Ivory Daze on Their New EP ‘Chlorine’, Making Heavy Pop Songs, Fear as a Driving Force, and More » LIVING LIFE FEARLESS

First off, where are you all from? How’d you get started as a band?

We’re from Lincoln Nebraska. If you don’t know where that is, stick your finger in the middle of a US map and you’ll pretty much be on it. We started the band in high school where we all met and there was kinda a revolving door of members for a while but we’re the three that stuck around.

Who would you say are some of your biggest musical influences?

I think guitar wise Nirvana was a very fundamental band for me. The way I learned to play guitar was sitting in my room when I was 12 and learning their entire discography. Now some of my influences are bands like Crosses, Hum, Failure and Ethel Cain. – Isahen Harms (vox/guitar)

What are some other bands currently that you think are doing interesting things?

Our friends in Mugshot just put out a record that I think is really great. One of my friends in Texas just started a project called Adaloe and they are putting out an ep on October 30th that I’m super excited about. I also really enjoyed the new Greet Death album. – Van Foster (bass)

“Pop songs with distortion” is a pretty solid way of describing your sound. Can you tell us more about that?

I just like writing songs that are catchy. I think we have a lot of pop sensibilities in our music and we always try to sneak in more of our heavy influences with like the intro of “IV League” just being blast beats or all of “Apollo” being a two step song. I think catchy music is fun, more people should write songs you can sing along to. – Isahen Harms

Congrats on signing to Quiet Panic! How’d that come about? What made it the right home for you?

Thank you! I think we kinda just gravitated to their DIY ethos. We are kinda DIY to a fault at times with doing all our own art, printing our own merch, booking our tours, etc. so we wanted to be somewhere that aligns themselves with those same core beliefs. – Maeve Nelson (drums)

“IV League” is the lead single, and I think a perfect slice of you all as a band. Can you tell us more about it? Why this one first?

I don’t think there’s a better way to kick the door down than coming straight out with blast beats and a trem arm breakdown. Other than that, it has been our set opener since it was written so it just felt right to have it be the first single and the opening track of the ep. – Van Foster

Also congrats on the new EP. Is there a consensus favorite on there? What was the creative process like?

I think we all have a different favorite on the project. Mine personally is “Apollo” just because of how much sonically I think we were able to fit in such a short song. Its kinda nice having everyone disagree on what the best song is though. Makes you feel like each song has something different to offer. – Isahen Harms

We say you have to be fearless to be a creative and put yourself out there, do you agree?

I disagree, I think fear is one of the biggest driving factors at least for me. I’m always scared about writing the next song and trying to make sure it’s better than the last. That fear can really push you to do something you didn’t think you had in you. I hope I’m always scared of fucking up, at least that way I know ill try just a bit harder. -Isahen Harms

What’s your goals for the near future?

I think just more tours, more songs, and more injuries at shows (whether that be us or people in the crowd). – Maeve Nelson

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