On November 17th, Stomp Records (US) and Beluga Records (EU) will release ‘Music That Humans Can Play’ by Autogramm, a synth-driven power-pop band hailing from Seattle, Chicago, and Vancouver.

A synth-driven power-pop band? Yes, you will hear influences from class acts like The Cars, The Go-Go’s, Gary Numan, 20/20, and Devo.

The release of the album was far from guaranteed; CC Voltage elucidates the process behind it.

Could you share the journey of bringing this record to life? How did all the pieces come together to create the final product?

It was almost never meant to be. We had been considering ending the band in 2022. Jiffy had gotten sick of playing keys/guitar and being the lead singer, and we weren’t sure what we were going to do. We had kind of lost steam over the pandemic, and everyone was doing new bands or jobs, having kids, etc. The idea of bringing Lars from Bread & Butter into the band came up, and everyone got very excited again. Fresh blood! We shared about 12 songs with each other between Chicago, Seattle, and Vancouver and then literally learned all of them the week before we hit the studio. A couple didn’t make the cut, and a couple were written on the plane while Josh was flying from Chicago. We laid them all down at a great studio in Vancouver during a heatwave. I remember more about the barbeques, my newborn daughter, and our beach hangouts than I do about the recording itself!

Was there a particular moment or experience that struck you, signaling that you were onto something special with this project?

I think we had the fear of looking like a tacky 80’s revivalist band, or worse just a crappy cover band. Our drummer, The Silo, has a couple studios and loads of vintage gear, so it wasn’t hard for him to dial in a very authentic sounding dynamic for us. We also started the band being very selective about the influences we tried to emulate. I feel like the moment we started doing shows and releasing music was the moment that I realized we were onto something. People really gravitated to it. I think we pulled it off our original vision for the most part!

Success can take on different meanings as time goes on. When envisioning success for this new record, what does that picture look like now?

Success has never meant more than a free vacation to me. I love to get out and meet new people anywhere in the world. If my band offers me that opportunity, then I think it’s totally successful. I guess as I get older, I start thinking about the royalties more, and those have been better with this band. I mean, it doesn’t put food on the table, but maybe a nice dinner out once in a while!

Imagine you could collaborate with three co-writers of your choice for new songs. Who would you select, and what qualities or dynamics draw you to them?

Well, this is kind of happening right now. I have a project for a kids’ album in the works with the drummer of Tricky Woo (if you don’t know, you should listen to the album “Sometimes I Cry”) and the drummer from Bread & Butter. I’m excited to get this started, but it’s been taking a long time to actually put it in motion. Everyone is busy with bands and families, and side projects are getting harder and harder to commit to. Seems like the world is twice as busy as it used to be.

Among the gigs you’ve performed, which one holds an indelible place in your memory, and why does it stand out?

I think playing in Bilbao in 2004 was the high point in my music career. I had rejoined the Black Halos, and we were invited to play Bilbao Rock Accion just before Danzig on a Saturday night. It was INSANE. I can’t tell you the stories publicly, but I certainly got to experience the excesses of rock and roll on that trip! Haha. That was the last time I got to see Kike (RIP) of Safety Pin Records. He was a champ, and I miss him.

Looking ahead to the next couple of months, what exciting plans or projects are on the horizon for you?

We have a tour that’s being booked for March 2024 in Europe. Get in touch with Wild Wax Tours if you wanna see us in your town! wildwaxtours@gmx.de