On their debut full-length recording, Aperture for Departure,
Strangers Die Every Day concoct an ambitious instrumental blend of
moody post-rock with roots firmly embedded in delicate classical
arrangements. Much like the swelling atmospheric haunt of Godspeed You!
Black Emperor, this band of Colorado transplants feel like tourists in
the genre of rock music; thus they’re able to possess an outsider’s
perspective as they deconstruct and reassemble their towering songs.
But now they are no more. The band recently announced it was about to
enter the dreaded phase of “indefinite hiatus,” so bassist Stirling
Myles spoke with us about the end of Strangers Die Every Day, and what
the future holds for the band members.
MERCURY: Oftentimes when bands split, it’s hard to
get a consensus from all the members. Was it difficult to
come to this decision?
SIRLING MYLES: It was an easy decision for all of us in the respect
of supporting each other in exploring other creative areas, as well as
moving on to different phases of our lives. It was a difficult decision
in the way that the completion of the project was becoming finite and
tangible. The consensus and choice to end the project came more sudden
than expected, so I think that it was a little easier to rally and not
dwell on all of the possibilities and “what ifs.” I think we all needed
to have a clear break in order to fully focus on other things for the
time being. Over the past couple of years, we were going to (through
probably a subconscious plan) try to accomplish everything we wanted to
with this project with a subtle timeline. I think we accomplished most
of them. We’ve had a lot of great experiences, meeting incredible
people and collaborating with different artists that we love and
respect.
Also, you mentioned the ever-popular “indefinite hiatus.” Is there a
chance of new SDED music sometime in the future?
Maybe. I’m imagining a reunion tour that states “Strangers
Still Die Every Day!” We did record some new songs and have some
radio performances that we might just release ourselves to whoever is
interested.
Can you talk a little about the future musical plans of the
members?
As of right now, Jessie [Dettwiler] is collaborating with Sam Cooper
and Providence Plantations. She has also been composing her own music
for a ballet performance. Nate [Crockett] has been playing
violin/saw/singin’ for Horse Feathers, and has become quite the
jetsetter! I have been playing with Autopilot Is for Lovers. I have
been composing string quartet music for a couple of different projects
as well. But I also believe that we’ll all be collaborating musically
in some form or another. Maybe we’ll all become DJs.
Strangers Die Every Day will have their final performance at
Holocene on Wednesday, December 17.