How would you describe your songwriting process?
I guess we can describe our songwriting process as an emotional process of crafting a tale from an idea. The early process always begins with a story. There’s no song without a story behind it. In the case of our EP songs it is mostly stories that come from Maors past (Our frontman), translated into music. Sometimes that translation is altogether lyrics and melody, sometimes just one of them. In that case we all come together and fill in the missing parts. That is when the real deal starts. When the whole band comes to hear a sketch of an idea for the first time and start evolving it to a whole story. We can spend hours just thinking about a drum part, guitar riff or bass line that will highlight the idea behind the song and create a story. We are all in it. At that moment we live the tale we create. We listen and we try to realize how each of the others feel about it, and we synthesize these feelings into lyrics and music.
How has this process evolved over time?
At the beginning it was usually just Maor and Erez (Our lead guitarist) writing most of the music. It would wound up sound and feel the same and had the same vibe.
Most of our songs consist of 2 verses that used to sound almost the same. It all changed when we got Naor (Our Bass guitarist) and Matan (Our drummer) to pitch in the process. We realized how fun it is and how much progress could be added to a song. In most of our songs now the 1st and 2nd verse are pretty different. They develop and progress in time, scale or vibe, as the story would. We also have this idea that a song can always change and is not finished until we record it at the studio. We can change lyrics, guitar solos, even rhythm parts. Because we truly believe each song is a representation of a certain time in life. People, places and times change, and for each of them the same song is a different story.
Do you take songwriting inspiration from anyone in particular?
We take a lot of inspiration from Hard-Rock bands that their story and how they build it in their songs amaze us. In particular bands like Alter Bridge, Breaking Benjamin, Staind & Foo Fighters who we really think have great music. Of course, we adore and respect their way of passing their ideas. But in the end, our ideas and beliefs shape our story, our music, and eventually create our unique tone.
What is the hardest thing about songwriting to you?
The part of translating a “sketch” to a production. Usually a song brought to the band consists of 1 or maybe 2 good guitar riffs, and most of it is just a mess at the beginning. That’s the part of one person trying to communicate the story, with just a guitar riff, or just a drum or a bass line. It takes some time not only to turn the story into a song, but also to be in complete sync when each of us is using his instrument to tell it.
Do you have any remedies for a creative writing block?
Live your life. You have a story. Live it. Be a part of it. Our motto is that there are tons of stories waiting to be told and that there is a story behind every song. If you have a creative block it means you think your story is fading or not worth telling.
You should always believe that your story is worth your creation. When any of us just connect to the story he has in heart and mind, it is enough to pick up a guitar and strum a chord, and it all adds up. So tell yourself your story, pick up your instrument, and the rest will come.
Same Old Tale will be releasing their new single ‘Look Down’ early 2023 on all major streaming platforms.