NeverShoutNever! is the alias of Christofer Drew Ingle, a Joplin, Missouri native. Since emerging on the music scene in 2008 through MySpace, he has recorded multiple EPs and toured with bands such as Hellogoodbye and The Ace Enders, and now he’s headlining Alternative Press’s annual tour. The 19 year old signed with Warner Bros. Records a short time ago to release his latest album, “What Is Love?”
The State Press recently caught up with Ingle to talk about his life, music and influences as he prepares for a show in the Valley Wednesday night at Tempe’s Marquee Theatre.
State Press: Let’s talk about your new album. There’s a new vibe with this one. Where did that come from? Christopher Ingle: I wrote everything out in California while I was out there. I was mostly just on the beach just chilling and smoking a lot of cigarettes, trying to be artsy. I don’t know, I’m trying to develop a little more as an artist. I’m trying to branch out and get some new instruments in this one. And have a little more fun with it. ... Before, I just had a formula that I worked off of. I’m just trying to be free with the art and not let anything hold me back.
SP: What kind of instruments are you starting to work with?
CI: We did one with the piano, a lot of xylophone, a lot strings, which is really awesome. I had never really tried real strings with our music before. We used an accordion, which is really fun. We had a banjolin, which is a crazy instrument. It is like a homemade instrument.
SP: You said a “banjolin”?
CI: A banjolin. It’s like a mandolin, except with a banjo body.
SP: What is your favorite song on the album?
CI: I’d have to say like “Love Is Our Weapon” and “The Past” are my two favorites. Maybe “California” too. I feel like those ones are the more mature out of [the album]. You know, I feel like those songs can open up a lot doors for future albums, you know, when working with some new songs.
SP: You’re not a newbie to the scene. You’ve been around through MySpace and putting out EP’s. Why did you wait to put out a full album until now?
CI: It’s still not even really a full album ... it’s only like eight songs. I think EPs are just better. It’s a constant flow of music. You can put out an EP every couple of months and it keeps kids really focused. The attention span of kids is so short these days and can’t handle an album every year and a half so I think it’s just a better way to just constantly fill out the music. Also, it’s easier to learn the songs that way. I can just have a four-song EP. You learn all the songs after you listen to it a couple of times instead of a full length. You have your go-to tracks and can just skip around. I think it just keeps it a little more focused than usual.
SP: So are you more into the quick release like how you worked with MySpace? Do you like to get the music right out to your audience as quick as you can?
CI: Yes, definitely. I’m always changing as a person and a songwriter. I love that I can just put out songs and people can change with me and understand what I’m going through at a certain time. And then just relate with the music. I feel like my music is kind of like a roller coaster with the ups and downs, and at times where it’s super happy and times when it’s super, super sad. It just kind of rolls with my emotions so I like that it intertwines with that … so I can put up the music quickly.
SP: You were talking about how your music changes a lot and that kind of reminds me of Eatmewhileimhot! What prompted that project?
CI: Actually, that was around before NeverShoutNever! I used to just make sh-tty metal music when I was a normal guy. And one day I just discovered the acoustic guitar. I don’t know, we would just put out songs here and there. It’s really fun to just go into the studio and make terrible metal music and put it out. We’re just going to keep doing it. I think here in March we’re going to record a little full length on the AP tour. Or maybe an EP.
SP: Have you noticed a specific age group that your fan base consists of?
CI: Yeah, I feel like it’s been getting younger lately, which is kind of weird. But, whatever, everybody grows up. But I feel like it’s maybe 14 to 18. Or maybe even younger than that — 13 to 16? I don’t know. SP: That’s a crazy age to deal with. Are there any horror stories you guys have from that?
CI: Not really, just whenever they’re in groups. When they’re in groups, they get a little crazy. Like, when you talk to one, one-on-one, they’re super chill. But whenever they get into groups, they just start getting wild. SP: What are some major influences when it comes to producing your own music?
CI: I’d have to say a lot of pre-‘70s stuff like Bob Dylan and The Beatles and Beach Boys and a lot of Ryan Adams. I like Conner Oberst from Bright Eyes. He’s awesome. That pretty much sums it up right now from what I’m listening to.
SP: Has music always been the career route you wanted to take, or were there other goals early on in your life?
CI: I played tennis when I was a kid. My dad teaches tennis for a living back home. I used to go to national tournaments and stuff. And when I was 14, I had a shoulder injury and started playing guitar. I haven’t really played tennis since, actually. I just play music.
SP: You previously talked about maturing through your music. Are there any real serious stories that you’ve put behind your songs on this album? CI: I wrote “California” about living fast and maybe doing some things I shouldn’t have done. Just kind of about back home and seeing how I’ve changed. Also, “The Past” is pretty cool. It’s just about my story with my friends and my family. Growing and changing, with all the changes I was going through with my life. “Sacrilegious” was about me getting kicked out of church when I was 16. Those are the more serious songs. I try to keep it light and fluffy [for the album]. SP: I know some pretty beefy guys who listen to you. So it’s kind of a guilty pleasure for them. Do you have any guilty pleasures that you listen to?
CI: I don’t really think so. I mean, honestly, we’re kind of music snobs. We don’t really have any guilty pleasures, unfortunately. Hey, we like Lady Gaga, actually. She’s a badass. She’s wild.