Interview with Seth Salois of Psycle

June 17, 2020

Interview with Seth Salois of Psycle

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Seth! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.

CV: So many things can define an artist; their sound, their style, their look...even their attitude. What do you think makes an artist unique, even iconic? Is it something more than just the music?
Seth Salois: I believe that what makes an artist unique is their ability to affect the most diverse crowd of people with their art. I think all of the things you mentioned above play a big factor in creating an icon but I believe the ones who are truly looked at in an iconic status are because of the inclusivity they create with what they do. I think icons make people feel accepted no matter who they are.

CV: Is being a "rock star" still a relevant term in today's music industry? Is it something worth aspiring to become especially for a young, up and coming artist?
SS: I feel that the “Rockstar” term has been gone for a while in my opinion. I think that music has drastically changed and the times we live in have changed. I feel that with social media and fans ability to peek behind the curtain more, the mysterious and dangerous archetype has changed. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t still rock stars but I think we as artists are able to have a closer relationship with fans now due to social media and access. Also, with the change in the music business, artists aren’t able to live the same lifestyle as they were years ago. Many of the bigger artists are still clawing their way on the road. I think something to aspire to is to be genuine and provide a platform for people to feel hope…to me that’s inspiration.

CV: From your experience, does songwriting tend to define the band or does the band inevitably define the songwriting in your opinion? Meaning, can specific songwriting styles or formulas pigeon hole a band over time, creating limitations or does that particular style create a level of freedom and uniqueness?
SS: This is a great question! I think that the beautiful thing about songwriting is it can take you to places you never thought you would go…only if you let it. How many times have we seen bands have their debut album and people go crazy and it gets popular and then their second album drops and everyone says “What happened”? They sometimes completely change their style and people don’t understand it. I think this goes back to influence. Nobody knows what state of mind the band was when they wrote either album or who had power to suggest they do certain things. I have read many artists say they would rather not be famous and play the music they want than have to produce albums that don’t capture who they are. I actually was just listening to Ian Thornley from Big Wreck talk about this. Ian mentioned that he actual did do the first Thornley record as a project specifically for the commercial attention. He did also say that he is much happier writing Big Wreck albums in the style and vain of what is in his musical soul. I for one know that us (Psycle), have always been honest with our songwriting and the process with each other. We don’t write to make it commercial; we write music as if it will be something we want to listen to ourselves. I think that is where a lot of our influences make an impact on us as songwriters. Freedom to be what you need to be is the greatest gift of being a songwriter.

CV: Given that there has been so many major developments and changes over the last several decades, would you consider the music industry to be a viable and stable enough environment for new artists and bands to even attempt to make a successful career, or at any rate, a living, in your opinion?
SS: In my honest opinion…No, However, if that’s why you are doing it than you already started running the wrong way. It has changed so many times over the years but to be constant is hard work. It may be a lot harder to “make” it these days but what it does take is doing your homework, investing in the right people and resources and not thinking it is going to happen overnight. There is no quick fix and if it’s easy…then it might not be the best way.

CV: How would you describe the difference between an artist who follows trends and one who sets them?
SS: I think that the artist who follows trends pays attention not just to what others are doing well but what they do well. I think some people follow trends thinking they can grab the cape and ride it but sometimes it just makes them stick out like a sore thumb. Artists who set trends are the ones who spent the most time listening instead of talking. It’s very hard to become more intelligent when you don’t listen. Also, they have probably surrounded themselves with veteran artists who have already made the mistakes for them.

CV: Has digital technology made everyone an artist on some level in your opinion? Has such access, from a consumer standpoint, changed the game for more seasoned artists to find and maintain their audience?
SS: I think even before technology, an artist is someone who creates inspiration whether that be from music, photography, drawings etc. All technology has done now is give people access to more people. I know that you can do more in studios with technology but at some point, you have to get in front of people, and that can be scary if you can’t re-create your art. Another piece of that is people access to you. You have to be very careful what you do, say and create because it only takes 1 click for it to spread. Sometimes it’s not always for the betterment of that artist.

CV: Can a band truly interact with its fans and still maintain a level of individual privacy without crossing the line and giving up their “personal space” in your opinion?
SS: I think you can always have your privacy as long as you pick your own boundaries and stick to them. You have control of the access you give people and you have the power to open or limit that as much as you want. I think everyone, especially for their families want to have a certain level of privacy. I do think it is incredible to be able to peak behind the curtain and see these artists off stage and as regular people. I think it can drive the creative process and make people feel more attached to them and their art.

CV: Do you feel music still holds a place in our current culture of social media distancing and instant gratification? Does music still have the same meaning as it once did in our world?
SS: I think music and art in general are undeniably needed and I think that this distancing has shown that. Music has a power to change, craft or create our mood that many things don’t. Even if we are not taking these things for granted, losing the ability to have them even for a small amount of time makes us appreciate how powerful they are. I think music especially will always have a place in our lives and maybe even more now with our ever changing landscape.

CV: What's one thing being in a Rock band taught you that you feel you would not have learned elsewhere?
SS: I think that being in a rock band and especially the one that I am in has taught me that it’s ok to not be right. I have always been the kind of person who wants to help other, sometimes to a fault. Being in a band has to create a lot of trust in many ways. If one person fails or falls, you all fall. I think that to be successful in any way, you have to trust the people that you are creating with. Sometimes, your idea may not be the best or maybe just a piece of it is. As long as everyone is pulling the same way for the right reason, you will be successful

CV: What's next for you? What can fans expect to see coming post COVID-19?
SS: June 12^th our new album “Kill the Machine” comes out! We hope to have as many shows as we can once we get cleared to do that. For us, it’s about reaching as many people as we can with our music and we hope it helps people heal from the times we are in.

CV: Thank you again Seth for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It was a pleasure. I wish you all the best and continued success.
SS: We are truly grateful for your support, thank you!

Check out Psycle at:
Official: https://www.psyclemusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psyclemusic/

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.