Earlier this year, US emo mathcore quintet Kaonashi released their debut album Dear Lemon House, You Ruined Me: Senior Year, a follow-up to their concept EP Why Did You Do It?. Ahead of the record, the band shared their chaotic single An Evening of Moving Pictures With Scooter Corkle, which re-introduced androgynous protagonist Jamie, alongside characters Morgan and Casey, showing their personalities intertwine. We caught up with drummer Ryan Paolilli to find out more about the single and accompanying music video, from the writing process, themes and stories from behind the scenes.
Can you give us your quick elevator pitch on this track? Why does this one standout for you?
It’s fun, fast paced, catchy, short (for us haha), jammed packed with all Kaonashi elements fit into a rock song. I think it stands out because of all those, plus it’s extremely misleading for the album if that’s all you’ve heard.
How did you tackle the writing process for the song? Was there anything unique about this track compared to your usual/previous approach?
This was the first track, I believe, that we fully completed for DLHYRM:SY. We wrote this record together in a cabin in Phillips, Maine back in October 2019. Not just this song, but the whole album, what’s a whole new experience for us and we really got to express ourselves.
Can you tell us how the song’s theme came about?
I (Pao) wanted to write a post-hardcore track filled with jazz fusion elements, but it ended up being what it is now from all of us contributing. As for the theme lyrically, we wanted to set a general tone and idea for the album, that can still be relatable outside of the concept.
Tell us about the video, do the themes of the single transfer to the video?
The video was shot this year, with Jesse Korman and his amazing crew! Absolutely, but the video is also a nod to WDYDI at the same time, giving more depth to the lore from before and now.
Do you have any behind the scenes stories from the video shoot?
We tried to incorporate a lot of spots and places that were personal to us. All of it was filmed in Philly, specifically at/around our home and Rittenhouse Square. It all happened so quick, everyone worked so hard and fast, and it was incredible to get to work with Jesse Korman from The Number 12 Looks Like You, and having him bring our vision to life
Anything else you’d like to add for our readers?
Thank you everyone who has checked out the new record, shared a song, bought a t-shirt, liked an Instagram post, and supported us in any which way. If you haven’t heard us before or peeped the new album, just listen. And remember, always be yourself because you can never do that wrong.
Kaonashi‘s debut album Dear Lemon House, You Ruined Me: Senior Year is out now via Equal Vision Records/Unbeaten Records (USA) and Rude Records (Europe), available to stream or purchase HERE.
