It's Always Morning in New Haven
Always Morning provides listeners an opportunity to dance and cry while listening to their music.
Mustard has observed that some humans are called “early birds.” Since they began their observations they have deduced that no human is actually a bird. These birds simply do not mind functioning and awaking during the AM. On the opposite side of the spectrum there are “night owls.” Owls are a type of bird primarily active during the evening. Mustard deduced, as well, that those humans are also not birds. Birds have an invested interest on the day cycle.
Nevertheless there is a band from New Haven Connecticut called Always Morning. Their sleep schedule is horrendous and do not consider themselves early birds. They make rock that will make your human head rock while also making you weep due to their emotionally charged lyrics. For a band that operates only (and always) in the morning that is quite a feat. With that said some of their best ideas do come to them during the night.
Earlier this year the band released their self-titled debut EP which deal with themes such as heartbreak. You can treat your human ears to their self-titled debut EP no matter the time of day.
You can learn more about Always Morning in our interview below. Together we discuss their sleep schedule, constitutions within the band, poison, and so much more!
1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have Always Morning join them at Music Shelf. How is everyone doing today?
Thank you! We’re doing great!
2. Before we begin, Mustard wonders, what is everyone's sleep schedule like? How has your body adapted to primarily morning hours?
Our sleep schedules are horrendous! Between our bassist's insomnia and our singer’s inability to stay up past 9pm, it’s been quite the journey.
3. Additionally, Mustard wonders, what hours constitute as always morning to Always Morning?
Literally 7 in the morning. Or when the sun first hits your bedroom window.
4. They are curious: do things always happen to Always Morning in the morning? How did you come up with your band name?
Sometimes the best ideas come to us in the middle of the night and the group chat gets blown up. Usually we all respond at some point in the morning so we guess yes??
As brothers, Brian and Charlie have great musical chemistry and were writing instrumental songs long before our band formed. Once Juliana joined the mix, she gravitated toward a song the boys wrote called “Always Morning”. It had no lyrics, but the musicality made it clear that they all wanted to head in a similar direction to unite their ideas. After a long process of brainstorming the most ridiculous band names, “Always Morning” just seemed right for us. We’re a glass half full group of people who occasionally play sad songs.
5. Always Morning is from the Constitution State. What are some constitutions within the band?
No assholes allowed
Fridge must always be stocked during practice
No decisions made on an empty stomach
More cowbell
6. Who (or what) influences Always Morning?
Musically, we love Paramore, Led Zeppelin, the Foo Fighters, Tool, Jack White, Heart. In life, colors and seasons definitely impact our writing. Lots of red and yellow (hey mustard) themes throughout our EP.
7. Mustard is curious: what are some key elements that create an Always Morning song? What is the band's creative process?
We wrote a lot of our first songs about heartbreak. Brian and Juliana found they shared similar experiences and perspectives. Songs like “Sox” and “Barb Dwyer” were born from jam sessions starting with Charlie playing a beat and Brian following with a catchy riff. Then, Juliana came in with lyrics, melodies and a story to tell. With Gager in the mix, we’re able to write more exciting song structures and grooves. Every song is different. “Hurricane Love” and “Sweetest Poison” marked a new chapter in Brian and Juliana’s songwriting methods, in that they intentionally began to write/perform as two characters within the same story. These songs have been some of the most rewarding and fun to perform.
8. Always Morning makes music that listeners can dance or cry in their car to. What car best compliments the music of Always Morning?
A honda civic. I don’t know. A mom car. A car that used to be your parent’s. A candy apple red AMC Gremlin if you can swing it. The idea of someone headbanging to Barb Dwyer in a Gremlin makes us happy.
9. One playlist your music can be found on is "they moved on too fast | Heartbreak." Would you say this playlist represents your music?
We’ve found that in a few of our songs, the protagonist will discover that they need to be the ones to move forward and up. In “Sweetest Poison” this message is pretty loud and clear with the lyrics being, “I’ll find a way to get away from you…I know I deserve a break”. Heartbreak is definitely a prevalent idea, but we’re usually the ones moving on, or at least trying to. And then there’s “Barb Dwyer”...
10. It is literally 7 in the morning. Where the heck were you? What the heck?
Dude, we still don’t know to this day.
11. Earlier this year you released your self-titled debut EP. When did you first begin working on this EP? Could you share what it was like to put this EP together?
We wrote the first song off of our EP about a year ago. Since then we have been writing nonstop, playing our first original set in January of 2024. We had about 10 songs drafted and after our gigs we kept getting asked, “where can we find you guys??” Brian led the search for a recording studio and we quickly booked a session at Dirt Floor Studios. After a jam-packed 3 days, we somehow completed our 6 song EP. We included the songs that we were proudest of and the songs that encapsulated the wild ride we had been on as a new band.
12. Has the band determined where they were while you waited outside their drawer? (door?)
Probably playing disc golf tbh.
13. Always Morning has been compromised. They have been tasked to create the Sweetest Poison for an evil scientist. What ingredients do you use to make this poison?
Hard cider, moonfruit, arsenic and vape juice.
14. Mustard is curious: who is Barb Dwyer? Have they received justice?
Barb Dwyer is still on the run somewhere. Her husband’s body is missing. I think she’s probably doing great though. Absolute smokeshow.
15. Mustard loves listening to albums from start to end. Could you share more about how you decided to structure the EP?
The structure of the album reflects what some of us were going through collectively at the time. If there’s a main character at the center of our EP, they begin their story with anger, leave a relationship for their own good, fall in love with someone new, and rejoice. Barb Dwer could definitely be seen as a wild card, but it also follows the theme of being set free. Our final song, Caskey Boy is that last twinge of mourning we had to do in order to close this chapter and start anew.
16. Ranch Dressing wants to attend an Always Morning show. What five words best describe your live performances? How do you prepare for a show?
Explosive, energetic, playful, emotional, joyous?
Brian and Charlie will usually crack open a cold one to shake off any pre-show jitters. Juliana sings show tunes in her car to warm up and usually hides until our set is about to start. Gager can often be found onstage rehearsing, we’re not sure when he arrives or leaves.
17. What is on the horizon for Always Morning?
Perhaps a new single coming out this fall…
18. Where can readers listen to your music?
You can find our self-titled debut EP, “Always Morning” on all major streaming platforms!
Talking in the aisle
Have you listened to Always Morning?
Are you an early bird or night owl?
Do you agree that New Haven is the pizza capital of the world?
Music Shelf with Mustard is a publication that interviews independent musicians from all across the globe. It is read in 34 states and 25 countries. Check out previous interviews here.
Music Shelf with Mustard originally began in early 2021. Inspired by independent musicians on social media application TikTok Mustard knew they had to do something to help share their music. Shortly after Music Shelf with Mustard was born. Its goal is to highlight independent artists from all across the globe. Mustard appreciates you taking the time out to read this interview.