Stupidity Hole

I’ve spent a few hours editing a writer’s piece that’s going up on Culture Eater some time in the future and want to rest as it was mentally exhausting to read and edit, so instead here’s (probably) the last thing from Cool Try that I’ll share.

So this is the last interview (and if I remember correctly, the last thing) that went up on Cool Try. Also one of my better interviews at the time.

Other than one small edit, this is as it was.

Words in bold are mine.

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I hope you enjoy.

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Recently I was given the opportunity to interview Giuliano Ferla of FERLA.
It was conducted via email, hence my questions being a little more thought out than usual.

Here’s the review.

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You’ve recently released a new single by the name of “The Human Heart”.
What was the impetus to release a single that was not part of the recent Guilt Pop / Stay Posi double-EP, and does this imply that an album or EP is on the way?

FERLA: It sure does.

Beyond what the title implies, what is “The Human Heart” about?

FERLA: It’s a hook-up/break-up song. On the last EPs I wrote all these depressing breakup songs and they were all heavy and emotionally wrought. This song was me trying to look at a breakup through a more positive, self-accepting light. There’s no logic to love.

“The Human Heat” is a fairly light, airy composition. Was this an intentional decision made to offset the weight of the lyrics?

FERLA: Interesting, I wouldn’t describe the composition as light or airy, and I don’t think the lyrics are very weighty. I think the music and lyrics compliment each other well.

The video recorded for “The Human Heart” seems to be more performative in nature than it does seem to be about telling a narrative.
Was this thought of as a something that would better compliment the song?

FERLA: Yes.

In regards to your songwriting, do you sit down and compose them, or do you play around on instruments and work on ideas that come to the forefront? Furthermore to this, are songs worked on individually or as a group?

FERLA: It depends on the song. There’s no one way I have to write, it’s a whole bunch of different methods and I just go with whatever method works on the day. Same goes for the second question. I’ll have a whole bunch of songs on the go at one time and work on whichever one resonates on a particular day. Some of the songs end up being little ditties that never see the light of day, some will come out fully fleshed and ready to be rehearsed. Most fall in the middle and take a bit more work to finish.

What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of songwriting?

FERLA: At the moment it’s finding the time. Whenever I go away from writing for a while I start to worry that if I go back to it there’ll be no music left to write, which is ridiculous. But I start thinking that maybe I’ve lost it, maybe I’ve run out of things to say. And then starts negative self-talk and all that self-deprecating babble. But then as soon as I go back to writing there’s always heaps of music and it comes. Action is the antidote. There’s a line in a Kurt Vile song; “Making music is easy, watch me.” That’s become a mantra whenever I start to worry.

How well do you feel your songs translate in a live setting?

FERLA:They do great. I’ve got a band of babes who are great performers and players. I feel pretty lucky to have such talented people around me.

With the upcoming single launch, are there plans to have it lead to a tour?

FERLA: I’ll let you know.

What plans do you have for the near future?

FERLA: I’ll also let you know.

FERLA, thank you for your time. I hope it all goes well.

FERLA: Thanks, likewise.