Interview: Envy Of None
Musically, we all come from such diverse backgrounds that it's challenging to identify any direct influences on our sound.
Envy of None are a Canadian/American alternative rock supergroup who comprise of guitarist Alex Lifeson (Rush), bassist Andy Curran (Coney Hatch), vocalist Maiah Wynne and keyboardist/guitarist Alfio Annibalini and the band’s recently released new album Stygian Waves showcases their catchy and hypnotic music to great effect. Gavin Brown caught up with Envy Of None’s Alfio to get the lowdown on Stygian Waves and what the rest of the year holds for the band as well as discussing Rush and his favourite Canadian bands.
E&D: Stygian Waves was self-produced by the band, how was that experience for you?
Alfio: When we kicked off the first Envy of None album, we really embraced the chance to create in our own home studios. It was such a fun experience! We loved having the freedom to take our time, edit things just the way we wanted, and layer our ideas without any outside pressure. As we worked on this latest album, we felt just as comfortable self-producing, and it was great to see our artistic vision come to life in such an organic and enjoyable way.
E&D: Did you feel any pressure to follow up on your self-titled debut album?
Alfio: When we started working on our first album, we had no record label, no publisher, and no one outside of the band and our lawyer knew what we were doing. No one was paying attention to us at that time, which allowed us to craft our songs, develop our sound, and figure out how to work together. For this new record, everything was different. However, when you believe in the people involved and the music as we do, the only pressure we felt was the necessity to complete it.
E&D: What were the biggest inspirations both lyrically and musical on the new album?
Alfio: The record frequently explores themes of reflection and introspection. Hopefully, I’m not overstepping, but I believe our music creates a comfortable and cathartic space for Maiah to express herself lyrically. Musically, we all come from such diverse backgrounds that it’s challenging to identify any direct influences on our sound. Whenever I think a song resembles a certain band or artist, someone adds a track that takes it in a completely different direction.
E&D: What does the title of the album refer to?
Alfio: The name “Stygian Waves” is derived from the same quote by Ovid that inspired the name “Envy of None”. The term “Stygian Waves” refers to the turbulent waters at the gates of Hell, specifically on the river Styx, which unfortunately mirrors the challenges we are facing in our current times. Hopefully, we can navigate our way toward calmer waters.
E&D: Did you want to have a similarly striking album cover as you did for your first album?
Alfio: We all appreciate the iconic album covers of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. With that in mind, Andy discovered striking photographs by photographer Eli Rezkallah. One particular image caught everyone’s attention, and we all agreed it would make a fantastic album cover. Beech, from our label, suggested some brilliant packaging ideas and modified the photo to feature women holding pills. As the recording process began for the new album, Andy started searching for artwork early on. He found additional images of women with binoculars and a windmill, also captured by Eli. Once again, Beech showcased his creativity and crafted an incredible package. This artwork is perfect for the new record; it conveys a powerful image that draws you in. What we really love about Eli’s images is they all have the “X factor”, making you wonder…,.,what the heck is happening here and we like to think our music does the same, so it’s a perfect marriage!
E&D: You have brought out brilliant videos for the album tracks ‘Not Dead Yet’ and ‘Under the Stars’. Is the visual aspect of Envy of None very important to you?
Alfio: The visuals, whether it’s the album cover or the videos, are very important to us. We like to collaborate with people who understand our musical vision and can create visual elements that best represent it.
E&D: How has the new material been received so far?
Alfio: The feedback on the new album has been incredible! The reviews have been positive, and the buzz is growing stronger every day.
E&D: Have you had any thoughts about new material as yet?
Alfio: With our album set to release on March 28th, we often joke that we’ll start working on the next record the very next day, March 29th. In all seriousness, we are already discussing our future direction and what the next album might sound like.
E&D: What have you got plans for live dates now that Stygian Waves has been released?
Alfio: We have discussed performing live extensively and have even chosen the musicians we would like to collaborate with to bring our material to life. We also have a vision for the visual aspects of the performance and the types of venues we want to play in. However, we would like to wait for the fans’ response to the new record before moving forward, because there are a lot of moving parts and logistically it has to make sense for us to do it.
E&D: How did Envy of None start as a band in the first place?
Alfio: Andy and I had been writing songs together for years, but everything changed when he met Maiah through a song writing competition. After she sang on some of our music, we realized we had something special. Alex had played on some of the original songs before Maiah added her vocals, but when he heard her voice, he agreed that we should move forward and turn this into a project.
E&D: Were you a Rush fan before you joined the band and what are your favourite Rush albums?
Alfio: Yes, I was a huge Rush fan. I don’t think you could be a kid in Canada who loved rock and played guitar without loving Rush. My favourite albums are 2112, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, and Signals.
E&D: Who are some of your favourite ever Canadian bands?
Alfio: Off the top of my head, I would say Rush, Max Webster, StreetHeart, Tragically Hip, Coney Hatch, Metric, Big Wreck, I Mother Earth, Our Lady Peace, Arkells, Skinny Puppy, Red Rider, and Voivod (for which I co-produced the album Negatron).
E&D: Who are your biggest influences as a musician?
Alfio: I hope this list isn’t too lengthy, but to name a few of my favorite artists, I would say: Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, Talk Talk, Thin Lizzy, Pixies, David Bowie, AC/DC, Simple Minds, The Cure, and Gary Numan. However, these days, my biggest inspiration comes from my bandmates.
Photo by Richard Sibalt
