By Nicholas Jason Lopez
Indiana-based metalcore outfit Chasing Apparitions have officially released the lyric video for their new track “Memento Mori,” which serves as the final single from their upcoming EP ‘Am I Worth Saving?’
The group recorded ‘Am I Worth Saving?’ with Jonathan Dolese at Konkrete Studios with an emphasis on heavy riffs and emotional lyricism, a sign of maturity from their debut 2016 EP ‘The Hedonist.’
Chasing Apparitions is Josey Stines, Jacob Ortengren and Justin Stubbs.
The Music Bugle had the chance to chat with Stines about “Memento Mori” and more.
Music Bugle – How have you been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Josey Stines – COVID-19 hasn’t affected us as hard as it’s affected other people due to the fact that Chasing Apparitions doesn’t tour.
Music Bugle – What has been the most productive thing you’ve done while in quarantine?
Josey Stines – Chasing Apparitions has started to write music for our 2021 release, so you’ll have consistent music coming from us.
Music Bugle – What do you miss the most about performing in front of a live audience?
Josey Stines – I miss having the kids screaming back at me and getting sweaty and jumping into the crowd. Just the energy in the room.
Music Bugle – If you had the chance to go back to this past New Year’s Eve, what would you tell yourself about 2020?
Josey Stines – “Save as much money as you can, you’ll need it.”
Music Bugle – What excites you the most about metalcore music?
Josey Stines – The energy, the emotion.
Music Bugle – What inspired you to write “Memento Mori”?
Josey Stines – In Latin there’s a saying, “Memento Mori” or in the literal English translation, “Remember, you will die.” In early Imperial Rome, when an Emperor or General would return to Rome after a successful campaign – military or political, he would cruise the streets on a chariot surrounded with an ecstatic, applauding crowd. Behind him, on the chariot, a man was constantly whispering to him, “Memento Mori.” This was a rule and not a random event. Its reason – to remind the hero that his life was just like everyone else and to maintain the current success, he had to be humble, honest and useful to the people of Rome and the Empire. This song is about me struggling to cope with my own mortality and my thoughts about it.
Music Bugle – Does social media make it easier or harder for a band to stand out these days?
Josey Stines – This is a tough question because some bands are just people having a hobby and for them, it’s harder for them to be noticed due to the amount of other bands that are all trying to fight for the person to listen to them, but on the other hand, if you do take yourself seriously and you do work for it, there’s such a huge potential if you can leverage social media.
Music Bugle – How did you guys get your name?
Josey Stines – Chasing Apparitions was originally something I saw on Tumblr a long time ago. I fell in love with the name and the meaning to me is like you’re chasing something that is just out of reach.
Music Bugle – Out of all the merchandise you guys sell, which one is your personal favorite?
Josey Stines – I really love our “Ritual” t-shirt. I love that aesthetic and to me, it really looks like something Blackcraft Cult would make.
Music Bugle – What was the process like making your sophomore EP ‘Am I Worth Saving’?
Josey Stines – There are two parts to our writing process. Typically, Jacob and I will send instrumental files back and forth, slowly piecing together the songs. Once we’re done, I will go and talk to Justin about where I think the songs should go lyrically and what I would like for the songs to be about. The instrumentals are almost always done before Justin hears them for the first time.
