Artist Interview: Rellick
An eclectic mix of influences, a massive band, and a commitment to storytelling are just a few of the things that make Cleveland’s Rellick one of the city's most exciting musical acts. We sat down with the band to talk about their unique sound, memorable performances, and what fans can expect in the coming year.
Q. How do your diverse rock influences, from Father John Misty to the Grateful Dead, shape the unique sound of Rellick?
A. We get to use all these influences as different spices in the Rellick stew. We can look to Father John Misty’s lyrics, which can flip from saying something that sounds like esoteric knowledge to grounded, relatable expressions with a lot of humor in between, to the Grateful Dead’s expression of feeling without words in their deep jam sections. We then use both of their influences to make something completely different because everything grows from something else; nothing exists in a vacuum.
Q. Your single "Sweet Tranquil Tourism" has over 30,000 streams. What do you think it is about that song that resonates with so many people?
A. It’s honestly just one of our most fun songs! It’s got some disco, funk, and psychedelic instrumentation, and it was just so much fun to record. I think people can really hear that.
Q. As a band that has played over 60 shows in your first year, what was the most memorable performance and why?
A. The most memorable one has to be when we traveled down to Nashville to play with our pals in Under High Street (shoutout!) as a part of the tour we went on back in March. The long journey there just made us more excited for more opportunities like that in the future!
Q. How do you approach creating a "cinematic rock experience" for your audience, both in your recorded music and during live shows?
A. We are always looking to grow and develop our music in ways outside of the norm. We’re about to play a 4-hour show that will be split into three distinct sets, with the first being Country/Western/Folk music, the second being more Disco-Funk/Surf/Psychedelic, and then the third being our signature Cinematic Rock with a string quartet playing with us. It’s all about pushing the idea of what a live show or record should be!
Q. What was it like to go from playing intimate indie venues to performing for over 300 people in Downtown Cleveland's Public Square?
A. Honestly, we prepped for it as much as we possibly could, making sure we were tight on all the music we were playing and that we felt like we were all on the same page. It worked! We’re actually about to play the same show in just over a week, and we’re a little more seasoned, so we’re just excited to get back at it!
Q. Could you tell us more about the creative process behind your upcoming music and working with producer Billy Carrick?
A. The creative process behind the upcoming project(s) is a little bit all over the place currently. With such a wide range of influences and music we want to make, it causes us to go from a funk-based dance tune to an intimate acoustic folk song. We’re just going to keep making songs and then just see what sticks, I guess. Billy is the man! We love working with him. He actually played drums on the first three songs we had released and has always been an integral part of our sound.
Q. The band has seven members. How do you all collaborate on songwriting and arranging your music?
A. Usually, it goes through a process where Mike begins writing a song with just him and the guitar, and then he’ll either make a demo or bring it straight to the band, where everyone adds their bit of herbs and spices to the mix.
Q. With Mike Rellick as the frontman and songwriter, how does the rest of the band contribute to the final sound and storytelling?
A. Everyone gets the opportunity to add their expertise in the recording process, especially in the studio. We’re always looking for someone to hear something in their head and put it into the record.
Q. Sophia Fisher's role includes both vocals and keys. How does having multiple vocalists and instruments like saxophone and violin expand the band's musical possibilities?
A. It allows us the ability to make something that you wouldn’t hear in the usual indie rock space, especially in live performances.
Q. You guys are known for your storytelling, which, in your own words, is "reminiscent of Father John Misty and the improvisational spirit of the Grateful Dead." How do you balance these two elements in your live performances?
A. The balance between the two is found in our attempt to tell and continue stories without words during the parts where we are jamming like the Dead. For example, if we’re coming out of a jam section and into the next verse, the story was carried with it from the previous verses and choruses.
Q. What inspired you to form a band with a sound that blends such a wide range of influences, from Steely Dan's musical depth to Goose's performance range?
A. I mean, just give us a shovel and we can dig it all! We come from a wide range of musical backgrounds, with Jazz musicians, Opera, Bluegrass, Soul, Classical, and psychedelic rockers. We just love it all and know that we can make something special if we just go for it.
Q. Being nominated for multiple awards in your first year is a huge accomplishment. What does this recognition mean to the band?
A. It means a lot to us because we get to be honored in the amazing scene that Cleveland is! We absolutely love being a part of an exponentially growing moment in Cleveland.
Q. How do you feel Rellick is contributing to or changing the current musical landscape in Cleveland?
A. We feel like we’ve been contributing to the push to record your music and make it bigger by adding eclectic instrumentation like orchestral instruments, sax, brass, and even accordion! There’s such a wealth of really talented musicians around here that all you have to do is involve yourself in all of the great local music and you’ll get the chance to work with them!
Q. Your band name is Rellick, which is also the frontman's name. How did you decide on that as the band's identity?
A. In the beginning of the band, there was just Teddy Petersen and Mike starting out at open mics with the goal to grow to a full band. After some discussion, I wanted the chance to honor my late father and grandfather's legacy in the city of Cleveland. They were Union Iron Workers and quite literally built this city, so the connection runs deep.
Q. What can fans expect from Rellick in the coming year, following the success of your first year and recent nominations?
A. We are continuing to work on the next projects in the studio, and we hope to get on the road a bit more in the coming year!
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