Fangs! Questions Answered
Hello, Jessy here!
Just wanted to say thank you before diving in because I’ve really appreciated you sticking around on my journey as a musician, composer, and writer. It is nice having friends that cheer you on and are supportive of your art. I’ve been doing this a long time, and I’m still learning that it’s crucial to have good people in your corner. Thank you, and I hope my answers to some of the many questions you asked will be satisfying!
Let’s dive in!
@mycreativelook
Q: Regarding the album artwork, how did you come up with the design ideas and decide on the elements that you are showcasing?
A: I’ve always loved the Art Nouveau style. And so I gave an art brief to the graphic designers at Invisible Creature that included some references and then a write-up of some lore about the story of Fangs! Mainly, I wanted to include elements in the art that were important keys to the story — poison, arrows, thread, and some location names.
@gholman827
Q: What was your thought process when writing this album? This one feels like the band was turning a new page creatively, and I’ve always wondered if that was the case or not. Also, are you happy with the way the album was received by the public?
A: I was going through two big changes in my life: one was musical, and the other involved some personal things in my life. I had a deep pool to fish in, so to speak. And I wanted to write an album that reflected both of those events. I’m super happy with the way it was received; whether our fans liked it or didn’t care for it, I think everyone could sense the sincerity behind it, and that’s exactly what I was hoping for. Anytime people can sense my music as sincere, that’s my highest honor and ultimate success.
@mattvotino
Q: Need to know more about the interpolation with Panic and Geo-Primaries and Arch To Achilles. What is it about the melody that moved you to reuse it for this record?
A: I had a dream that I was deaf and standing in tall, waving grass. And in the dream, I heard the Arch To Achilles melody. I woke up and instantly hummed it into my recorder. Side note: I keep a recorder by my bed because I often hear things in my dreams and wake up and record them quickly. But keep in mind; I’m not trying to be all arty and mysterious by saying this. Because only a few times have the melodies been cool enough to use as songs. Most of the time, they are utterly ridiculous, super stupid, or half-asleep renditions of songs that already exist! Anyway, the dream/melody was a very profound moment for me. So I carried it over to a couple of songs that are lyrical center points to Falling Up lore.
@amemoryoflight_
Q: What’s your favorite song on the album? If you could go back (or re-release) is there a song you would change or rewrite?
A: Favorite song is The Chilling Alpine Adventures. If I could go back, I’d expand The King’s Garden into the longer vision we had for it. Because we tracked the whole record in 3 weeks, one song ended up being pushed back a lot.
@bean-phlores
Q: Because it’s “Fangs!” Is it required to shout the title of the album when talking about it?
A: I think the best delivery of the line would be more like a horrified realization. The title is meant to have an air of betrayal about it.
@yepitskeys
Q: To echo all the other lore questions, how is Fangs related to Hours??
A: The Hours story holds a special place in my heart, BUT, the Bethel Woods universe is currently getting revamped in a way that works better narratively. With that being said, originally Fangs! took place after the events of Seth/Finn and the others at the orphanage. It was a part of an adventure that a character named Colby went on later with her classmates in a place called The Attic. For a frustrating little jab, this is the same Colby (but as an adult) mentioned in the song Boone Flyer and in an unreleased Gloomcatcher song titled Good Luck Colby. I know this answer probably doesn’t help anyone, but I am really excited for the future of the FU lore in terms of these stories getting fleshed out with more clarity and narrative. Most of the tales (including the Hours audiobook) that are within the FU universe were designed to fit within the context of the concept albums. But I’m excited to dive into the universe without that ceiling, so to speak. And with all that being said, the story of Fangs! is far from over.
