A lot of your thoughts on this recording process reminds me of 'Haze' from The American Scene a bit. Did you feel any similarities between the two experiences?
@Samuel Pura Since listening to and falling in love with your work on the latest Story So Far record, I'm even more intrigued to listen to this new Dangerous Summer one. What from the Proper Dose experience did you bring over to this album, if anything? Have a good day!
@Samuel Pura whats your favorite track on Mother Nature? If you could work with one currently active band for your next project, any band, who would it be?
That record is really depressing for me. That was the start of the end of mine and Pure Noise's relationship. The quote was "I don't need perfect records, I need records done on time and for my budget so I can pay my bills" I walked into the studio... pressed print. Walked outside and literally gave up on that record. Most depressing experience of all time. That record had so much potential.
To fight harder and and see the entire production through to the end. I was going to write songs with these guys, engineer my dream record, mix it, and be like "Here you go. This is Sam Pura when he's allowed to go full steam." and thankfully the band responded very positively to all the suggestions and interaction I had with them. They didn't shut me down because I'm not in their band. They treated me as a member of the band. Thats the experience I always strive for.
I'd love to work with Tom Delonge. A Day To Remember. Teenage Wrist. George Daniel, The Strokes, Phoenix, Metallica... Some realistic scenarios and some unrealistic ones. I try and strive to make records that will make the top tier people take notice.
Honestly would love to see you take a spin with any of those you listed, I think your style would work great for them. Might also be a fit for Taking Back Sunday (that’s my head cannon anyway)
Great band. The real answer is anyone who's passionate about their music and is passionate about collaborating with me is who I want to work with. I don't want to sell myself. I'd rather them be so passionate about my work that they contact me to make their record. There is a funny story of how I got the dangerous summer record. They love the previous records I've done for a specific band. Then that band's new album came out and they were so underwhelmed with it that they looked up the producer for the previous records that they loved and said "We need to contact Sam Pura to make our new record."
man, i love that you have this kind of attitude towards making music. your hard work and dedication to the craft is so obvious and beautiful. TDS and TSSF are so lucky to have you. thank you for all you do and i hope all my favorite bands get the chance to be PURA-fied one day. best friends forever
Hi Sam! It's really cool to see you pop in here and even cooler to see that you and the band were following along with this thread and seeing the positive reactions from everyone. You guys definitely created something very special with this record. You've produced a couple records that were super important to me (Awake & Empty, Safe For Now) I guess if I had any question it would be what bands TDS was listening to or maybe took some inspiration from when recording this? Maybe even just some bands you guys listened to during the process or shit you checked out
Man there were lots. Obvious ones like The 1975 came out when we were making the record. Kelle Musgraves was a mind blowing moment. There was one super emotional ending night where we were like super delirious and also so stoked and just in it... I pulled up Daniel Johnston's the story of an artist because I couldn't believe the dudes had never heard that song. I was just looking into AJ's eyes and he was like 'Wow" and started crying and we all started crying and it was just a moment of "Music is a drug, It's an emotional experience. We have to harness this type of emotional vulnerability into this record.. this is what its all about." Just a really inspiring time. The whole month felt magical. I was buzzing when I'd go home at night and just was so inspired and so happy to share and experience music with these guys.
This question isn’t related to TDS, but I was wondering which TSSF recording session was your favorite? Loved everything you’ve done with TSSF and you killed it with Mother Nature!
Thank you! I really enjoyed the depth in which we explored on the new record. Early days like USAD felt real magical and I knew we were onto something. Pressure started with WYDS and "he shall not be named" co-producer was involved and made that (and State Champs) experience really challenging for me. I struggled to gain the trust and validation from everyone to follow my lead. Lowest point was the Self Titled record. I told myself I wouldn't work with them again and then Proper Dose came up. I tried to run that record as far as it could go. I burned a lot of people out and was just like... I'm gonna make these wrongs right on this new TDS. I love all the dudes etc. I like watching rock climbing movies etc because it validates my experience. Those dudes climb and feel alive. They are operating on all cylinders and pushing themselves into the furthest extremes. Thats how I feel when I'm making records. It makes me feel alive when it's challenging and is a creative battle etc. It's not meant to be fun. It's meant to be worth it.
I really really really want to hear “Is It Real” on the radio. I feel like it’d go over super well. How do we get songs on the radio?