An Interview With The Long Island Punk Act, FIGURE EIGHT!

Photo Credit- Matt Lamourt

On May 24th, the Long Island punk act Figure Eight released their long-awaited debut full-length record called “Any Given Flower.” It is the follow up to their 2017 “Forever” EP.  “Oyster Days” was the first single released from the album.

Figure Eight member, Ryan Meyers shares: “Any Given Flower is a collection of songs I wrote during a 2 year period of my life that deal a lot with the pain of loneliness, being young and struggling with identity and purpose.”

Figure Eight is the latest project from Ryan Meyers, multi-instrumentalist and producer based out of Long Island, NY. The next in a long line of punk lineage from the area, Figure Eight combines the emotional sincerity of ’90s emo with a hard hitting, visceral punk edge that reflects the raw intensity of the basements and late night sessions where they crafted their sound.

Since it’s inception, the band has released 2 EP’s- August and Forever– thus gaining them some small buzz around the DIY scene.

Connect With Figure Eight Here:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/figureeightband

Twitter: www.twitter.com/figureeightLI

Instagram: www.instagram.com/figureeightLI

Website: www.figureeight.bandcamp.com

Learn more about Figure Eight in the following All Access interview:

-Thanks for your time! What is on tap for the rest of your day?

Booking our summer tour!

-Now that we are into the 6th month of the year, how would you say that 2019 is treating the band so far? What are some goals that you have for this year? How are those New Years Resolutions going?

Things have been awesome this year so far, the response to the new record has been absolutely incredible. Very grateful for all the love and support we’ve received so far. Some goals are to tour as much as we can, and get some physical copies of this album! New years resolutions are going actually pretty well this year, with the exception of some cheat days, id say its been fairly healthy and productive haha

-Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be in this group together? Was it hard to think of a name that you could agree on? Has anything surprised you about this musical journey so far?

The band started with just me (Ryan) but i think once we finalized the line up in 2017, with Luke, Andrew, and Alex, it definitely felt right. Everyone is down to play shows and tour, everyone is interested and excited about doing these kind of things, which isn’t so easy to find all the time. The biggest surprise is how much work it takes to be even just minimally productive haha

-How do you think your hometowns have influenced the sound and how you all carry yourselves in this group? If not, what do you think does influence this group?

I definitely think Long Island has an influence on the sound. I think anywhere you grow up will have an effect like that, not only because of the music that’s around, but also and because of the setting. For instance, big skyscrapers give you a different feeling compared to quiet beachy towns, and i believe have that has a big, if not certain, chance to influence your head space and writing. Also of course, bands like Taking Back Sunday and the likes are required listening here on Long Island haha. The smaller local bands like Oso Oso/state lines, Agent, Tomahawk Chop, definitely had a huge influence on my writing and has been where I draw a lot of inspiration from. Our first EP August, took a lot of similar chords that Tomahawk Chop used on there EP

-How did your band name first come together? Was it hard to all agree on one name? What other names were you considering?

The band started with just me (Ryan) being the sole writer and has stayed like that. I don’t really remember how, but I thought of the name Figure Eight and it just stuck, I’m really bad and indecisive about band names.

-Let’s talk about your forthcoming debut full-length album, “Any Given Flower.” What was it like putting this collection together? Did anything surprise you about the overall process?

The writing process was super fun and rewarding, but the recording process was super long and stressful! It took me over a year to record/mix/master the whole thing. I’m very much a perfectionist so doing a full length project is hell for me haha, but at the end of the day its worth it.

-How will you celebrate the release of “Any Given Flower”?

We have an album release show on Long Island at AMH 6/23, with Anxioushum, Fern Dells, Yeah is What We Have, and Lavender Menace. We also will be playing a show in Philly and Brooklyn that weekend but it is still in the works!

-How would you say that your already released song, “Oyster Days” prepares listeners for your full album? What was the inspiration for this track?

I think it gives a general gist of what the album is really about, and it holds a lot of feelings and emotions for me. The inspiration was my feelings (haha) plus a The Cure song and a Soccer Mommy song gave some musical influence.

-Generally, how do you go about writing your music? Do you write together or separately?

It’s just me doing the writing alone. I usually write the lyrics and guitar at the same time and just sing whatever comes to mind. It’s the most pure and organic thing i can think of, and it really works for me.

-How has your sound grown or changed over the years? What has remained the same?

It’s because more mature in all aspects. The songwriting is better, the lyrics, the arrangement, the structure, the production has all improved. But I’m still growing everyday and i have lots of things ahead of me to learn and figure out.

-Where do you think you are all happiest- in the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere?

It really depends, because both studio and on stage can be rewarding and also draining at the same time. Really given on the mood of the day and the vibe

-Where can fans see you perform next? What do you think makes for an ideal show for this group?

Our next show will be our release show like I mentioned earlier! 6/23 at AMH on Long Island with Anxioushum, Fern Dells, Yeah is What We Have, and Lavender Menace

-How has social media impacted this band? How often are you all on your different sites interacting with fans?

Its definitely a huge part of ours, and any other independent artists career these days. I try to stay up to date and respond to as much people as possible. I need to get better at self promotion though haha

-We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how you all think being musicians and in this band still gives you the most joy in life today? Do you find that your music is an escape to all the current events?

Music is definitely an escape and a way to let feelings out. Speaking of the politically climate, our release show on 6/23 will be a fund raiser for The Network For Abortion Funds & The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention!!

-What musicians would you love to work with in the future? What artists have really been inspiring this group and your music since day 1?

I want to work with Tyler the creator. End of story!

Inspiring artist to us include but are not limited to, The Get Up Kids, Say Anything, Title Fight, The Story So Far, Tyler the creator, Counting Crows, Prince

-What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

I just hope people enjoy and that it means something to some one out there

-Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about this group?

Our debut LP “Any Given Flower” is out now everywhere and anywhere! Thank you!!