A Dirty Dozen with IAN SLAGLE from MOTIVES – March 2020

According to a recent press release: “Cleveland alternative rock band MOTIVES are readying for a monumental year with the upcoming release of their new full-length album, Death Throes, that’s out on March 13th from Smartpunk Records. The band is kicking off 2020 with a brand new single and the title track, “Death Throes,” which is accompanied by an epic music video that premiered. Fans can pre-order the album now in a variety of bundles including a super limited-edition balaclava, as worn in the new music video.” We get singer Ian to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Death Throes is an album I fell in love with while writing. I think we’ve really come into our own sound with this release. One thing I think listeners will notice with multiple plays through is how carefully layered it is. Subtleties from certain guitar leads or vocal harmonies will really start to stick out. I’ve definitely tossed in a few references to other works as well as a tie in with previous album lyrics of ours. No spoilers though!

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I got into more underground music when I was about 14. My best friend showed me these aggressive bands that I’d never heard of, and I immediately wanted to be a part of it. The counterculture aspect was exactly what I was looking for as a teen struggling to find a place to be.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Absolutely. In 2005, at Peabody’s in Cleveland (RIP) my first show was Between The Buried And Me, Every Time I Die, Bleeding Through, and Haste The Day. I had never seen anything like it. It was a really good blend of different sounds in metal, which eventually led to me finding hardcore and other genres.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

This is a really hard one. Specifically for Motives, I’d say Comeback Kid, Have Heart, Misery Signals, This Will Destroy You, and It Prevails.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Honestly, Hayley Williams. From mewithoutYou to The Chariot, her features always make the track that much better, and her voice is incredible. She really presents herself as a genuine person too. Let’s do it, Hayley!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

It’s cliché to say “melodic, but heavy,” but that’s kind of an easy way to describe our sound as a base. We’ve been compared to Counterparts, and they are one of my favorite bands, but if you played our tracks back to back with theirs, I’d ask you what the fuck you were talking about. I truly believe we have our own brand of melodic hardcore or metalcore or whatever you want to call it.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Being a musician has given me the opportunity to travel make friends all over the country. Playing music every night is a feeling like no other and never gets old. It’s a creative outlet I could never take for granted. If I wasn’t doing this right now, I’d really like to dive into the world of animation or voice acting.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who get s the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

If you give Motives any free time at all, we will find a beach and grill. We have an unbeatable mobile set up for whipping up burgers (vegan ones too), breakfast, and coffee in a matter of minutes, and everyone is welcome if they ever find us. Bring three beers and two sarsaparillas please. We’re usually too busy tossing sack or kicking a ball to play guitar.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

The last time I was was starstruck was during Have Heart’s set at Sound and Fury 2019. I had never had a chance to see them perform before their hiatus, and finally experiencing that in the intensity of S&F was nothing short of amazing. My heart was racing the whole time. That band really speaks to me as a person.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

One question I see a lot, but have never been asked is to build the perfect tour/fest. My answer is the entire Furnace Fest 2020 lineup (lazy, yes, but it’s true). Everyone who knows me knows I’m still stuck in this mid-2000’s post hardcore phase, and, holy shit, that lineup is everything I’ve ever wanted all in one spot! I don’t like questions that force me to think of things I don’t really give a shit about like “what do you think Leonardo DiCaprio’s favorite ice cream flavor is?” Like, I dunno man who cares?

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I guess there’s a few things I would like to have done differently regarding labels, recording, etc, but it’s all been a learning process for our band over the years. I appreciate the mistakes for what they are because now we can approach a number of things much better than we ever could have.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would love to go back and witness the recording of No More Stories… by Mew. I remember watching a short behind the scenes video on it and that band defines the word “experimental.” They are just such a talented and interesting group to me, and their discography is exceptional.

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Category: Interviews