Interview: Catching Up With Archie Alone + Stream Their New EP

Comprised of Nicole Mesce (vox/guitar), Cindy Ward (vox/guitar), Tony Mastrolia (bass) and Pete Clark (drums), NJ-based emo/post-hardcore group Archie Alone explore the complexities of relationships with a heavy sound. Their new EP, Archie Alone, continues their work in that arena with six songs that blend seamlessly together but also work as their own standalone worlds.

To celebrate the EP release, we sent Archie Alone some interview questions. Check it all out and be sure to order your copy of Archie Alone by clicking through on the Bandcamp embed below.

Hi, Archie Alone! Congrats on your new EP. Can you tell us a little more on
who you are and how you first got into making music?

Tony: Thank you so much! Personally, the reason I wanted to play in a band was to make people feel the way music has always made me feel. Back in 2012ish, me and a few friends formed Archie Alone and would practice in my attic. We went through a few member changes before finally sticking with the lineup we are today.

Nicole and I met Cindy when she booked us to play at the Canvas Clash in Boonton. One of her bands also played the same show so we figured we would ask her to jam with us. Awhile later, we asked Pete to play drums for us, who Cindy knew through playing in a different band together. After about 5 years, we finally found the perfect lineup.

Our main goal has always been to make music that embodies the emotions of the bands that we grew up listening to in hopes to extend it to others.

What’s your songwriting process like? Who are some of your biggest
influences?

Pete: We usually just jam on an idea that one of us brings to practice and we start piecing things together by feel. Once we have the skeleton for something, we’ll go back and tighten up the loose ends.

We all have an eclectic mix of what we listen to and what influences us. A couple of us grew up listening to bands like Brand New, Bayside and Saves the Day. Tony grew up listening to melodic punk and Fat Wreck Chords bands like NOFX and Lagwagon so it’s really fun to get in the same room together and create something.

What’s “Motives” about? How did it come to be?

Nicole: “Motives” is about trying to establish genuine friendships/relationships but figuring out that most people are not interested in reciprocating that same type of altruistic outlook. A majority of the time there is some type of ulterior motive set in their minds.

The concept came about through experiences and encounters I have had in my life. One day while in practice we just started playing around with some instrumentals. I had thrown in a vocal melody and some words, which resulted in this catchy chorus. Then we just added onto it and before we knew it, we had the song “Motives.”

How much of this album was inspired by past relationships?

Nicole: A lot of this album is about different types of relationships and experiences. A minor part of it involves romantic interactions. It’s mostly about the changes that we go through in our lives as we get older. Things like growing apart from your best friends or losing loved ones and learning to cope with all of it.

Any new New Jersey-based artists/venues/purveyors of the arts you could turn
our readers onto?

Cindy: There is so much talent in NJ! But just to name a few bands who are definitely worth checking out: Feeny, Entia, LKFFCT and Franchise – all super talented/wonderful people. For music venue, we have to give a shout out to our home away from home, The Meatlocker. We were always welcomed with open arms and I feel like we all really grew as musicians through being immersed in such a supportive community.

Other artists to check out are Kelli McGuire who we shot our upcoming music video with as well as took photos. Nicolle Maroulis, creator of an awesome NPO called “No More Dysphoria,” which helps transgender individuals pay for aspects of their transition. And Andrew Murray who has designed a lot of awesome artwork for us recently. You can check him out on Instagram @ Haunted_by_shapes.

Where can we follow you and where can our readers catch you live next?

Cindy: You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram where we’ll be announcing more shows soon.

Any parting thoughts? Open platform!

Cindy: Thank you so much for taking the time to interview us and we hope you like the new EP!