SnoCore Preview: Flyleaf’s Pat Seals on New Music, Band’s Evolution

Adam Reynoso ’15 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

Rock band Flyleaf is set to headline the SnoCore Tour, and Emertainment Monthly was lucky enough to chat with bassist Pat Seals ahead of their performance this month in Manchester. Seals reflected on the band’s roots and talked about their beginnings in Texas. He also spoke about the band’s new lead vocals and what it’s been like touring with her, as well as making their new album.

What was it like starting out in the Texas music scene?

In the first couple of years, it was kind of a vibrant scene in Dallas and Austin and a lot of bands writing a lot of original material. I feel like it’s kind of disappeared in the way that it was. At that time, in the early 2000’s, there was a lot of hard rock blending together.

How has the music evolved since the band began?

At the beginning, you don’t know how to do it. You just learn as you go. I think that process is different with the new Flyleaf. With Kristen, we begin to write our songs more spontaneously. A lot of Between the Stars was written with us sitting in a room, just coming up with an idea. I think we got some really good results. The old way would be a person bringing in a big idea or skeleton and then us picking that a part.

How has it been since the band changed lead singers?

Getting Kristen May, it’s definitely been a journey, but a good journey. I think this upcoming tour in February will be our third or fourth tour with her and making Between the Stars with her has been great.

How is the dynamic between the band?

It’s a family dynamic. The people you spend your life with, even who you work with, they end up being your family in a way. Not every family is perfect all the time, but we love each other. And with the addition of Kristen, it’s been a lot of fun, a lot more smiling. She gets us to do things, like dress up like Star Wars at a show on Halloween. She’s a bright person who is full of light. It’s cool to share a stage and career with that kind of person.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLGH0H4Vr6Y

What really inspired you guys with this album?

With the spontaneity, the things that got the songs going was the single lines. Personal experience had a lot to do with it and moments ofvulnerability. Between the Stars is really about relationships and how we relate to one another. Not just between lovers, but in all relationships.

How has the bigger web presence in music helped you reach out to fans?

Pledgemusic.com gave us a platform to really help us give our fans what they wanted. It was inspiring to know that people could go and support their favorite band and be a part of the process.

Where do you think the rock genre is now compared to when you guys started out?

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but it seems like the kids aren’t into guitars, which I don’t think is necessarily an awful thing. I think music is more important than genre. I imagine rock will have another resurgence. When you look at music history, everyone cycles around.

What has been your favorite moment with the band? 

We got to play the Download Festival in the UK in 2009, I wanna say. I just remember looking out from the stage, you couldn’t see the end of the people. It was like an ocean of people, I just remember thinking, “Wow, we get to play for all these people.”

Catch Flyleaf playing at Jewel Nightclub for SnoCore in Manchester, NH on February 7th.