A brief chat with Northern Faces

Yellow Scene: When did the band form, and what was the mission?

Bryan Shortell: I’d say it officially started when we released the first EP two and a half years ago, in March 2013. But the three of us, the core of the band, have been playing together for about ten years. I don’t think there’s any real mission. Ever since we’ve been playing together, it’s just been about writing songs that we’re into, and its starting to feel that there are more people liking the same stuff as us.

YS: You put out the debut album in April on Equal Vision…

BS: I’ve been a fan of them forever – they’ve put out so many awesome records. Right after we put the record out, we went out with a band called the Deerhunter, who are also on Equal Vision. It was awesome. It was our first time playing the songs live in front of some bigger crowds. It was nerve-wracking at first because we didn’t know how it would go, but every night was awesome. It was definitely validating.

YS: Are you looking forward to Riot Fest?

BS: Yeah. We’re doing Denver and Chicago. They just released the second wave of the lineups yesterday, and it’s amazing. It’s cool too because we get to be there the whole time. We play an hour, and then three full days to hang out and see a lot of cool bands. We haven’t gotten days or times yet, so I’m hoping there’s no conflict. I’m pumped to see Kongos – I love that band.

YS: What can we expect from your set?

BS: I don’t even know yet. We were actually talking about it the other day. It’s kind of a new world for us, because I think a festival crowd tends to be a different beast than a club crowd. I think we’re going to mix up the set.

YS: When Riot Fest is over, what’s next?

BS: We’re working on another fall tour, a support tour, and then possibly a small headlining tour before the year’s up when the snow is upon all of us.