A Story Told
A Story Told might be one of my favorite discoveries and one of the best music I’ve heard lately.
“Rodeo” is perfect. It’s the only word I can find to describe this song. This song has the length it deserved. Those 4 minutes make the song timeless and that’s all I was hoping for.
It’s a band I’d love to see live for sure and I’m hoping to see them somewhere in Europe very soon.
Their new album Mundane Magic will be released next month but for now, let’s stream ”Rodeo” , now available everywhere.
Photo credit: Casey Hardman
Introduce yourself - what's the story of A Story Told?
Hi! We’re Alex, Josh, and Jason and we make up the band A Story Told. We are a pop rock act originally formed in Charleston, West Virginia, and are gearing up to release our fourth full-length record “Mundane Magic” this fall.
"Rodeo" is your new single - what's the inspiration behind this song?
Like the question “What advice would you give your younger self?”, Rodeo is a self-reflective narrative to the younger/more naive “you” and the things that used to occupy your time and energy. Pain is Gain. Accepting your flaws and past mistakes is wildly better than running from them and closing the door on who you used to be.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this single? Who helped you create it? When did you start working on it?
“Rodeo” was actually one of the first songs we wrote for the record. And almost immediately we knew it was going to be the last track on the record. With this record, we have been leaning into combining really organic and timeless instrumentation like strings and brass with the new wave of synthesizers and electronic production. This song is a great representation of that. Like the rest of the album, this song was self-produced and self-written.
What's your favorite lyric on "Rodeo"?
“I saw it all in a dream. My world through a door that I couldn't reach. If I told you what it was it would disappear.”
What made you want to release "Rodeo" as a single?
If we could sum up this record in one track, it would be “Rodeo.” Not necessarily sonically, but the overall theme of the record. We really wanted to release this track prior to the album release to give a preview as to what is to come.
What can you tell us about your upcoming album Mundane Magic?
Mundane Magic is probably the most focused collection of songs we have ever put together. And the truest representation of where we are at both professionally and personally. This being our fourth full length record, we put a lot of thought into how we continue to create music that is fresh and exciting. While also maintaining the spirit of our previous releases. I think we have unlocked something unique and special and definitely showcases how we have matured both as artists and as people.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
The music industry is, and honestly always has been, a tricky place to navigate. I think just the fact that artists can independently be successful should be super encouraging and motivating. And I think that’s why we are seeing so much great new music come out because there are way less barriers to entry and way less people telling you what is “cool” and what you need to do to become successful. Labels are great, but sometimes they just aren’t the right fit for an artist and honestly everyone involved. And that’s okay! This shouldn’t be an indicator of success or the ultimate goal. I think it’s all about the music right now and it’s super refreshing and inspiring. There are so many tools at an artist’s disposal that it can definitely feel overwhelming at times, but I think as long as you start somewhere and don’t lose sight of what you are trying to do, anything is possible.
What's the best thing about being in a band? How do you complete each other?
I think just having a dedicated space as friends to come together and be creative is the best part of being in a band. We always say that we are songwriters before we are a “band” and it’s great to have something that specifically serves as an antenna for what’s going on in our heads to be transmitted to the ears of listeners. We are fortunate enough to have thousands of people on the receiving end and don’t take that lightly. Actually creating these connections and people finding meaning in what we do is something that truly means the world.
What advice would you give to anyone who'd like to form a band?
Don’t get caught up and stressed out on trends, whether that be sonically or strategically. Create art that you enjoy and you’ll feel so much better about all of the time and effort you will ultimately invest in your project. As long as you are authentic and genuine, everything else will fall into place as it was supposed to. It might take a minute for things to click, but the journey is half the fun.
Could you list a few records that influenced the music you are making today?
I think we were definitely aiming for a more “timeless” feel for this record, so we were really influenced by albums that fall into this category, as well as modern records that we feel will live on forever. Albums like (What’s the Story?) Morning Glory by Oasis and Parachutes by Coldplay. But also every Taylor Swift record.
What biggest lessons have you learned since the beginning of your career?
There is no one right way of doing something. Just because it worked for someone else, doesn’t mean it will work for you. And don't compare yourself to others. It's important to stay true to yourself and the message you are trying to convey. Everything else is just noise.
What is the proudest moment of your career thus far?
Honestly, I think the longevity of this project and that we have done it completely independently is what we have the most pride in. We have never let the “industry,” whether it be the business side of things or what was trendy at the time, dictate the art we produce. We can honestly look back and are proud of every moment because it is a true snapshot of who we were at the time.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Not to sound cliche, but just the acceptance of others. Everyone is just trying to make it through this thing called life alive. Let’s not make it harder than it has to be.
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