Another Lost Year have just released their sophomore full-length album. The newcomer from the US are determined to take it all the way and become more known to the masses. Grande Rock had a chat with the vocalist & guitarist Clinton Cunanan about the new album, the band and other interesting things…
Hi Clinton and welcome to Grande Rock. Do tell us… which were those incidents or/and thoughts that urged you to form Another Lost Year in the first place?
C: It was right after my Mom died. I realized that you can be miserable at something that you hate doing or you can stop being miserable and try something that you love doing. So I tried out for the PGA and I realized there was a guy playing guitar out there on the golf course and he was making a lot of money. So I said, “Hey, why not?”…
You seem like an ambitious musician and I think you do not want ALY to be “another modern rock band”… which are the ways to avoid such a thing and make your own way?
C: You make your own way. Everything in a business has a system. And we love playing music. It’s our downfall because we’re trying to create art for the purpose of creating art. We know that we have to make it into some type of business. But that’s for other people to figure out. We don’t have somebody standing over us writing a check, telling us what we have to do.
Which are the main differences and the similarities between your debut “Better Days” and the new album “Alien Architect”?
C: I’m still the primary writer. It’s still written from a very true place, from life experiences. We didn’t use outside influences on the band. “Alien Architect” is self-produced. And there are still gangster choruses.
Which are the band’s main influences and how would you define the band’s sound in general?
C: People say we sound like Breaking Benjamin and to that I ask, have you ever heard Breaking Benjamin? Also, is that supposed to be an insult or? I listen to a lot of country music, more so than anything. I don’t know if that shows or not.
You’ve chosen again to cooperate with Jose Urquiza (3 Years Hollow). He also participates in the track “Bastards Sons”. How about that? Do you feel more secure to work with guys you already know and have the total control of your own work overall?
C: Jose works great with us because he knows how we are as a band. He’s toured with us. Getting to have total control is how we maintain the vision. And my favorite verse I’ve ever written, I don’t even get to sing because Jose sings it.
Who’s the “Alien Architect” and what does the album title declare on the whole?
C: Who Is the “Alien Architect”? The alien architect is in us all. It’s meant for you to think about what’s happening. This album is designed to reach more people artistically. The world is in a bad place. It’s up to us as people to change it.
Do tell us a few things about each track…
C: “Intro”: We used my favorite scene from “The News Room”, which goes along with everything that we’re saying. Everything that’s good is bad and everything that’s bad can be good again.
“Wolves”: The first track we released. We just let it hunt. The most active rock song I feel on the album. A good re-intro for people and a good step back into the water.
“Bastard Sons”: It was just fun to record and to do a featured track with Jose. Crazy story. Crazy conspiracy stuff.
“Trigger Finger”: Wrote this song from Charlotte to Chicago pretty much. Driving by myself. And if Kevin Bacon was in his prime, he’d be dancing to this like he did in “Footloose”.
“Best Is Yet to Come”: It’s got rain in it. One of my favorite things about my songwriting is getting to relive one of my songs. I feel like it’s a daily anthem for myself.
“Run the Tank Out”: This was just fun. It’s like the high school version of me if I had money and lived on the west coast and could get chicks.
“This is Life”: The real story is it was a big F you to somebody. And this is life.
“He Took Beautiful Away”: The women are loving this song. We all know the story. And I hate women empowering songs. But this is one that needed to empower women. I don’t know what a Grammy is, but I think this song could get me one. Or a whole bunch of strawberry banana Core Power.
“Memories”: Probably the most visual song on the album for me. I wrote it while laying on my back in the middle of the room we were recording in. And Adam says it has his most favorite line ever in it.
“We All Die Alone”: It’s told from two different points of view. Two people. Two friends having a conversation. It has my favorite bridge off the album.
“On and On”: I wrote it after spending some time with one of my favorite people. It was just fun to write lyrically.
“Holding On/Letting Go”: Another lyrically fun song. It has a lot of play on words. I got to do a lot of that in this song. Holding on and letting go, it can be the same thing.
You have two videos out. One for “Wolves” and the newest “We all Die Alone”. Is there any chance to release another concept or lyric video during the next months?
C: Absolutely. I’m hoping to do a video for pretty much every song.
Even though you’re rather young, you are quite mature musically. What’s your secret?
C: Young, yeah. I’ve lived a lot of life. I just write about what I observe. I pay attention. I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’ve made a lot of non-mistakes. And I listen to a lot of county music.
There’s a US tour that begins within the next days… do you have any plans for a Fall or Winter US or European tour?
C: Yes, yes, and yes. We’re a touring band. We thrive on the road. As long as the wheels turn.
What are your expectations from “Alien Architect” and what do you wish to achieve with ALY in the years to come?
C: It’s already achieved more than I thought it would. It’s got great reviews. Great reception. People says it sounds like we did what we wanted to do. Just keep putting out great music.
It’s time for our “weird questions”!!! How did you come up with the name Another Lost Year initially?
C: Science. Your brain remembers things in threes. It starts with the letter A. We all know what it’s like to lose years.
If you found a genie in a bottle and you only had 3 wishes what would they be?
C: For humans to be humans to each other.
Top 3 Western movies of any era?
C: Does “Back to the Future 3” count as a western? “3:10 to Yuma” & “Cowboys and Aliens”.
Best pick-up line that has worked for you several times in the past?
C: “Could I have your email that way I don’t feel obligated to call you?”…
What’s the worst thing one can say right after sex?
C: “Your sister was better”. Unless they don’t have a sister, then it would be their brother. If all else fails, then their Mom.
You have the opportunity to have sex with a movie-celebrity/porn-star of your choice. Who would it be & why?
C: Chris Pratt. He’s so dreamy in “Jurassic World”. Or Scarlett Johansson as “Black Widow”.
Which are the best 3 Rock albums of all time according to you?
C: Greenwheel – “Soma Holiday”, Bush – “Sixteen Stone” & 7Mary3 – “American Standard”.
Which do you consider to be the best male & female vocalist in rock history?
C: Steve Perry & Stevie Nicks.
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
C: Shameless plug. On title alone, you gotta go with “Alien Architect”.
Fill in the phrase… “Rock music wouldn’t have evolved the way it did, if it hadn’t been for…”
C: Honestly, I think drug abuse…
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
C: Man, I would love to go to the past to know where you’ve been. But they didn’t have air conditioning back then.
Who is the sexiest female Rock Star of our time and why?
C: Steven Tyler. I mean, I know he’s not female, but he’s got great hair.
Which character from the “Game of Thrones” would you have been – if you lived in the Seven Kingdoms?
C: I have never seen “Game of Thrones”, but I would probably say the race car because I like to go fast.
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
C: I’m sure it wouldn’t be the happiest day of my life. But if it put a smile on her face and got me some action, I might be OK.
I think we have come to an end Clinton. Wish you the best for the future. Any last words? Take care dude!
C: Don’t be afraid of key lime pie. In other words, go after what you want.
C: It was right after my Mom died. I realized that you can be miserable at something that you hate doing or you can stop being miserable and try something that you love doing. So I tried out for the PGA and I realized there was a guy playing guitar out there on the golf course and he was making a lot of money. So I said, “Hey, why not?”…
You seem like an ambitious musician and I think you do not want ALY to be “another modern rock band”… which are the ways to avoid such a thing and make your own way?
C: You make your own way. Everything in a business has a system. And we love playing music. It’s our downfall because we’re trying to create art for the purpose of creating art. We know that we have to make it into some type of business. But that’s for other people to figure out. We don’t have somebody standing over us writing a check, telling us what we have to do.
Which are the main differences and the similarities between your debut “Better Days” and the new album “Alien Architect”?
C: I’m still the primary writer. It’s still written from a very true place, from life experiences. We didn’t use outside influences on the band. “Alien Architect” is self-produced. And there are still gangster choruses.
Which are the band’s main influences and how would you define the band’s sound in general?
C: People say we sound like Breaking Benjamin and to that I ask, have you ever heard Breaking Benjamin? Also, is that supposed to be an insult or? I listen to a lot of country music, more so than anything. I don’t know if that shows or not.
You’ve chosen again to cooperate with Jose Urquiza (3 Years Hollow). He also participates in the track “Bastards Sons”. How about that? Do you feel more secure to work with guys you already know and have the total control of your own work overall?
C: Jose works great with us because he knows how we are as a band. He’s toured with us. Getting to have total control is how we maintain the vision. And my favorite verse I’ve ever written, I don’t even get to sing because Jose sings it.
Who’s the “Alien Architect” and what does the album title declare on the whole?
C: Who Is the “Alien Architect”? The alien architect is in us all. It’s meant for you to think about what’s happening. This album is designed to reach more people artistically. The world is in a bad place. It’s up to us as people to change it.
Do tell us a few things about each track…
C: “Intro”: We used my favorite scene from “The News Room”, which goes along with everything that we’re saying. Everything that’s good is bad and everything that’s bad can be good again.
“Wolves”: The first track we released. We just let it hunt. The most active rock song I feel on the album. A good re-intro for people and a good step back into the water.
“Bastard Sons”: It was just fun to record and to do a featured track with Jose. Crazy story. Crazy conspiracy stuff.
“Trigger Finger”: Wrote this song from Charlotte to Chicago pretty much. Driving by myself. And if Kevin Bacon was in his prime, he’d be dancing to this like he did in “Footloose”.
“Best Is Yet to Come”: It’s got rain in it. One of my favorite things about my songwriting is getting to relive one of my songs. I feel like it’s a daily anthem for myself.
“Run the Tank Out”: This was just fun. It’s like the high school version of me if I had money and lived on the west coast and could get chicks.
“This is Life”: The real story is it was a big F you to somebody. And this is life.
“He Took Beautiful Away”: The women are loving this song. We all know the story. And I hate women empowering songs. But this is one that needed to empower women. I don’t know what a Grammy is, but I think this song could get me one. Or a whole bunch of strawberry banana Core Power.
“Memories”: Probably the most visual song on the album for me. I wrote it while laying on my back in the middle of the room we were recording in. And Adam says it has his most favorite line ever in it.
“We All Die Alone”: It’s told from two different points of view. Two people. Two friends having a conversation. It has my favorite bridge off the album.
“On and On”: I wrote it after spending some time with one of my favorite people. It was just fun to write lyrically.
“Holding On/Letting Go”: Another lyrically fun song. It has a lot of play on words. I got to do a lot of that in this song. Holding on and letting go, it can be the same thing.
You have two videos out. One for “Wolves” and the newest “We all Die Alone”. Is there any chance to release another concept or lyric video during the next months?
C: Absolutely. I’m hoping to do a video for pretty much every song.
Even though you’re rather young, you are quite mature musically. What’s your secret?
C: Young, yeah. I’ve lived a lot of life. I just write about what I observe. I pay attention. I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’ve made a lot of non-mistakes. And I listen to a lot of county music.
There’s a US tour that begins within the next days… do you have any plans for a Fall or Winter US or European tour?
C: Yes, yes, and yes. We’re a touring band. We thrive on the road. As long as the wheels turn.
What are your expectations from “Alien Architect” and what do you wish to achieve with ALY in the years to come?
C: It’s already achieved more than I thought it would. It’s got great reviews. Great reception. People says it sounds like we did what we wanted to do. Just keep putting out great music.
It’s time for our “weird questions”!!! How did you come up with the name Another Lost Year initially?
C: Science. Your brain remembers things in threes. It starts with the letter A. We all know what it’s like to lose years.
If you found a genie in a bottle and you only had 3 wishes what would they be?
C: For humans to be humans to each other.
Top 3 Western movies of any era?
C: Does “Back to the Future 3” count as a western? “3:10 to Yuma” & “Cowboys and Aliens”.
Best pick-up line that has worked for you several times in the past?
C: “Could I have your email that way I don’t feel obligated to call you?”…
What’s the worst thing one can say right after sex?
C: “Your sister was better”. Unless they don’t have a sister, then it would be their brother. If all else fails, then their Mom.
You have the opportunity to have sex with a movie-celebrity/porn-star of your choice. Who would it be & why?
C: Chris Pratt. He’s so dreamy in “Jurassic World”. Or Scarlett Johansson as “Black Widow”.
Which are the best 3 Rock albums of all time according to you?
C: Greenwheel – “Soma Holiday”, Bush – “Sixteen Stone” & 7Mary3 – “American Standard”.
Which do you consider to be the best male & female vocalist in rock history?
C: Steve Perry & Stevie Nicks.
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
C: Shameless plug. On title alone, you gotta go with “Alien Architect”.
Fill in the phrase… “Rock music wouldn’t have evolved the way it did, if it hadn’t been for…”
C: Honestly, I think drug abuse…
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
C: Man, I would love to go to the past to know where you’ve been. But they didn’t have air conditioning back then.
Who is the sexiest female Rock Star of our time and why?
C: Steven Tyler. I mean, I know he’s not female, but he’s got great hair.
Which character from the “Game of Thrones” would you have been – if you lived in the Seven Kingdoms?
C: I have never seen “Game of Thrones”, but I would probably say the race car because I like to go fast.
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
C: I’m sure it wouldn’t be the happiest day of my life. But if it put a smile on her face and got me some action, I might be OK.
I think we have come to an end Clinton. Wish you the best for the future. Any last words? Take care dude!
C: Don’t be afraid of key lime pie. In other words, go after what you want.