A Conversation with Forestlike
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Forestlike is an indie-folk duo from Indiana made up of lifelong friends Jared Myers (Daytime Volume) and Joshua Wayne Hensley (The Rutabega).
What initially sparked your interest in pursuing a career in the arts for those who may not be familiar with your background?
JWH: Music is something that we have both always been drawn to. Making things with your friends is so fun, but it’s also something we’ve taken seriously and made time for since we first met and began collaborating in the late 90s.
The word “hobby” feels reductive, but I also wouldn’t say our focus is on making music a career per se. We just want to stay inspired and keep making music together. If others get something from our music, that is the icing on the cake.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest single?
JM: I had some health complications going on that were weighing heavily on my mind. ‘Sinking Stone’ came out of that as a sort of reminder to myself to make the time I have here count.
What themes or emotions are explored in this song?
JWH: Building on what Jared said, I also feel like ‘Sinking Stone’ helps me to feel like there is a way forward. Knowing Jared for so many years, I can hear so much of who he is in the lyrics. For me the ending is a bit like opening a door to a brighter room.
How does this single fit into the larger narrative of your music career or your upcoming projects?
JM: This song is pretty calm, and even though some of our other songs aren’t as laid back it felt like a good way to introduce the band and our first album. It’s easy for both of us to get caught up in a project or our anxieties, so it’s a helpful reminder to take things slowly and keep breathing.
Could you describe the creative process behind this single, from concept to production?
JM: I had the first half written, but it didn’t feel finished. Josh wrote the ending after I sent him what I had written, and we worked together to marry the two sections. This was one that we were able to work on in person before lockdown, although the mix didn’t come together till later. I added the mellotron and orchestral parts as an idea that I assumed we would replace, but we both ended up feeling like those parts needed to stay.
What can listeners expect to experience or feel when they listen to this track?
JWH: That’s really up to them, but we hope it is comforting in some way. Life feels so fast paced these days, so we would love if this song helps people to feel more in the moment when they listen.
Are there any interesting stories or anecdotes from the recording or writing of this song that you’d like to share?
JM: We were able to meet up with Nathanael Trimboli (Videographica) at some of our favorite local parks last June to work on a video for ‘Sinking Stone.’ That was the first day that Josh and I were able to play music together in person since 2020, and we were very grateful that Nathaneal was there to capture that on video.
As an artist, can you identify three key traits that define you?
JWH: Patient, melodic, and committed to what’s best for the song.
What can we anticipate in terms of your upcoming projects?
JM: We are planning to work on a couple more videos for songs from this album and possibly play some small outdoor concerts in the spring. After that we will start working on the next record as we both have several new songs in the works.
Where can our readers find additional information about you and your work?
JWH: Our self-titled debut album is out now on all streaming platforms, with downloads and limited-edition vinyl available on Bandcamp. All those links can be found at soundslikeforestlike.com
Thank you!