Emerging from the vibrant musical landscape of Milan, Italy, AS WE STRAY stands as a powerful force in the Metalcore scene, intertwining raw emotions with heavy riffs and melodies that resonate deeply with listeners. With a lineup of five talented musicians, AS WE STRAY embarked on their journey with the debut EP “Nothing To Lose,” weaving personal life stories into their music to create a compelling narrative. Their relentless pursuit of authenticity and connection has seen them share stages with renowned acts like Meshuggah, Soilwork, and Jinjer, leaving an indelible mark on audiences worldwide. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, AS WE STRAY retreated to the studio, where they honed their craft and prepared to redefine the landscape of modern post-hardcore.
Having already captured the hearts of fans with releases like “COME N GET IT” and “BLACKOUT,” AS WE STRAY now presents their latest single, “Open Letter.” This poignant exploration of personal struggles and resilience delves into the darkest recesses of the human psyche, confronting themes of mental health and inner turmoil head-on. Collaborating with prominent Italian agencies in the psychology field, such as Wabi-Sabi and Telefono Amico, AS WE STRAY seeks to amplify their message of hope and solidarity, offering support to those grappling with the weight of despair. With its melancholic undertones, blistering guitars, and searing vocals, “Open Letter” serves as a rallying cry against the shadows that threaten to consume us, a testament to the band’s unwavering commitment to authenticity and empathy.
INFRARED MAG: To start, could you please introduce AS WE STRAY and provide some background about the band, its members, and how you came together as a group?
AS WE STRAY: First thing first, we would like to thank you for this interview. We’re a 5-piece Metalcore band from Turin/Milan, Italy. Mark (guitar/voice) and Dave (lead voice) are the founders of the band as you can see today. They worked together for the last 2 years planning what you can now witness. Alan (bass) is our spirit animal; he joined the band in late 2022 while the band was already composing new music. Lorenzo (drummer) is the youngest dude in the band, he takes care of our recording process at the moment, and he’s also working as sound engineer for big artists in Italy. Alex (guitar) is our latest addition to the lineup, he’s far from the rest of the band but ‘re continuously working together online avoiding the distance problem. As a band we have the privilege to perform with some of the greatest band in the scene and worked tons of talented artist across the World.
INFRARED MAG: Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind your latest single, “Open Letter,” and how it relates to the theme of mental health?
AS WE STRAY: We were sitting in the studio one day and we started talking about personal things. We ended up with the main question “what’s that one thing that completely broke you?” “Why did you start a music career?”. Some of our fans know that we started working together before knowing each other, but at some point, we wanted to know each other better and understand the dynamics behind that choice of life.
INFRARED MAG: AS WE STRAY’s collaboration with Italian psychological entities Wabi-Sabi and Telefono Amico adds a unique depth to the song. Could you share the story behind this collaboration and its impact on the track?
AS WE STRAY: The story behind this collaboration is linked to the singles’ needs, in the darkest moments of our lives, when we needed help and it never came to us. To avoid this, we wanted to collaborate with them to help as many people as we can.
INFRARED MAG: “Open Letter” combines melancholic elements with the raw energy of metalcore. How did you approach blending these contrasting musical styles in the song?
AS WE STRAY: We didn’t study a way to mix things, it came out naturally following the flow of the concept.
INFRARED MAG: The video production for “Open Letter” is described as reflecting the song’s themes. Can you elaborate on the creative process behind the video and its connection to the song’s message?
AS WE STRAY: The concept behind the video is to show us in the most vulnerable way. What you see displayed on the screen is what we’ve been through in our lives, the most dramatic scene in our story, and the reason why we are now AS WE STRAY.
INFRARED MAG: Your chemistry as a band is evident in the video. How has your collective experience in the metal scene influenced the creation of “Open Letter”?
AS WE STRAY: We had the chance in the past to play with the biggest names in the scene, and those experiences helped us a lot in the writing manner, having the chance to understand how the bigger bands think about music and knowing their creating process is just amazing. The lyrics, on the other hand, is just something we need to say to the world.
INFRARED MAG: With the impending release of “Open Letter,” can you give us a glimpse into the exciting new paths you are set to explore in your musical journey?
AS WE STRAY: Right now, we just want to say that we’re already paving the next part of our path. And we’re looking forward to sharing new music with you all, since it’s going to be a completely new experience.
INFRARED MAG: “COME N GET IT” and “BLACKOUT” garnered a growing fanbase. How does “Open Letter” fit into the evolution of your music and what can fans expect from your future releases?
AS WE STRAY: Open Letter wasn’t marketing // commercial // ads. It is a bunch of emotions and thoughts we had inside our heads for a long period of time, and we felt the necessity to release it, cuz till this moment open letter it’s tatted on our skin.
INFRARED MAG: Your debut EP “Nothing To Lose” showcased your ability to weave personal stories into your music. How has your approach to storytelling evolved in “Open Letter”?
AS WE STRAY: Open Letter was in the works when we started recording Nothing To Lose, we re-arranged it and took it back alive last year. We liked the idea of us telling each other why everything started, and that’s what happened when we approached the lyrics in the first place.
INFRARED MAG: Fans of various metalcore bands will find “Open Letter” compelling. Could you highlight some of the musical elements that make this single stand out?
AS WE STRAY: As some of you may know, before being musicians, we deeply loved and respected music and art. We get tons of influence from bands like I Prevail, Bad Omens, Architects, Wage War etc. As well as we get influence from Banksy and many other artists.
We get that sound mixing the dark vibes that mark loves with the heaviness and harsh melodies that distinguish. -Dave
INFRARED MAG: The production of “Open Letter” at Theorem Studio and the artwork by Silvia Zappatore are mentioned. How do these elements contribute to the overall artistic expression of the single?
AS WE STRAY: Jarno from Theorem Studio simply just helped us to re-arrange the song and he gave it a new life, he’s incredibly talented in his job and we worked together for “come n get it” and “blackout”. Silvia, on the other hand, is working with us for all the visuals we need and her representation of “open letter” just hit the target perfectly. It represents exactly what we were thinking. It isn’t mentioned but we also work with Michael Perri who worked on the “come n get it” and “blackout” video, and also every behind the scene. Having such a creative team behind our back is helping us giving 100% on the next record we’re currently closing right now.
INFRARED MAG: AS WE STRAY’s lineup brings together diverse talents. How does this diversity influence the sound and direction of your music?
AS WE STRAY: We all have a different approach to the writing manner, but all of us write music. It is almost ritual, Mark’s the main composer, he usually writes the songs and then he sends the demos to the band, Lorenzo then starts working on the drums while Alan and Alex are working on the bass and the melodies. Until Nothing To Lose, mark was the only lyricist, but since Dave became the singer he started writing all the lyrics.
INFRARED MAG: Your presence extends beyond the music with active engagement on online platforms. How important is it for you to connect with fans through these platforms, and what can fans look forward to in terms of behind-the-scenes content?
AS WE STRAY: Since we’re living in 2024, social media is the only true way to spread the word of AS WE STRAY. We really love to connect with our fans all over the world and have the chance to get to know them more as the fan base grows. We’re now finally working harder on our contents planning, and we’ll start releasing more in depths contents.
INFRARED MAG: “Open Letter” marks a pivotal moment in your journey. Can you share your vision for the future of AS WE STRAY and how you aim to redefine modern post-hardcore music?
AS WE STRAY: The pivotal moment wasn’t about the music we released but it was inside our heads. We are continuously evolving, and we love to try new things.
INFRARED MAG: Italy’s metalcore scene is growing. How do you see AS WE STRAY contributing to the broader metalcore landscape in Italy and beyond?
AS WE STRAY: We are one of the few bands that actually wants to bring their music to a wider audience, as Italians we love our country, but we truly believe that we need to be more on the foreign stages.
INFRARED MAG: Finally, for our readers who might be new to AS WE STRAY, what message or experience do you hope they take away from listening to “Open Letter”?
AS WE STRAY: We simply want everyone to know that it doesn’t matter how hard life can be, if you can find your personal inner spark to follow, everything will be all right in the end.
INFRARED MAG: As we wrap up this insightful interview, is there a message you would like to convey to your fans who have been eagerly following your journey, and could you share some insights into your future plans and what they can look forward to from AS WE STRAY in the coming months?
AS WE STRAY: We’ll be 100% focused on finishing the record and then we will start touring consistently. From the bottom of our hearts, WE LOVE YOU and we cannot wait to meet you all this year. STRAY FAMILY. DAVE // MARK // ALEX // ALAN // LORENZO
As AS WE STRAY continues to pave their path in the music industry, their unwavering dedication to authenticity and connection remains at the forefront of their artistic endeavors. With plans to release new music and embark on an exciting tour, the band looks forward to sharing their passion with fans around the world. With heartfelt gratitude and a message of love, AS WE STRAY extends their appreciation to their dedicated fanbase, affectionately known as the “Stray Family,” promising to stay true to their roots while embracing new opportunities for growth and creativity. As they journey forward, AS WE STRAY remains a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us all that even in the darkest moments, there is light waiting to be discovered.
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