Yellowbird Mantra consists of songwriter Eben Wares and his friends. Wares began the project as an outline away from the pop music he was creating. While pop melodies still remain, Wares fixates on song subjects from his heart. This results in passionate, honest, and extremely sad song concepts mixed with clean acoustic guitar accompaniment. Yellowbird Mantra’s debut full length New England Weather is now out on TDR Records. Check out Bad News below!
We managed to catch up with Eben as he talks about their latest album and more!
So how has the release of New England Weather gone down with fans so far?
It seems to be going well. It’s been nice to hear from people I hadn’t heard from in a quite a bit who responded positively to the album.
What’s your favourite track from the release?
I think the answer you hear most to this is that “it changes everyday”. While that is true, I really was happy with the way Introduction and Trademark came out. Introduction obviously opens up the album and Trademark closes the album out. Both tracks leave the acoustic guitar behind and try something different so to me I favor them. The words from those songs also likely have my favorite stand alone lyrics. Plus, my father always said middle children were forgotten about.
Can you tell us something about the album no one else knows?
I decided to record it because I was incredibly depressed and needed something in my life I could control. I was really lucky to have some friends step in and help out for next to no pay. When it was complete I was really proud. I told myself if no one ever liked it, I really didn’t care because I liked it. I write a lot of music for other people. Whether I have an artist in mind I would like to pitch it to or a general audience in mind I would like to listen to it, it doesn’t always feel like its entirely for me. This on is.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
She isn’t a band, but Norah Jones. She has always been a favorite of mine and a big influence on the YBM album. She has a beautiful way with melody/lyrics and I just think it would be a ton of fun.
What’s the music scene like in LA at the moment?
I don’t think I’m the best person to answer that as I am just kinda stepping back into it. People do love music in this city. They will go to shows especially if the artist or venue has a good reputation. There is so much competition because there is so much talent. The one thing I have noticed is if you want to play you can find places to do it and people to do it with.
How have the people at TDR Records made you the band you are today?
I think TDR is the only reason we are a band today. Mike Hollins has supported me musically and emotionally for a very long time haha. I called him with the idea of doing a Yellowbird Mantra full length after I had so much fun with our free EP “Sleep Well”. If he didn’t respond so positively to the idea, I don’t think I would have had the courage to do it.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I fainted when I was in 5th grade at a punk rock music festival (1999) called “Radio 104 Fest”. But I don’t count that. I caught New Found Glory, Good Charlotte, Less Than Jake, and Hot Rod Circuit a few years later in a sold out arena and that kicked ass. To see punk bands play in front of that many people was nuts. The first real show I went to was when I was in 9th grade. It was a sweaty club and it was to see this band Mest in late 2004 and they played with Hawthorne Heights, Bayside and my soon to be favorite band Punchline. Punchline ripped. They opened the show and during there set I decided I was gonna be in a real band that didn’t just cover Blink 182.
How pumped are you for your release show at Hotel Cafe?
I am nervous! It only fits like 90 people and I know I’m gonna know everyone there. The set is sounding good though so that positive. It will be fun and the time up there will fly by.