Supergroup Saint Asonia formed just this past year, with band mates from other bands all networking together to create a band, that wasn't even going to form in the first place. But it all ended up coming together in the long run, leading to them hitting the studio to write and record for their debut Self'-Titled full-length release. Bassist/backing vocalist Corey Lowery discusses the band's debut and plans to promote it like the little baby it is.
1. First of all, who are you, and what do you do in the band?
Corey: Yes, my name is Corey Lowery and I play bass and do back-up vocals.
2. How would you categorize the style of the band?
Corey: I think we're a rock band, with a lot of different elements to it. From the heavy side to the lighter side. Everybody coming in from different bands a lot of it, will bring their element to the band, that it's creating a really cool sound. It's aggressive at times and it's very light at times. Adam sings with tremendous amounts of emotion on both sides of those senses.
3. Where did you guys come up with your band name?
Corey: That would be Adam, Asonia which I originally think means tone death to frequencies I guess. Saint meaning purity, I think he just came up with it out of being pulled in this direction and that direction, being told what to do, in a lot of senses. So there goes the Asonia part, kind of staying pure to yourself, expressing yourself with sincerity, started with making Saint Asonia the name.
4. How did you and RCA Records come together? Are you pleased with what they have been doing for you so far?
Corey: I've been signed to a few different labels, RCA is on top of it. We're blessed with such an amazing team, to make something happen you gota have the right group of people and team behind you. They have been very supportive as far as Adam and Mike, on the record express themselves freely. Just getting behind it, from videos to helping us with social media, to helping with every other aspect, it takes a group to rise a band. We are very fortunate to have them on our side.
5. Who would you say are the bands biggest collective musical influences and also individual ones that you feel can be heard on the record?
Corey: Any time you write a song, you take all of your influences of all the bands you have listened to growing up until now. The important part of that is to grab from that but be yourself. I think that Mike, as far as riffs, stay very unique, solos are so much more exclusive than anything I have heard played before. Adam as well, as far as lyrical content, there's some deep subject matters, but it's not so witty it goes over your head. There's two art forms to getting it done, and you can hear it in his voice and believe in what he is saying. So influence-wise I think there had to be a lot of inspiration coming from band member to band member.
6. Does the entire band contribute to the writing process?Corey: On this record, Adam had some songs and it became very natural. Mike gave him a call and it was just to jam not to put a band together, it ended up flowing very nicely. Mike had given me a call, told me they were doing this and would I be interested. The songs were written by Mike and Adam so when I joined the band, I had such huge respect for these guys, song writing, it's an honor to be a part of it. When we played live for the first time just jamming, I looked over at Adam and had said what would you think if I added harmony or played bass like this, the coolest thing, was that I wanted to be in this band, so he had said just be yourself and that's why you are here, just do it and make it happen. From that point we jammed some songs and it felt like a band. To take it live, it's inspiring and keeps you up on your game for sure.
7. How important would you rate the lyrical side of the new album?
Corey: I would rate it, as some of the best stuff I have ever heard Adam sing. I am not just saying it to say it. I am a true fan of it, a record that I love to sit and jam out too. On this time off riding around with my family and I, listening to it over and over, listening to the lyrics. The lyrics are heard on how it makes you feel. He left it opened enough to keep the subject matter open to where people can relate to it.
8. You have released three singles "Better Place", "Blow Me Wide Open", and "Let Me Live My Life". Why did "Better Place" end up being your first choice for a single?
Corey: It's always tough picking a single. Something that can showcase or spotlight someone as an individual. The song having the right amount of hooks for what the environment of what radio is I guess. "Better Place", live was going to be one of those songs and you can tell playing it live. Management and the label is all a part of it and everyone came to an agreement.
9. A video was shot for the one of the singles “Better Place.” Is that a process you enjoy? Will the other singles be accompanying the video library?
Corey: I love shooting videos. Especially when we went to go pick to shoot it, this guy named Paul Brown, who I worked with before. He had done work with Mike and Adam. On this video Adam had written the script, which was cool to try. He knew what the lyrics were about and had a really cool vision of what the song should be about, everybody loved it. Paul is so great and easy to work with, he got to co-direct on it. It shows us live and has a cool story line and talking about being in a better place.
10. With your new album you decided to go the Self-Titled approach. Do you feel that's a big statement? Why go in this direction?
Corey: I've always enjoyed when bands have done that. It's our first big step ya know? I have always enjoyed when band's albums came out and they represent the songs as themselves. It's a big statement of saying here is Saint Asonia and these are our songs.
11. How does the album art relate to the music on the album?
Corey: I think Adam was a great big part of the album's cover and stuff. All that stuff, video album cover, that stuff comes after the music. The music inspires what they sound look and sound like. I think it's a cool but dark classic vibe to it. It's got that tough but interesting look to it. It's not bland.
12. Do you remember the very first time you heard the final mix of the new record and what you were thinking?
Corey: Yes. I remember Mike sent to it to me. I have a studio with really good speakers, so I played it from front to back, then throwing it on headphones, then burning a CD, driving around with it in my car. It was incredible, when you hear the record when it's mastered that this is the final product. We all look forward to going out and touring for it.
Corey: There were some extra songs, great one's that can be used as bonus tracks for a future release. I think the songs that were picked have a great flow. I am excited for the future of it. Very tough to get a record that you can listen to each song from top to bottom and think this is one of those records. It doesn't stay on the same emotion and it just takes you for a ride. I think that's what all bands are trying to accomplish. I could hear where everybody worked hard putting their soul and passion in it. Overall I think the right songs were picked and is a solid record.
14. What does the next year hold for you and your band?
Corey: Having a record is just having a baby. You want to take care of it and watch it grow. When you release something, you're releasing it to the public, you start building your family. Those songs become everyone's songs. So we look forward to touring and everyone singing with us and giving us energy and being a part of it.
15. Do you have any last words for fans or potential new fans?
Corey: We cannot wait to get on tour! We are going to tour this album hard and everywhere! Please request us and follow us as a band and individually. Keep up us with us as a Saint Asonia relationship and look forward to seeing you all soon!
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