Shane Handal (Set and Setting)
SPB: There are a lot of stereotypes about post-rock. How do you approach genre and expectation when composing?
Handal: For whatever reason, post-rock sometimes has a negative stigma attached to it. Which is weird to me, because a lot of bands are proud to proclaim certain genres. Anyway, we never really felt like we've belonged in that genre, but because we are instrumental with long songs we get bunched in there. Maybe that's why bands don't like it? It puts us in a box full of stereotypes for listeners.
There are times when writing that I purposely try and dodge a more cliche "post-rock" opportunity either with a riff or melody, but most of the time it's not really a thought that crosses my mind. We try to write what comes out naturally, and there's rarely a thought of how we should write something because of stereotypes in any genre. When there is an expectation, we usually try and avoid that rather than give into it.
---
Photo by Ryan Zarra
