Cape Crush spent some time answering our questions about their music and we love it! Let’s see what they have to say!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
I (Ali) had been toying around with starting a band for a couple years. I had a bunch of songs in the backlog that I wanted to release, but after self recording and releasing a collection in 2015, was insistent that I have them produced by someone who could be a second brain for me. That person ended up being James. James and I grew up 10 minutes from each other listening to the same bands and frequenting the same haunts, but for some reason our lives never intersected until 2021 when I had a love affair with his other band Kitner. We started putting together the songs that would become the first Cape Crush EP in the winter of 2022 and quickly added in our mutual friend Cody Rico on drums, and then Jake Letizia on bass shortly thereafter. The name Cape Crush comes from James – but it refers to living on Cape Ann in the North Shore of Massachusetts – and loving it, I suppose.
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
I (Ali) have been songwriting since my late teens under the moniker Brown Lights. It was a personal and therapeutic project – especially when I was home with my children in my early 20’s. Not only was I a young mom, but I lost my mom around that same time. Songwriting helped me find my way through grief and change.
Our other members are far more accomplished than me. Our friendships and my fandom of them go back over a decade. Jake and I met studying music at UMass Lowell where he played in bands like Lessener and reveries. Cody played in local legends Matahari and Vaulted. James played in beloved hardcore band, the Effort, and still plays in Kitner, Choke Up, and the Promised End.
We have all toured and played on the DIY circuit for many years all over the globe. Cape Crush is a culmination of that experience – both the joy of it and the battle scars.
How would you describe your sound?
Power-pop that is grounded in classic emo
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
The Weakerthans definitely as well as bands like the Promise Ring, and the Get Up Kids.
For me (Ali) personally, my biggest songwriting influences are John K Samson, Laura Stevenson, Pinegrove, Hop Along, the Weepies, and Limbeck.
Weakerthans for me (Cody) as well. Was lucky to see them live a few times before they called it a day. Death Cab, Jets to Brazil and Piebald all come to mind as well. Mostly played in heavier technical bands so it’s really fun to sit in the pocket and really lock in the drums with the bass.
For me (James) I come from punk and hardcore but my favorite bands that continue to inspire me to write this kind of music are the Weakerthans, The Get Up Kids, Limbeck and Jets to Brazil.
For me (Jake) I also come from playing in a slew of heavier projects. Some of my all time favorites, especially when it comes to bass, are The Promise Ring, Pedro the Lion, and The Sidekicks.
What’s the last song you listened to?
I (Ali) have been listening to Thanks but No Thanks by Can’t Swim for the past 2 weeks. It’s so good.
Cody- Feed The Pain by Lost Balloons
James- Not gonna lie, I have also been listening to the Can’t Swim “thanks but not thanks” record on repeat.
I (Jake) have been listening to the new Kind Being tracks a bunch, but there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t put at least one song from The Beths “Expert in a Dying Field” on in the car, as my partner can definitely attest to.
What’s your source for hearing new music?
Ali: Mostly Spotify and social media these days. I love looking at who is on tour posters for bands I like and looking them up. I’m pretty obsessive about finding up and coming music because it’s exciting. I live vicariously through their momentum.
I (Cody) book a lot of smaller shows in the Boston area so a lot of the new music I get into is seeing it live sometimes before the music is even released. Otherwise I carry DJ spotify to look up bands while I’m record shopping.
I (James) also like to pay attention to who’s playing with who when the bands I like announce tours. I think we are in a pretty killer age right now for punk/hardcore/emo adjacent music. Lots of unique bands and mixed bills so you can go see a hardcore band and come to find out that new indie band everyone’s talking about is also playing.
I (Jake) am lucky enough to have a gaggle of group chats that help tap me into a lot of gigs I simply can’t miss. In the before times, I made it a challenge to go to 200+ shows during multiple years, and it was a blast. I’ve slowed down a bit upon re-entry, but often find success just perusing the show calendar in the bathroom at venues. Whoever thought of implementing that feature, good on you.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
I (Ali) don’t think I would choose collaborating with anyone over James. He has a super power for taking a folk song and turning it into an anthem. It’s one of the most natural and exciting gifts I have ever come across.
James – Ali
This is definitely a tough one. If I (Jake) had the chance to collaborate on producing a track with someone who is actively creating, I think it would be awesome to work with Saba. As far as sitting in on a session, I’d love to write with the gang in Kidcrash or with Pele (the band).
I (Cody) have already thought of playing in a band as collaboration so If I really wanted to do something out of the zone of things I’ve done I’d go with someone like DJ Shadow to do something in the electronic aspect of things.
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
My (Ali) mom used to say I was singing in the crib before I could talk – so I’m sure some of this is just my nature, but I did have good influences that encouraged me to dig into my love of music as a youth. Most influential for me was going to all-ages shows at the Fishtown Artspace in Gloucester. That was the first place I felt that sense of belonging that all young people crave. I still chase that, and I think that feeling of musical energy and community does really motivate me to participate. I never thought that I’d still be writing songs at 32, but it’s still important to me. It’s how I explore my feelings and look for closure.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it come together?
The songs begin with an idea from me (Ali). I usually find something on the guitar that I like and begin piecing together melody and then lyrics. Sometimes I feel like songs are delivered to me from the universe like a gift, and other times it’s a bit more work getting it out. Once the basic structure is there, James and I work on the arrangement – the guitar layers and harmonies. Then we put it together live with Jake and Cody. This is where it begins to take on its life as a song.
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
You can find us wherever you social your medias.
What’s next for you?
We’re super excited for our run of shows that support the release of our EP on 4/14/23. We have some exciting (and secret so far) events coming up this summer, and then I hope we’ll be back in the studio in the fall to record LP1!
Bio:
Cape Crush is a power-pop/emo band hailing from the North Shore of Massachusetts. The band consists of scene-veterans Ali Lipman on guitar and vocals, James Christopher on guitar, Jake Letizia on bass, and Cody Rico on drums.
