A Dirty Dozen with LUCAS ESTERLINE from AEIR – November 2021

According to a recent press release: “Columbus, Ohio, Alt Rock band, AEIR, have signed on to Stephen Perkins’ (Janes Addiction) label Perkins Palace Records. The band released their new single “SMOKE ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM” to all major platforms. AEIR is made up of three local Columbus, Ohio, bands; Coya Hill, The Turbos and Personal Public . Before COVID-19 hit, the drummer and singer of The Turbos toured 160 self-booked shows in 2019. When the pandemic hit, The Turbos and friends Coya Hill and Personal Public came to an end, but the bands were still able to connect and form something great together. Even with the world facing so much uncertainty regarding the global outbreak, the newly formed group did not sit idly by but instead got straight to work. During the major lock-downs across the world the band wrote over 40+ songs. Out of the many songs they wrote, they decided on 8 of their favorites for an upcoming release in the future.” We get singer Lucas to discuss new music, influences, and 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?

“Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em” is a take on the smoking guns of American politics, big pharma, the oil industries and big corporations. As well as the collective feeling of defeat experienced by Americans. It was written in early 2020 when the band had just formed, and covid went global. Fans and listeners will always have different takes on specific lines. I always love hearing different folks interpretations. It’s a pretty snarky song. I think most ppl will pick up on the angst from jump tho. This one wrote and plays it’s self. So there’s not really any hidden gems on this track. Just rock n roll.

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

Both of my parents got me in the music. Whether it was sharing their favorite songs from various decades, showing me how to play piano and guitar, to eventually getting me my own instruments. I fell in love with music and the rest is history. The moment I realized I wanted to be a musician was probably at age 15 or 16. I have always had a heavily emotional responses to both music that I play and listen too, as well as music that I write. The feelings that music gives me is like the most addictive drug on the planet.

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

We could do a whole separate interview on specific influences throughout periods of my life. Earlier on it was the music my dad played like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Queen, The Beatles. As I got into my teens I got into punk rock, and eventually into alt rock and modern rock ‘n’ roll. There are too many live or four is that blew my mind to list.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

My main influences fluctuate but as of right now it would have to be: nothing but thieves, Kings of Leon, Badflower, anything from Chris Cornell, and Yungblud.

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

Right now it would probably be Josh Katz from Badflower or Yungblud. I love the way they write songs, sing, and perform. I feel like that’s the kind of energy I want to bring to my music and live shows.

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?

We sound like your new favorite band. I haven’t heard any off brand comparisons. I have a hard time telling folks “what we sound like.” So usually when someone gives me their thoughts I can see where they’re coming from.

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

The feeling I get performing something and getting so into it I don’t think about anything else. writing songs that make me feel something and then getting to see how it impacts others differently. Hearing ppl sing our songs back at the top of their lungs still gives me goosebumps.

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

Casey or Taylor are usually cooking, because they’re usually hosting. We’re all actually pretty good in the kitchen. Maybe we need to have a cook off in the future to determine top chef! I’d say we all responsibly get the drinks in haha! Everyone in the band can play guitar pretty well, but I’d say the first to bust one out its Ben or Taylor.

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

When I met Conor Mason from Nothing But Thieves outside of Newport Music Hall in Columbus, Ohio after one of their shows. Or when we opened for Everclear, Hoobastank, and Wheatus at the Concord Music Hall in Chicago, and I met several of the folks from those bands!

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

I think I’d be a bit lost, because being a musician is all I’ve really wanted. With that being said; maybe a chef or a writer (sports or fiction).

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?

Multiple missteps, but I’d rather not dwell on them. Every failure or “misstep” is a learning experience. the most successful ppl in the world have plenty. Onward and upward.

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?

This question is hard because so many come to mind. I’d have to say Led Zeppelin II. This record reminds me of being extremely young and my dad absolutely cranking LZ. I would always try to sing along with Plant’s crazy vocals, and I would steal Jimmy Page’s riffs when I was learning guitar.

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Category: Interviews