Phoenix-based quartet Katastro extends their musical run with their sixth studio album Sucker via Silverback Music’s Controlled Substance Sound Labs on Friday, July 16th. Composed of Andy Chaves, Andrew Stravers, Tanner Riccio, and Ryan Weddle — Katastro gears up to release their Matt Keller [Lydia, Anarbor, Redlands] produced record as a pot of alt-rock, hip-hop, punk, reggae, blues, and pop all mixed up and baked in a divergent pie of 12-songs. Katastro’s songwriting does not offer a shy dose of honesty as the whole collection drips with a priceless reputability one could only beg for. There are derivates of affection and animosity stapled throughout the record as it provides a steady soundtrack for the summertime.
We got the chance to catch up with Katastro’s guitarist, Tanner Riccio, to get the low down on the new record, tour plans and what the future holds for this talented group ahead of the release of Sucker.
PTM: Thank you so much for your time! For those who haven’t heard your music, what are a few words you would use to describe your sound and who you are as an artist?
Tanner Riccio: Typically, I like to let people listen and make that distinction themselves . All I can say is that we are a unique concoction of different tastes and influences that produces a sound that’s true to who we are.
PTM: Congratulations on your latest single, it is such a bop! It feels on the same level as blackbear’s“Hot Girl Bummer” — do you think “The Way I Feel” will become the new summer anthem? Can you take us behind the writing process for “The Way I Feel?”
TR: It will be the new summer anthem, in our worlds anyway … I believe the song started out with just vocals and piano then we slowly added in guitar and little things here and there. It all came together pretty seamlessly and it’s really just a typical pop structured song.
PTM: The music video already has over 41K views on YouTube – that’s amazing! It’s giving off some serious pop-punk vibes — specifically Neck Deep “Sick Joke”. What inspired the music video?
TR: Honestly, we were really just inspired by the Red Hot Chili Peppers’“Look Around“ music video, where they slide from room to room establishing each members individual style. We aimed to have elements of that but also a touch of Bill Murray’sGroundhogs Day which reflected doing the same thing / not much every day during the initial shutdown of our country.
PTM: You already have 5 studio albums under your creative belt. What makes Sucker the stand out from the rest?Was there anything your previous records taught you when it came to approaching Sucker?
TR: Sucker is our attempt at making a feel good, happy, summer playlist. In the past, we’ve always written a bit more sad or darker emotional songs which comes very easy to us, but with this album we wanted to try something more uplifting given the past year has been such a tough time for so many people.
PTM: Sucker discusses the loop of life, love, hate, and the desire to break that pattern. Can you elaborate a bit more about how these themes are incorporated and worked into the initial track listing?
TR: There’s certainly a method to when it comes to choosing the track listing for us. With Sucker, we tried to help the listener really feel the ups and downs as they go song by song with a nice interlude in the middle to freshen everything up.
PTM: There’s a bit more of a ripened sonic landscape and assemblage of genres like rock, funk, pop, hip-hop, and more. Are there sounds that you tend to incorporate more heavily or influence you to stray away from writing?
TR: Not specifically. I think as of lately our goal has been to really get in touch with the core roots of our band. The main elements of the instruments themselves are important to us right now and we’re trying to create and record music that is more true to how we sound in a live setting.
PTM: Which song on the album has allowed you to be the most experimental? Is there one you are dying for fans to experience, especially live?
TR: We would all answer this differently but “John T” is my personal favorite off of Sucker. I was able and lucky enough to really cake on the different guitar layers and go off the rails a bit.
PTM: How did your friendship with Micah Brown of Iration flourish? How did he end up being invited to sing on “Droptop?”
TR: We’ve been friends with Micah Brown for years, even prior to him joining Iration. There has always been talk of wanting to feature him on a song and we’ve just never been able to get around to doing it. He really helped bring out the chorus of “Droptop” with his unique voice and really is just an incredible musician all around.
PTM: Since tours and festivals are being put back on the books, what does the perfect bill look like for you both as a performer and as a fan? Are there any upcoming tours or festivals you are particularly excited to check out?
TR: Obviously the big one is Coachella, but really we’re open to anything and everything. Fortunately for us, our sound isn’t too distinctly tied down to one genre which I think benefits us in having more opportunities to tour with different bands and different types of music.
PTM: You of course have a string of West Coast dates lined up to promote Sucker, what can fans expect from a live show?
TR: We take a lot of pride in putting on a fun and exciting show. I think that’s what sets us apart from a lot of bands. I would just say when you buy a ticket for our show just know you’re gonna get your money’s worth .
PTM: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you would like to add before we go?
