Start At The End is back again this month at NYC’s oldest rock club The Bitter End in New York on April 27. The bands chosen to play are local ones that deserve a chance at creating more buzz and getting their names out there. This month’s lineup is made up of Modern Chemistry, American Lions, Semiotics and When Thieves Are About. We recently caught up with Semiotics to talk about their background, sound, latest release, and more! Check it out below:
How long have you been a band and how did you get started?
After some gentle wooing Seth agreed to join Semiotics and we began playing some songs which became our Simple Requests EP. Luckily at the time Nick was throwing a show at The Banana Stand and making friends with people in the basement scene. This helped us branch out and play a bunch of houses and venues.
Why did you choose your band name?
Nick was taking a class in Tampa in 2010 called “Visual Literacy.” In that class he learned about the meaning of signs and symbols and what the implications of those meanings are. Semiotics is an actual word that means “the study of signs and symbols and how they are used”. Nick writes lyrics from an over analytical where there is meaning/substance within the lyrics and thought this term meshes with how he writes.
How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard you before?
thisissemiotics.bandcamp.com
We sound a lot like this band ^
What was your latest release of music and can you talk about that a bit?
Our latest release is our six-song EP For How. Legally, we can not talk about it for a bit.
Does one person write the lyrics or is it a collective effort?
Nick and Seth hold weekly séances at our house. During them they hold a planchette together above a Ouija board and let the spirits decide our lyrics. After the séance, we usually have 39 songs written. We have a lot of unreleased B-sides.
What is your recording process like?
We recorded our newest record with Brett Romnes (I Am The Avalanche) at Barber Shop Studios in Hopatcong, NJ. Brett showed up to our house and vibed out to the songs beforehand. He helped us figure out how to hone in on our sound. We trusted his judgment since we grew up listening to his band and gave solid input.
What are current projects you are working on? (Tour plans? New music?)
We’re touring a bunch in April and July. The dates can be found on our Facebook page and Bandcamp.
What are your thoughts about this Start At The End A New Sound Series event?
I think we’re gonna play it.
Have you played with any of the other bands before that are part of this lineup?
They all sound familiar. We dunk pretty hard on most of the other bands in New Brunswick. If you listen hard enough to Modern Chemistry, you’ll realize that all of their songs are about Joe crushing on Nick, post-dunk.
What are your goals for the future as a band?
I hope Future works things out with Ciara. He’s a promising musician but, as a band, we we’re rooting for wedding bells.
Semiotics will be appearing at this month’s Start At The End showcase in New York City on April 27. For more on the band, go to thisissemiotics.bandcamp.com, and for more on the event, go to facebook.com/startattheend.
