Page 46 - ION Indie Magazine MarchApril 2021

KP: Also, speaking of ‘change,’ how has the songwriting and music by Silversel
evolved over the years?

WS: It’s funny you asked that question. I was just talking with our producer for the new EP
about this just the other day. In the beginning of this band, I would typically write a song,
bring it to the band, and then the band would put their own ‘flavor’ on it…or Justin would
bring in a riff, and we’d build off that. That formula began to change on the ‘Battlegrounds’
record. While Justin and I were still principal writers on a lot of the tracks, the way we put
them together began to change, largely in part due to our engineer/producer Shane Baldwin.
He pushed us to our limits and then some, and the end result is what you hear today. We
kept this in the forefront of our minds as we started writing for ‘Inexorable.’ Instead of me or
other members bringing in a song, we sat down with ideas. And from those ideas, came riffs,
then riffs became jams, and jams became songs. It’s a beautiful process to take all these
ideas, give them their own section, and watch the song grow from there.

KP: The title of your upcoming album ‘Inexorable’ is very telling and I think, applicable
to this current space and time in our world and the music community. The definition
of ‘inexorable,’ according to the dictionary, is ‘impossible to stop or prevent.’ No
doubt, this description personifies the spirit of the band Silversel. Talk about this new
album, the vision, the music, and why you chose to title this album in this way.

WS: When we decided we wanted to write a new record, we had many, many ideas. We
knew that we didn’t just want to regurgitate the same formula as the last two records, yet we
wanted to still remain Silversel and stay true to our fans and our sound. We had a few songs
written, ‘Annabelle’ and ‘Run With The Wolves.’ I think the idea or theme of the record came
from those two songs. We looked at ourselves hard, where we’ve been and where we
wanted to go as a band. And I believe it was after a show, or maybe after a rehearsal, we
were sitting around talking about where we’ve been…what we as a band have been through,
what we’ve endured, and how we’re still here, still going strong. And it was in that moment
that ‘Inexorable’ was born. Each song on the EP is an example of pushing forward. It is in
no way a concept album, but, more of a battle cry. Not just for the band, but for us as
individuals as well. In a sense, yet not nearly as dramatic, it’s kind of like Gary Sinise’s
character Lt. Dan in the movie Forrest Gump -- the scene where he’s on top of the mast of
the shrimp boat in the middle of a hurricane, screaming at God, ‘Is that all you got?!’
‘Inexorable’ is our Lt. Dan moment, because after everything that life and the industry has
thrown at us, we’re still here. With these things in mind, we wanted the album to be heavier
than the last two albums yet retain who we are as a band. I feel we accomplished that goal
with songs like ‘Enemy,’ ‘Gravedigger,’ ‘Annabelle,’ and ‘Run With the Wolves’ keeping your
head banging and your foot in the gas pedal, while tracks like ‘Embers’ and ‘Unglued’ round
out the album and help with its diversity. Overall, we are extremely happy with the new album
and we hope your readers will be too.

KP: Thank you for visiting with me, Wally, and doing this interview. It’s always a
pleasure! What’s next for Silversel? Give us some parting words for the readers of
ION Indie Magazine and your fans and followers, whom you affectionately refer to as
‘Selmates.’

WS: Thank you so much for having me. As for the future of Silversel and our Selmate family,
we are putting together an Inexorable Tour for 2021. Until that kicks off, we will be playing a
few single dates here and there. Hopefully, the spread of the virus will slow, and we can get
back to business as usual. In addition, we are also in the process of writing and pre-
production of ‘Inexorable II.’ It will include another 6 tracks and possibly some hidden gems.
So, stay tuned! Thank you again, Kiki, for having me. It’s always a pleasure talking with you.
To our Selmates, thank you so much! Without you, there would be no Silversel. And as
always, #TurnTheLoveUpLoud on someone today. You never know…your act of kindness
could change their life.