forestlike
JM = Jared Myers; JWH = Joshua Wayne Hensley
Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your musical journey and background?
JWH: Jared and I met as young songwriters in northern Indiana in the late 90’s. The songs we were writing had a different feel, but we found that when we joined forces things seemed to click into place. We played together in several different bands through the years but also had separate projects. Jared stepped away from actively working on music for most of the 2010’s and I focused on my band The Rutabega. We remained friends during that time and in late 2019 started collaborating again and working on the songs that would become “Forestlike.”
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound and style?
JM: I often go back to Kim Deal’s melodic sense that comes through in her songs for The Breeders and The Amps. The Beatles have always been an overall inspiration for both of us — specifically in the way they would harmonize. Even in our early bands we were always trying to find ways to incorporate vocal harmonies into our songs, and that’s something that is a big part of what we are doing with Forestlike.
Can you share a specific artist or album that has had a significant impact on your music?
JWH: Growing up my family listened to a lot of Simon & Garfunkel, and I think they really showed how quieter music could still be dynamic and powerful. And again, like Jared said, their vocal harmonies were a big inspiration. Some other bands and writers that tap into that quiet strength and have inspired us are The Innocence Mission and Adrienne Lenker — both her solo music and her work with Big Thief.
What’s your creative process like when you’re composing or writing a new song?
JM: 90% of the time I start with strumming chords just to have something to shape a melody over. Once the melody is in place, I usually take a long time working out lyrics. Occasionally I will come up with a melody while I’m washing dishes or doing something around the house.
JWH: I tend to settle on lyrics much quicker than Jared, although working with him has definitely made me want to step up my game lyrically. I also tend to start with a guitar part or some chords that suggest a melody and will try not to overthink it and just let the melody guide me. It’s almost like looking at those Magic Eye pictures where the image will only appear if you let your vision go out of focus a bit.
Among all the songs you’ve created, do you have a personal favorite? If so, what makes it special to you?
JM: I’m happy with how Bonfire & Cake from the new record turned out. I like how all the lyrics work together, and musically it feels to me like it could be an older song or something that just came out.
JWH: That is also one of my favorites from the album. Even though it was recorded remotely, I remember really feeling like I was singing with Jared when I was recording my harmonies. I played the dissonant guitar part on the end by accident, but I was glad that Jared wanted to keep it in there.
Can you share the story or inspiration behind that particular song?
JM: Like a lot of my lyrics, it jumps around a bit, but the main theme is how you are safe with your friends. Whether you’re getting into hygge or giant bonfire parties, we’re all still growing up and trying to figure it out and it helps to have people you love and trust when you’re letting loose.
Let’s talk about your latest song. What’s the title, and what’s the story or message behind it?
JWH: Our single and video that is out right now is called ‘Sinking Stone.’ Jared wrote the beginning when he was going through some health issues, and I came up with the ending after he got stuck and wasn’t sure how to finish it. It deals with feeling fragile and wondering if you are wasting your life, but also how those worries can push you to try new things and find your way forward. I feel like the video really captures our friendship and a lot of what this band represents.
Share a memorable or unique experience from one of your live performances.
JWH: Our records were pressed at Smashed Plastic in Chicago, and we decided to drive there together to pick them up rather than having them shipped. We have some friends that live uptown that graciously offered their backyard to have a fire and a little gathering to celebrate the new album. This was the first time we were able to play these songs live and it was such a perfect evening.
Beyond music, do you have any hobbies or interests that you’re passionate about? How do they influence your music?
JM: I like spending time outside and going for walks with my dog, Fran. I enjoy any creative activity where I can make something that wasn’t there before. Lately I’ve been getting into woodworking and that is a similar experience to putting a song together.
JWH: I also like hiking and even though I’m not a birder (yet), I always keep an eye out for herons, cranes, or other birds when I go for walks. I’ve also been into home-recording for most of my life and I enjoy recording cover songs for a monthly tribute project. I’ve found that doing that has helped me try new musical ideas or techniques that I wouldn’t normally do, and that has carried over to Forestlike recordings.
Is there a dream collaboration you’d like to pursue in the future?
JM: I’m happy with how we’ve been recording remotely, but we have talked about putting together a small live band at some point so we could do some live recordings rather than overdubbing parts ourselves.
JWH: And if we do that, Kim and Kelley Deal are more than welcome to stop by and sit in!
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting their journey in the music industry?
JWH: Find actual friends that you enjoy making stuff with and then don’t quit. Have fun and don’t put pressure on yourself to make art into a career. It’s ok to be driven, but at the end of the day if you’re not enjoying yourself you might be missing the point.
JM: Do it because you like to do it and enjoy the journey. Don’t try to chase trends, just be yourself and make music that you are excited about.
Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or new music you have in the works? What can your fans and listeners look forward to from you in the near future?
JM: We’ve both been writing a lot and already have enough songs ready to start working on the next album. We’ve been sharing ideas with each other and starting to talk about how we want to approach this next group of recordings.
JWH: We’re also just really excited to finally be sharing this new album and hearing some reactions to these songs that we’ve been living with for the last few years, so we’re tying to be present with that and not get too far ahead of ourselves.