By Cynthia Gross
On February 3, East London-based punk rock band Speak Never released their debut single, “3:30am.” The passionate, energetic track questions why we knowingly make decisions that we regret, showcasing the band’s ability to create widely applicable music based on personal experiences. The song is the lead single from Speak Never’s forthcoming EP, It Might Get Better.
“When you wake up and don’t want to look at your phone because you know you sent a rambling text at 3:30 a.m. – this song is about that,” explains Speak Never. “It’s about trying to talk yourself down when you’re going on for no reason, and appreciating people for putting up with your shit when you don’t.” Sounds like Speak Never’s loquacious tendencies are the opposite of what one might expect based on their band name.
“It’s something I couldn’t have planned it / A reason I can’t understand it / Just so hard to get to sleep / It’s so hard to get to sleep,” Speak Never sings before proceeding into the soaring chorus, “Cause I’ve been trying to decide / If what I said was wrong or right / But I just haven’t had the time.”
Speak Never is comprised of singer and guitarist Jacob Jarvis and drummer Luke Jones. Their sound, as evidenced by “3:30am,” is raw and unfiltered, allowing an urgency and honesty to shine through, which feels refreshing.
Fans of Say Anything and Joyce Manor will identify with Speak Never’s direct, eclectic sound. In the studio, the band seeks out producers who understand their desire for a crisp, but not over-processed, sound. Recently, they collaborated with Neil Kennedy, whose former clients include Creeper, Boston Manor, Trash Boat, and Milk Teeth.
“The song started out slower and acoustic before we reworked the riff and then added the chorus,” Speak Never said. “We finished it a week before we went to the studio and decided just to go with it when it came time to record. And we’re happy we did.”
Stay tuned for Speak Never’s debut EP scheduled for release later this year. Follow our Alchemical Weekly Spotify Playlist for more great music featured on the site.
Cynthia Gross is a freelance writer and award-winning spiritual pop artist based in Maryland. With more than a decade of experience as an executive ghostwriter, she understands the power of each individual’s voice to create positive, meaningful change.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
