Interview At First

"Cryo" delves into the captivating world of cryonics, offering a unique blend of music and science fiction themes. In this interview, the band "At First" shares their inspiration, creative process, and the emotions they hope to evoke in listeners. Explore their musical journey and stay tuned for more from this Breda-based group.

1. "Cryo" explores the theme of cryonics, a fascinating and somewhat controversial concept. What inspired you to choose this topic for your latest single?

(Jamie) I was always fascinated with the topic and then read an article about the concept which fascinated her. It made her think about how we might be the last generation that won't be able to cryogenically preserve themselves. 

2. The song's ambiance and sound create an icy atmosphere that complements the cryonics theme. How did you go about crafting the music to evoke this feeling?

(Kevin) Actually, Jamie had the lyrics written far before the instrumental came together. I actually wrote the instrumental without knowing about these lyrics and luckily they matched together perfectly.

3. "At First" has developed a modern metal sound with electronic influences and science-fiction themes. Can you tell us more about how your music has evolved over the years and what makes it unique?

(Barry) We started out as a band more aimed towards a traditional hard-rock style. The two member changes we experienced with Ramses and Kevin joining the band became a catalyst for exploring more of the metal side of our influences. The electronic elements came naturally as our influences also make use them quite heavily.

4. What were some of the influences, both musically and thematically, that played a role in shaping "Cryo"?

(Kevin) For me personally I draw a huge source of inspiration out of the most random things. Cryo actually started with me messing around with a sample pack I purchased. The sounds quickly inspired me and it evolved rapidly into what Cryo eventually became.

5. The narrative of "Cryo" follows a person who is frozen alive and remains conscious due to a mistake. Can you provide more insight into the storyline and what listeners can expect from it?

(Jamie) The lyrics were actually inspired to be a loose continuation of our song "Change". This deals with the story about someone who wants to preserve their brain after having a vision of the way to save our planet.

6. The song was produced, mixed, and mastered by Kevin Sneijers, one of your band members. How did his involvement contribute to the overall sound and vision of "Cryo"?

(Ramses) Kevin's knowledge of audio production opened up new ways for us to experiment with ideas and sounds without being in a rehearsal space together. This really made our songwriting process easier and more involved, Especially during COVID times. We always planned on heading towards a more modern sound with our music and this new way of working helped us quickly achieve that.

7. As a band, what emotions or messages do you hope your listeners will take away from "Cryo"?

(Jamie) I wanted to evoke the feeling of what it would be like to be in a state like that. I hope it will make people think about experiments on human beings.

8. Science fiction often explores the consequences of human experimentation and technological advancements. How does this theme tie into the larger narrative of your music as a whole?

(Youri) The theme actually started on our first EP "Dreams Inc". (Jamie) For me, it's astounding how quickly the world is changing around us with technological advancements and experimentation on humans. For me this is a source of anxiety and writing music about it is pretty much a coping mechanism.

9. Beyond "Cryo," what other themes or topics do you enjoy exploring in your music, and how do you decide on them?

(Jamie) Finding your place in this modern society, dystopian stories and of course love.

10. "Cryo" is now available on all major streaming services. How do you feel about the changing landscape of music distribution and consumption in the digital age?

(Kevin) For us we pretty much never knew it any other way. It is easier to reach a large audience quickly but that is something that is applicable to everyone, which makes it much harder to stand out. (Jamie) It does seem that it made the musical landscape more diverse. You see a lot more popularity in niche genres.

11. Can you share any particular challenges or memorable moments you encountered while working on "Cryo"?

(Kevin) For me it was the first song I wrote right at the start of COVID. So being secluded in my studio with my only communication with the others being through my phone, made the whole process quite different. (Jamie) I drew a lot of inspiration from the feeling of isolation in COVID times.

12. What distinguishes "Cryo" from your previous work, and what do you hope it will achieve for the band "At First"?

(Youri) For me, the whole vibe of the song is much more bombastic and theatrical than our previous work. (Ramses) For us it also brought forward how important the electronic elements are to our sound, this was emphasized in some shows we played where the sound might not have been up to the standard we would have liked it to be at.

13. Are there any upcoming projects or plans you can give your fans a sneak peek of?

(Kevin) We are planning on releasing another new single in the first half of November. So stay tuned for that!

14. Music often serves as a medium for self-expression. What message or feeling would you like to convey to your fans through "Cryo"?

(Jamie) I wanted to convey the feeling of being isolated in your own body.

15. As listeners dive into "Cryo," what would you like to say to them, and how can they connect with you further to stay updated on your music and the journey of "At First" from Breda?

(Everyone) We would love if you followed us on our social media. And if you want us to come and play near you, spread the word and get people excited and we will do our best to make it happen!

At First (@atfirst_band) • Instagram photos and videos

(38) At First - YouTube