If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Maeve Gorman and Connor LeFevre, the two young masterminds behind alt/electro-rock duo, Semblance learned that early on. When Maeve found it difficult to find like-minded musicians in her hometown to start a project with, she began to branch out online in search of someone who might be a good fit, and that’s where she found Connor. Despite having never met in person, the two teens hit it off right away, and by the time they finally did come face to face, they had already started writing music together.
Now, Semblance is ready to take the new year by storm. With their new single, “Angel” out now and their EP, I Love You planned for release early this year, 2018 is looking bright for these two. We recently talked with the duo about their unconventional formation, new music and plans for the future. Learn more about Semblance and listen to “Angel” below!
Interview by Shannon Shumaker
Can you tell us a little bit about Semblance for any readers who might not be familiar?
Maeve: I’m Maeve, I sing and play guitar/keys.
Connor: Hi! I’m Connor and I play drums/keys.
You guys have a really unique backstory, because you actually met online and started this project before even meeting in person. How did you first become connected?
Maeve: I had placed an ad online for bandmates because I couldn’t find people in my town that were open to the style I was most interested in pursuing. That, or they just did music as a hobby and weren’t really serious. Connor was the first person to respond and we got the ball rolling basically right away.
Connor: Yeah it was super simple – we started online at first because we lived so far away. When we finally met up we decided to stay as a two-piece.
When did you know that you were going to make a good songwriting team?
Maeve: I think I knew just based on the fact that Connor liked anything and everything as far as music goes. I’m the same way, so knowing that there was so much potential space to explore sonically was exciting.
Connor: Our opinions on music are super similar and we kinda just knew what we were both going for after the first couple of demos.
You guys recently released your first single, “Angel.” What would you like listeners to take away from this song?
Maeve: Mostly I just want people to connect with it in whatever way that is. I obviously have my own idea of what I wanted to convey and the story I wanted to tell – but if someone was to feel something different in reaction to the song, that wouldn’t diminish the validity of how it made them feel. So I guess I just want people to take away whatever impacts them personally.
Connor: I want people to listen and let us know what they think. I hope we find some different interpretations and opinions to help us grow and flourish as a band.
It being the first music that many people will hear from you, did you have any major goals in mind for “Angel”?
Maeve: For me, I just wanted people to realize that when I say I’m in a band, I don’t mean that we just make noise in a garage as a hobby. I wanted people to understand that it’s actually a serious project. I think the main goal as a jumping-off point was just to get people to take us seriously.
Connor: Maeve was the one behind the meaning, so for me it was just about getting a song out there.
“Angel” comes from your upcoming debut EP, I Love You out this year. Can you tell us a little bit about the EP? What can listeners expect?
Maeve: I would say to not really expect anything specific, but to expect a lot. Our influences are all over the place and that definitely reflects. We don’t box ourselves in at all.
Connor: I want people to be ready to hear the culmination of all of our work, and be ready for what’s to come.
What has the writing and recording process been like for these songs?
Maeve: Normally writing starts with me laying down a lead line or some chords and building from there. I send everything to Connor as soon as it has any kind of structure or feeling so that he can add drums. After that we just kind of build off of the basic structure until we go into the studio and make it sound bigger and better.
When can listeners expect to hear some more new music from the upcoming EP?
Maeve: Soon! There will be a couple more things sprinkled before the EP which is set to come out this February.
Do you have any other big plans for the coming months and new year?
Maeve: Definitely! We have some shows coming up in the new year and we have a couple of things we’re scheming up for the near future.
Connor: One hundred percent! We are gonna start doing shows and we have a lot up our sleeves
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Maeve: Thanks for listening to what we had to say! And if you want to keep up with us you should check out our social media because there are definitely some cool things coming.
Connor: And if you haven’t checked out “Angel” yet, do it!!
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