Emanuel and the Fear is an eleven piece band from New York City. With influences from Cursive and Bright Eyes through to Beethoven and Chopin, Emanuel and the Fear produce quite the eclectic sound, sitting comfortably between the mish mash of jazz, indie and classical they cite as influences. Selling out a selection of New York shows, releasing their debut album and just returning from a European tour, Subba thought it is time to cease the moment and catch up with the man behind the madness, Emanuel Ayva.
For those who haven’t yet listened, how would you describe the music Emanuel and the Fear make?
It's familiar but different, happy, sad, inspiring, and terrifying. I like to think there is something in this music for all walks of life. With that said, I really have no idea, but I believe listening to it you'll understand what I mean.
How did the band get together?
I wanted to start a band, so I put some songs and a demo together, scored them and some new ones out like for an orchestra and with a few Craigslist ads and some friends of friends we came together and have been ever since.
Who are your influences?
I spent the majority of my childhood and teens listening to pop rock from the 60's and 70's like Zeppelin, the Beatles, Hendrix, Pink Floyd, etc. At the end of high school and the start of College I was introduced to underground independent stuff that you couldn't find on the radio or TV. That was really when I started writing songs and music to be honest, listening to these folks and seeing that they were no different from me or anyone else; just people writing songs because they felt like it. I was very influenced by Bright Eyes and Cursive at that point, and have gone on to be inspired by tons of groups in that vein. I must also mention that I've been playing classical music since I was 6 and am very influenced by Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninov, Glass, Cage, Scheonberg, etc.
There are eleven people in the band. Does it the help or hinder the musical process?
It's our thing and I've planned for the band to be this way from the start so it doesn't hinder it as I write everything out. We're starting to all get to know one another much better and people are contributing more now which I think is great.
In terms of dynamics, does having a large band make song writing easier?
I don't think that really affects the song writing. It just makes me have to look at things from that perspective. But at the same time, I don't always have to use the whole band. So I guess it just gives me more options which is nice and/or easier if you want to look at things that way. Though to only have an acoustic guitar and to only know 6 chords might be easier as well because you don't have to worry about choosing between as many things.
And how about practising? I imagine finding a space for a band of your size would be quite difficult…
Again it complicates things, but this is how it's always been for us so we're used to it. There are plenty of places that support bands our size in the city so it's not too big a deal I guess since everyone is dedicated to making time for the band.
What about performing on stage? Does having eleven of you make that more enjoyable, would you say? Do you always even fit on the stage?
At first we didn't really have a choice where we played so yeah, it was tough having to throw sections into the audience. But it was a part of growing up. When stages are too small and sound systems too weak we just play acoustically right in the crowd. It sounds great either way.
Having a bigger group is what it is. I like it and it suits the things in my head that I'm trying to get out.
Your recently released a new album ‘Listen’ – what was ths inspiration behind it?
My life up until that point; which is a weird one from my perspective. But, from what I've seen everyone's lives are pretty damn weird so I guess I'm not really that weird after all.
Has it been well received?
People seem to like it. We're not going to the Grammy’s any time soon from what I can see, but there have been a lot of great reviews and only one bad one; but they spend quite a bit of the review criticizing things that weren't there, i.e. a saxophone part etc.. (there's no sax on the album dude...sorry).
People come out so see us and have been buying it so I guess they like it. I'm excited to keep writing and put more into the world.
What are the highlights of your musical career thus far?
Our first European tour, the "Listen" release party, the first ever show with the full band at Fontanas, hearing my parents say they like the music (they don't like most rock music and would tell me if they didn't like it because they're New Yorkers and can't lie).
And the low lights?
Some of the shows we did starting off were pretty bad. I remember throwing a beer into an empty room of like 5 people who were were talking and not listening to us. I lied to them though. I told them our band name was Godcock so they probably don't remember anyway.
What are your future plans?
To keep going and be heard. I'm writing now and we have lots of travelling and playing ahead of us. There is lots to come and I'm excited about it.
Emanuel and the Fear’s album ‘Listen’ is out now.
Emanuel and the Fear’s site
Emanuel and the Fear’s myspace
Thanks to Gillian at Million PR
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