The Silencio are a 4-piece pop-rock band hailing from South East Queensland's tourist hotspot, the Gold Coast. With an ever evolving and maturing sound since their inception back in 2014, the band have landed firmly on their feet with the March 2019 release of their new single 'Same But Different'.
Tomatrax caught up with Jan Nicholas Blom, the band's guitarist and lead singer, to talk about their latest offering.
I started the band as a solo project when I was around 13/14 years old but over time I realised that I was more of a rhythmic guitarist so a drummer would compliment the riffs I had been writing. I sourced both Dylan and Jared from having known them through work and writing together just clicked. Kurt came a little later when Dylan swapped the drums out for guitars and keys.
- Where did the name The Silencio come from?
I named the project after a scene in the David Lynch movie 'Mulholland Drive'. The scene just resonated with me and I've been devoted to the name ever since.
- You've said how your single Same But Different reflects the band's drastic change in sound, what prompted this change?
Dylan finally convinced me that he should play an electric guitar and he was right as it truly benefited our sound. I'm still on the acoustic which maintains our signature sound but the electric creates more room tonally to shift what we're doing into more of a mainstream sound.
- You are working on a new album, how has that been going?
We have completed the pre-production now on a further 9 songs and we're scheduled to go into the studio in July to put it all down. It was a big challenge this time around as the songs have a lot more going on in them than on previous material. There was a lot of bouncing ideas off friends and family before we all agreed that what we had was special.
- How will the album compare with your previous work?
This album will have a lot more experimentation on it but I think the general listener would still be able to tell that it's us based on a few of our signatures. We were very proud of the last album when it was finally completed but I feel like this is the album that truly defines us.
- What will the album be titled?
It's as yet untitled. I've been toying with some titles but won't officially decide until I hear the whole thing finished. I kind of want the album to name itself.
- When writing what comes first, the words or the music?
Predominantly the music but this time around, we did write a song with the vocals/lyrics first. I recorded the whole song to just the clicking of my fingers then wrote the music around what I had put down. It's turned out to be one of my personal favourites for this reason.
- Do you ever listen to your own music?
I certainly do. It's the only way to get better.
- What other music do you listen to?
Lately I've been listening to Don Broco, Cave In, Bring Me The Horizon and Thrice. My all time favourites are Radiohead, Silverchair, The Dillinger Escape Plan and Converge.
- What do you have planned once your upcoming album is out?
We toured nationally 3 separate times with the last album. I dare say we'll be doing the same if not more with this next one. Maybe overseas? We'll see.
Check out The Silencio's website to find out more!
