A great coping mechanism for dealing with fears and anxieties is turning those negative emotions into an absolute earworm of a track. This is precisely what inspired Jill Ryan on ‘Was I Right.’ The song is featured on Philadelphias Great Time’s newest EP, “Sounds Like ____ [Vol. 3]” A release which showcases that the band continues to pull from a plethora of influences and styles. ‘Was I Right’ also features a guest spot from Macie Stewart, one-half of Chicago rock duo, Ohmme, on strings.
Today, we have the premiere of the video, which is a psychedelic view through the band’s younger days. Jill went into more detail and commented about the inspiration behind the track, as well as the video by saying:
When I was little, I used to lay in my bed at night and stare up at the ceiling in my room. I’d get into a trance looking up and envision a really warm, comforting scene. It looked like a landscape of a Nilla Wafer cookie. But as soon as I was about to fall asleep, the scene would suddenly change to a grungy, oily, dirty landscape and my body would have a negative physical reaction.
My hands felt enormous, my body teeny tiny and a knot would form in my stomach. It was so confusing! Why do I feel this way? I was so content, just about to fall asleep and then seemingly out of nowhere, this scary and uncomfortable feeling would take over. This would happen nightly for me and now as an adult I realize that I was experiencing anxiety.
Those sensations still find me to this day so I wanted to write a song about it. Zack, our bassist/guitarist, edited this video using old tour footage of our younger selves and shots of us performing the song in our studio. I think the visuals really match the emotions and intention of the song.
Jill Ryan
The band will be throwing a record release party in the city of brotherly love tonight at Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia, (WXPN Welcomes) (w/ Kingsley Ibeneche & Zoe Sparks) and will be playing a few more dates you can check out listed below.
6/24: Richmond Music Hall – Richmond, VA
6/25: Pearl Street Warehouse – Washington, DC
7/3 Peach Fest – Scranton, PA
8/26: Foam Brewers – Burlington, VT
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Philadelphia area band, Great Time is set to release the third installment of their ‘Sounds Like’ series, Sounds Like ____ [Vol. 3] – a project that embraces their range of influences and styles. Lead singer/multi-instrumentalist Jill Ryan has had a busy year, touring the UK with Cassandra Jenkins, sitting in on saxophone with Japanese Breakfast for their 5-night sold out run at Union Transfer in Philly, and also with Kristine Leschper on flute, vocals and synths. Great Time’s lead single I Could Be was directed by Marisa Dabice of Philly’s Mannequin Pussy. The third track, Was I Right, features Ohmme’s Macie Stewart on strings. Great Time is comprised of singer/flutist/saxophonist Jill Ryan, bassist/guitarist Zack Hartmann, and drummer Donnie Spackman.
This EP was self produced by the band from their recording studio (built with money raised via Kickstarter). The band has largely ignored conventional wisdom and writes music from a genuine place of multi genre influence that sounds like something wholly original.
Says Ryan, “The idea behind this “Sounds Like” series of EPs is simple: We want to make what we want to make. We’re inspired by tons of different styles and sounds, and we feel most genuine when we’re creating music without any limitations or boundaries. The title is a response to the critiques we received on our first album. Critics have suggested that we should pick a lane or a genre, and ‘Sounds Like’ is our way of defying that while staying true to ourselves.”
Sounds Like ___ [Vol. 3] ranges from a heavier, guitar driven sound reminiscent of late 90s/early 2000s rock and punk, chorus drenched 1980s British New Wave, and backyard acoustic jams most suitable for a roaring campfire. In contrast to the other volumes in the Sounds Like series, says Ryan, “This EP represents the arc of my emotional processing, similar to the 5-stages of grief; it’s a coming-to-terms with all of my emotional parts. This EP was inspired by music we grew up listening to: Bloc Party, No Doubt, Blink 182, Modest Mouse, Incubus, Fugazi, Yeah Yeah Yeahs… the list goes on.
Filming the music video for I Could Be was a really special experience. It was incredible to be directed by Marisa Dabice. I felt so comfortable in her presence. She commands a room not only on stage performing with Mannequin Pussy but also on set. Getting direction from her was empowering. You really have to trust the person that’s telling you what to do and how to move in order for you to perform your best and most authentically and I felt very connected and safe with her to do that. This song is a reaction to traditionality, patriarchy, “the man” and everyone that wants to make me feel small. ”
Sounds Like____ [Vol. 3] is the third part in a series that follows up the band’s 2018 debut LP Great Album, also self produced from the band’s studio. That album caught the attention of legendary radio voice and programmer Bruce Warren at WXPN, and several of their tracks have been in regular rotation on the station. The band also got notice from NPR, EarMilk and Paste Magazine, with the latter saying, “Great Album ranges from ambient charm to thrashing rock. But it doesn’t really matter. Great Time are here for just that: a great time.”