The Indie Distributor got a chance to have a great conversation with The Human Drive’s Josh Wareham (lead vocals and bass guitar) about their latest release, “ERA | END”. We explore the inspiration behind the album, the impact of a founding member’s departure, and the creative process involving a new producer.
We also touched on the challenges and rewards of integrating technology into their music, navigating the evolving music industry, and the balance between artistic integrity and audience expectations.
The Indie Distributor: So I wanted to talk to you about your new release, which you’ve worked on steadfastly. We just wanted to dig into that a little bit and find out, what is the era that ended as a result of this release? What’s the meaning behind the title and the philosophy of how you approached the new release?
Josh Wareham: Our new release is aptly named “ERA | END” and it’s the last few songs in a collection of five we’ve been working on for the last couple of years. We call it “ERA | END” because our longtime guitar player, Adam Finney, one of the founding members of The Human Drive, chose to depart from the band a couple of months ago. It was a mutual decision; he’s a great guy and one of our best friends. We built this band together with him. However, the three of us—me, John, and Nick—always had more of a modern rock, progressive background, while Adam was more into classic rock. So, the name signifies the end of an era because Adam was an integral part of our sound. It’s bittersweet to have the songs out because of songs like “Break the Cycle, and “Mind and Body,” which fans and family have gravitated towards over the years. Finally having them out was a long time coming.
The Indie Distributor: According to Daniel Ek, at least it costs nothing, right?
Josh Wareham: (laughs) Obviously, on the backend, it takes a lot to release a song and get it to the point where you’re happy to share it and not completely sick of it. We hooked up with a new producer, Luc Chiasson https://www.lucchiasson.com/ He helped us breathe new life into these songs. At first, we were sitting on them for a year, not so stoked about them, but Luc helped us give the songs their proper due. We’re really stoked about the way they ended up, and it’s a full-circle moment for us.
The Indie Distributor: When in the cycle did you decide to bring a producer into the mix?
Josh Wareham: It came largely from our first EP in 2018, which we did mostly ourselves with some friends of Nick, our drummer. They started a production company called Line One. It was cool to work with friends, bounce ideas off each other, and have that open-mindedness to production. With our new material, we wanted to see what a producer could do for us. The other guys were on the fence, but once we met Luc, it was clear he understood what we were going for. It was the right move to make, and finally, we have someone on the same page as us.
The Indie Distributor: There’s often a reluctance to work with a producer because of the fear of giving away creative control. How did you find that process?
Josh Wareham: With “ERA | END” and “Break the Cycle” and “Mind and Body,” we came to Luc with a 95% finished product, and he made some suggestions that breathed new life into the songs. Starting from the ground up with new material was different. At first, it was hard to adjust to someone else’s suggestions, but we learned to digest the ideas, talk them over, and try them out. It’s about compromise and working together to create the best possible music. It’s not about giving up creative control but enhancing the final product.
The Indie Distributor: How has the technical process of your studio work evolved with this new set compared to earlier releases?
Josh Wareham: We’re leaning more into our influences and who we’ve always wanted to be. It’s about doing something well and building upon it. We’ve learned not to get too married to songs and to keep creating more. It’s about consistently putting in the work and evolving as a band.
The Indie Distributor: There’s a lot of push and pull as musicians, balancing the day job with the creative process. Finding your audience is also crucial. How do you navigate this?
Josh Wareham: It’s about focusing on the people who appreciate your sound and not diluting your music to appeal to a wider audience. It’s about creating something that resonates with you as an artist and finding that microcosm of people who support it.
The Indie Distributor: Tell me about Pyra Records. Is that your label?
Josh Wareham: We go through DistroKid, which allows you to create your own label name if you don’t have one. Pyra Records is almost like a solo persona I’ve messed with before. It’s not an actual label but something we use for our releases.
The Indie Distributor: What’s next for you? Are you focusing on new material or upcoming gigs?
Josh Wareham: We’re mainly focusing on new material and integrating more technology into our live shows. We’ve started using backing tracks, which at first was a bit weird, but now we wish we did it years ago. It adds new elements like synths that we couldn’t do before. We’re embracing the technology while keeping the organic feel of our music.
The Indie Distributor: How do you balance using technology without losing the human element of your performance?
Josh Wareham: It’s about using technology to enhance the performance, not replace it. We still want to give a great live show even if the laptop crashes. Technology should be an addition, not a crutch.
The Indie Distributor: Thank you for taking the time to chat. I’m looking forward to your next set of songs and seeing you at Gussapolooza 2024!
Josh Wareham: Likewise, we have some exciting stuff coming up, and you’ll be one of the first we contact. Thanks for the support!