one :) As a band song, I would pick “The Hill of Yearning.” I was so happy people loved it a lot! And as a songwriter, I personally worked on a song called “Spotlight” sung by BOBBY from iKON. I like that one too!
Q: What’s the last thing that inspired a song?
A: Interesting question. I always put something down on my phone. Sometimes it’s lyrics, sometimes melodies, sometimes it’s just random things that pop into my head. I just checked my phone now and the last thing I wrote about is...the new Spider-Man.
Q: With a career spanning over 10 years, you’ve had plenty of time to experiment with different sounds, but what’s one genre you’d like to try that you haven’t before?
A: Hard rock. Recently I really got into Greta Van Fleet. They make me think of the music I fell in love with when I was in childhood. I want to try something that I loved when I was young!
Q: What’s easier to write, a happy song or a sad song? A fast song or a slow song?
A: I don’t know, it’s all [the] same I think :)) Sometimes I write one song in one night, but sometimes I [get] stuck in just for the intro for a month. And It happens randomly. So, yeah, for me it doesn’t seem to be related to music styles.
Q: If someone discovered you through some of your K-Drama OSTs like Crash Landing on You’s “The Hill of Yearning,” what April 2nd song would you recommend to them next?
A: Good one! I would say “Temptation” from the album called Colours. I love this one, so fun to play and listen to!
Q: What April 2nd song do you think describes April 2nd the best?
A: “Guess What” from Colours. The traditional April 2nd vibe!
Q: What song is stuck in your head lately?
A: Jimmy Fallon / Ariana Grande / Megan Thee Stallion - “It Was A…(Masked Christmas)” :))
And “Rollerblades” by Blake Rose. I have seen the [music video] of this one like a hundred times :) I just decided to try rollers~
Q: If you could switch places with anyone in the band, who would it be?
A: Haha. I don’t really want to….:) But, hmm, I want to be in the main control room and to be a sound engineer!! :)
Thank you so much to April 2nd for taking the time to talk with us! We’re so happy to hear your recent concert went well and can’t wait for the chance for you to meet more fans, hopefully in 2022. We look forward to your next release, especially if you choose the hard rock route. Until then, be sure to check out the band’s latest tracks on their official channels.