Interview with Future of Forestry: the Story Behind their New Album "Pages"

By Timothy Yap Apr 24, 2015 06:42 PM EDT

Eric Owyoung and Nick Maybury, both formerly of Something Like Silas, started Future of Forestry in 2005 with Luke Floeter and Spencer Kim. Since then, the band has been a constant on the West Coast scene, securing fans from their hometown to Seattle and everywhere in between. To the surprise of fans, they have recently released "Pages" without much prior promotion. We are honored to be able to chat with Eric for this exclusive interview.

Hallels: Eric, congratulations on the release of "Pages." The album's release was a surprise to many of us, was this intention, to release your album as a surprise?

Yes and no. Things have been changing so fast that promoting each album is never the same. I had brainstormed all these ideas for this one. In the end, it just didn't seem right. Promoting it at all before the album was out just didn't feel right. I just wanted to release it to the fans and let them take care of it. It ended up being a lot of fun that way too!

Hallels: In your press release you said this album is different from your previous albums. Besides being released as a surprise, how is this album different?

I've been known for creating very layered and textured musical palettes, using lots of instruments, and creating complex rhythms and melodies to orchestrate my songs. This album was the antithesis of that approach. This album was an endeavor to use the least amount of tracks as possible yet still really carry the message of the song. It ended up being very simple, very straight to the point, and in the end, more transparent and emotionally available than anything I've done.

Hallels: There's just so much poetry and metaphors in each of the songs that the songs are just gorgeous. How much of the songs are autobiographical of your own life? And which song would you say reflects your own life most meaningfully?

Yes, this album is autobiographical. My other albums are as well, but this one seems to communicate that more clearly and simply. I think the listener gets past all the music and straight to the experience. At least that's what I feel in the songs. The songs really do capture a season of discovering a deeper love. I call it long suffering love. But that phrase means something to me that it might not mean to other people. To other's it might mean loving someone in spite of who they are. To me, it means a journey into a deeper and more committal love, one in which we depart from Hollywood romance and enter into a life of understanding, of patience, of enduring together. I've barely scratched the surface, but I know what I know now. I know that what I've begun to experience is more meaningful that it has ever been in the past.

Hallels: Why did you cover Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," that was a surprisingly good cover. But why Lauper's "Time After Time"?

It's funny, but the real answer in the beginning was that I have always just loved the song and wanted an excuse to cover it. I was pretty amazed at how it fit so well thematically. It felt a bit serendipitous.

Hallels: Is there a single released to radio yet from the album? Which song would it be?

Not yet. But the song "Fireflies" has a catchy sound for radio.

Hallels: In what ways are you guys promoting this album? Are you already incorporating some of the new songs in your live performances now?

I've actually taken touring off for an undetermined time. If I was touring, I would not have experienced growing closer to my wife or kids in the same way these past few years. Being home is just the right thing for now.