Source: Promo Image/ Facebook
In modern day rock music, it’s not unusual to find a variety of subgenres mixed together to create cross-over music, and The Royal are one of those bands. Their first label record came out in March this year via Long Branch Records called Seven after self-releasing their EP Origins in 2012 and their first full-length record in 2014 called Dreamcatchers. Since their inception, they’ve supported bands like Architects and played the Impericon Festival so it’s only a matter of time before they move further.
We had a chat with JD Liefting to find out more about their lyric writing process.
Mosh: How does the lyric writing process begin for you – Does the music come first, or the lyrics? Do you collect fragments and ideas when inspiration strikes?
JD: Yes, the music always comes first. We do however know what stuff we sort of want to write about, what kind of subjects we feel we want to discuss and stuff. And mostly we just need a couple of solid lines and just roll on from there. Lyrics are easy for us.
Mosh: Is this process always straightforward for you? Have you ever struggled with ‘writer’s block’ or similar?
JD: I think everyone has writer’s block once in a while. And writing an album is never a walk in the park but that’s more related to the music I guess. Lyrics seem to always flow.
Mosh: Do you go back to lyrics you have previously written and edit or refine them, or is it a case of ‘one and done’? Do you collaborate or share lyrics with other band members and take their feedback on board?
JD: Yes, most of the time the first draft is not the final idea. When you sit on it for a while you get better ideas and better flows or rhymes and stuff. We don’t really throw the lyrics in the group to discuss because for some reason we are just on the same page.
Mosh: Are there any bands or artists that have impressed or inspired you lyrically? Do you try and emulate any other lyricists in particular?
JD: I think every artist is influenced by the artists they listen to in some way. But we never have to look at other bands for ideas or stuff. We just say what we want to say. Our lyrics are very metaphorical and what we do is we kind of package what we want to say into a particular scene or whatever. Something you can envision instead of just words you read. It gives your message an extra dimension.
Mosh: Do you draw lyrical inspiration from outside of music, such as authors, films or artists?
JD: For sure. We watch a lot of documentaries and read up on a lot of subjects and that inspires us if we feel the need to emphasize that particular subject.
Mosh: Is there a specific space (mental or physical) where you get ‘in the zone’, or can you write anywhere at any time?
JD: Whenever I write lyrics I need to let my mind wander into the particular direction and just recycle words and sentences. But I could do it anywhere.
Mosh: Do you choose to publish your lyrics or keep them personal? Is it important that fans are able to access lyrical content?
JD: Hell yes. We want our fans to read our lyrics and ask questions about it. It’s 50% of what we do and it is very important to us. We gave our music meaning and we want to discuss the content.
Mosh: Can you remember when you began writing lyrics? Was it a conscious choice? Something you drifted into out of necessity?
JD: Good question though. I can’t really remember. Music has been my only outlet for years and it’s just the most natural way for me to express myself.
Mosh: What is your favourite lyric and why?
JD: I really dig the stuff August Burns Red does. Stuff like “You won’t ever fly fast enough to make time stand still”. I guess it speaks for itself but it’s an important sentence. Be in the now, make the most of your time you know. It’s important.
Mosh: What is your favourite lyric that YOU have written?
JD: We just released the title track to our upcoming record Seven. With that song, we try to stir things up and make you reevaluate your life. Are you truly yourself? Are you an honest to yourself? Or are you just living a life within the boundaries of society? The most important line in the song is “Question your reality” That basically sums it up for the whole record. Think about it. Don’t just take it for granted.
Mosh: Is there anything you actively try and avoid when writing lyrics? Any topics or themes you think are overdone?
JD: Theres no such thing as overdone topics. You can’t decide what people should talk about. The metal scene is one of the few scenes where it is okay to openly speak your mind. And if anyone feels that way than I really
Mosh: Is it important to you that lyrics always tell a story or have meaning?
JD: For us, yes. Our music has never been superficial. We have a voice through what we do and we tend to use it in every way possible. It is important to us.
Mosh: Does your knowledge of your vocal delivery have any impact on how you write lyrics? Do you write to fit a vocal style, or fit the delivery to the lyrics?
JD: Lyrics always come first and then I use my vocal and delivery to empower that. Some stuff needs to be emphasized so I might do double layers. Some stuff needs to be clearer so I don’t go full force on those parts.
