We spoke with Highland Cinema about “More Than I Can See” and more!

Hi! Can you describe the moment or experience that inspired “More Than I Can See”? What was the creative process like for this song?

A: The song actually started to come about during the summer of 2022.  I remember just having a couple chords together and sitting on my back porch one early evening on a beautiful night and the opening line came to me.  I liked what I thought it could turn into and began piecing it together from there.  I was recently a new father with an 18 month old at that time so I think some of that influenced the way I created the song in different pieces as time allowed. I would have a line here, a line there, and a guitar lick here and there.  I was able to find some time to pull it all together at the end of this past summer.  Most of my work is done between the hours of 8pm and 12am while my wife and daughter are sleeping which I also think influences the style I write in.  I can’t be singing at the top of my lungs at those hours or blaring guitar amps.

Growing up in New Jersey and jamming in your parents’ basement, how do you think your childhood environment and experiences have shaped your music, particularly this single?

A: I think being from New Jersey and how rich it is in the arts and how many musicians come out of here definitely gives more of us from New Jersey the idea that, “Hey, they did that, so why can’t I?”.  Even though that’s not always the case, we like to think it is. It’s hard to say how my childhood environment shaped this song as I really grew up listening to heavy classic rock that my father was playing in his car or I was listening to a lot of punk rock. My musical influences are quite different these days. I’d say really the only thing from my childhood on this recording is my good friend, Vin, on drums.  We grew up learning and playing music together and we are still doing that today. 

You’ve mentioned Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, The National, The Gaslight Anthem, and Ryan Adams as influences. How do these icons manifest in “More Than I Can See,” and how do you balance these influences with your unique sound?

A: I think it’s clear to hear that Bruce has an influence on the way I sang on this track.  It kind of lends itself to those laid back acoustic songs of his either from his “Nebraska” days or “Devils and Dust”.  He’s really the first artist I would sing along to as it’s more in my vocal range. Same sort of goes for The National.  Singing along to his baritone vocals is fun and a little easier than say singing along to a Led Zeppelin track for me. I think the Petty influence shines through in the simple production of the track. I was listening to a lot of the “Wildflowers” album during late summer when I finished writing this song and I think that helped me with the simple production style. 

“More Than I Can See” is described as having a lively rhythm and a relaxed, upbeat melody. Was this a deliberate contrast to its non-holiday theme, and what message or feeling did you aim to convey through this juxtaposition?

A: I wasn’t really thinking about the release date while I was writing it so it wasn’t anything I really thought about until the release date was set for 7 days before Christmas.  I know a lot of artists won’t release material this time of year or if they do it will be a holiday tune.  This was written in pieces during different times across two summers.  So I think some laid back relaxed summer vibes definitely crept its way into the song. 

Having played in various bands before forming Highland Cinema, what unique elements do you believe each of you bring to the band, and how do these dynamics play out in your music?

A: We have played a lot of different types of covers and genres in our time together and I think that will have an effect on the diversity of our music down the road.  While this track sounds a certain way, I wouldn’t be surprised if another track down the road has a completely different vibe to it.  

As childhood friends who have grown musically together, how has your relationship evolved over the years, and how does this history contribute to your collaboration and songwriting process?

A: It’s funny because Vin and I were very close all throughout the grade school and high school years where we were around each other almost every day going to the same schools, playing in bands together, and living just a few houses down from each other. And then for a few years we probably didn’t see each other or interact much at all.  After high school we went to different colleges and both put music down for a little bit and didn’t really talk much but every time we did it never felt like it was years since we last spoke or interacted.  It was like we just picked up where we left off.  We reconnected a few years after college and picked right back up with music and have not stopped and our friendship is probably at its peak since starting this project.  

With “More Than I Can See” being your first single, how do you feel this song represents Highland Cinema’s musical direction and identity?

A: I think it shows that we are clearly a guitar band.  There are 3 or 4 different guitars used on this recording and no keys or anything else other than guitars, bass, and drums.  That’s not saying we won’t incorporate other instruments in the future if a song calls for it but this is really who we are at the core.  The songs are likely always going to be written and constructed using a guitar as the main writing instrument.  

Could you share any memorable challenges or rewarding moments you encountered while producing “More Than I Can See”?

A: This song was self produced so I think just finishing was a rewarding moment for us.  We have a hard drive full of half finished songs or clips of songs and just getting this one done was rewarding.  Releasing it and starting this project and receiving feedback has also been very rewarding.  

Looking ahead, what can fans expect from Highland Cinema in terms of future projects? Are there any collaborations, new themes, or musical styles you’re exploring?

A: We have our second single titled “Long Way Back” coming out on January 23rd.  This was the second song we wrote for this project and it came together much quicker than “More Than I Can See”.  Looking forward to having that one out in the world as well. 

Finally, what advice or insights would you offer to aspiring musicians who look up to your journey and wish to create their own path in the music industry?

A: I think we are still in the position to be looking for advice from others in the industry so really the only advice we could give is to the bedroom musician/songwriter thinking about doing something with their music. Our advice would be to just get out and do it.  Just get something recorded, release it, start playing at open mics and have fun. That’s what we are doing and are having a blast.