Interviews About Albums: Ways - Are We Still Alive? (2024)

In this new interview, we sat down with the French Post-Hardcore/Alternative Metal band Ways to ask questions about their album "Are We Still Alive?". 

1. What can you say about this new EP/CD?

Nico: We started work on this EP during Covid. We had to learn to work remotely to progress with the composition and arrangement of the songs. We composed a lot of songs, but over time and with the line-up changes, we only kept a few. The composition phase took a little longer than usual. We really wanted to ensure that each new member of the band could bring his or her own universe and ideas to the table. We started working with Nicolas Exposito (Landmvrks) on the EP's prods. Nicolas produced 3 tracks on the EP, and due to time constraints, we ended up working with Robin from Resolve. We really like Landmvrks and Resolve, and we're very happy to have been able to work with two members of these bands on the prods for our new EP.

2. What is the meaning of the EP/CD name?

Nico: "Are we still alive?" is a question we've regularly asked ourselves about the band's situation over the last three years. Between the two years of the COVID crisis that prevented us from seeing each other, rehearsing, and playing live, the line-up changes and certain life changes for some of the band members that have impacted the way we work, compose, and record, we've spent a lot of time hanging on and finding solutions to keep going. We're proud to be here and to be releasing this new EP. Of course, the various themes addressed by the songs on this EP are also consistent with this question.

3. Which one is the composer of the CD/EP?

Nico: Bruno and I composed all the songs. Then the arrival of Anthony and Etienne gave the songs a radical makeover.

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

Nico: It's not a simple question. Each song has its own atmosphere and soul. I really like all of them, but if I had to choose one, I'd say World Worn Out. It's our latest single and brings together a lot of the things we love about music. It's edgy, melodic, and groovy all at the same time.

5. Is there a special message in this EP/CD? If there is what it is?

Nico: It's a two-way message. First, it's a message about our situation. We've been around for a while, and despite all the good things we've done, we've had a hell of a lot of hard times. We've clearly spent an inordinate amount of time adapting and finding solutions to keep us going and moving forward. When Covid came along, we had 2 very complicated years, and we asked ourselves several times: are we still alive as a group? Do we still want to go even further? Clearly, yes.

And it's also a message about our world, our society, and our relationship with each other and with other species living on this planet.

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

Nico: Yes, there's a passage at the end of the track "Why Do We Fall?

In hell, where I fell, I can walk, I must try to believe in this lifeless world. Right around you, a sliver among the flames, all around me, There's someone to save me.

"Why do we fall?" is the story of a person living in a ruined world, who is a spectator and victim of the hatred that surrounds him. But despite this darkness, time gradually erases the hurts and sorrows and allows him to move on to a brighter future.

It's the first song we've written that ends on a note of hope.

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

Nico: Our main inspirations when writing the first songs were bands that Bruno and I really love. Bands like Counterparts, The Ghost Inside, Poison The Well, and Norma Jean. Then, as time went by, arrangements were made, and passages were added or removed from the songs, everything evolved. But yes, we are very much influenced by these bands in our creative approach.

First of all, we'd like to thank our friends and family, for whom our day-to-day lives are not always easy, given our busy schedules. Between rehearsals, recordings, video shoots, communication work, and concerts, it's quite something! And of course, we'd like to thank all the people and media who support us, discover us, come and see us in concert, and share our music. You are clearly our strength.

8. Something to add?

Nico: Thank you very much for your questions and for your interest in our project. Thank you for your work in the Metal scene. Let's all work together to support local bands, listen to their music, go to concerts, share, like and comment on their content on the networks. It's us, all together, who contribute to keeping this scene alive. We love you.