A Skylit drive on Wires and the Concept of Breathing

Tag : Lead Wires

Noteworthy and highly talented are only a few ways of describing ASkylit Drive and their all but subtle entrance onto the hardcoremusic scene. With debut album “Wires and The Concept ofBreathing,” released in May 2008, this California bandisn’t wasting time in proving themselves; their musicianshipshows through every chord of every verse. So what’s next forthese guys? Well, we were able to have a one-on-one chat with leadsinger Michael “Jag” Jagmin to get the lowdown on whatthey’ve been up to.
A Skylit Drive is Jagmin, drummer/vocalist Cory La Quay, guitaristNick Miller, keyboardist/synthesizer Kyle Simmons, bassist/vocalistBrian White, and guitarist Joey Wilson. This sextet came togetheronly in this past year when Jagmin replaced former lead singerJordan Blake during the writing process of “Wires....”“I wrote them on MySpace when I found out that they werelooking for a new singer and when they wrote me back, I flew up foran audition. Things just worked out really well during the firstpractice, so two weeks later I moved out to where they lived sothat I could be closer to them, and it’d be easier topractice, and write for the new album as well,” says Jagmin.
When Jagmin joined, the band had already finished the instrumentalrecording of the album, so only Jagmin’s vocals were neededto seal the record. “When I came in we flew out to NorthCarolina [to finish recording the album] and we had to write all ofthe vocals while we were there. I’d go into the vocal boothand do two songs that day and then go to our motel and write twomore songs. Then go in the next morning, sing those two and go backto the motel and write two more. So it was like that the wholetime. It was pretty rigorous for it being the first time that I wassinging my ideas in the vocal booth,” says Jagmin.
Though the writing process was somewhat intense for the guys,especially with Jagmin being the new member and having to learn howto write with the rest of the guys, the end result made everythingworth it. “Wires and the Concept of Breathing” isjam-packed with high energy songs, intense screaming and soothingvocal melodies, and riff twist and turns that will surely stick inyour head for days, if not weeks. Songs like “Eris andDysnomia” and single, “Knights of the Round” willmake you kick the rest of your post-hardcore albums aside to makeroom for your new favorite band. Honestly, no other CD sounds like“Wires... “
“If I heard something of ours that sounded too much likesomething else, it would bother me and I’d say, ‘I wishwe would’ve done this differently because it sounds too muchlike them.’ But every time I hear our album I don’thear anything that sounds like anyone else,” says Jagmin.Agreed.
So what’s the meaning behind the album? “[‘Wiresand the Concept of Breathing’] is symbolism for someonebreaking free of whatever was holding them down from beingthemselves. Wires symbolize whatever imaginary thing it is thatmakes a person feel like they can’t do what they want to do,whether it be them feeling embraced or scared to do so,” saysJagmin. From the writing of “Wires and the Concept ofBreathing” to its release in May 2008 to the guys’nonstop touring schedule, A Skylit Drive has grown as individualsand a unit together. “Musically, everything has grown somuch. We’re better musicians now and everyone works on such abetter level than I imagined that they used to,” says Jagmin
A Skylit Drive co-headlined with Sky Eats Airplane last Thursday atXtreme Wheels.
Check out A Skylit Drive at www.myspace.com/askylitdrive
Marli Lee McGarrah will be a senior at Buffalo Seminary.