Meet en | MASSE, a Connecticut-based band making waves in the local music scene. Since their formation in 2018, the band has evolved through various lineups before solidifying their current roster and releasing their 2023 album, “Burdened Youth.” Influenced by the sounds of 2000’s post-hardcore, en | MASSE seamlessly blends these elements with softer, atmospheric tones, crafting a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. From local Connecticut shows to out-of-state tours, they have steadily built a dedicated following of fans who appreciate their unique musical blend.
While on tour, en | MASSE took some time to introduce themselves to Ascribe readers, sharing insights into their journey as a band, their creative process and influences, their dreams and aspirations, and what fans can look forward to in 2024.
For those who don’t know you, can you please introduce yourselves and your roles in the band? Who was the band’s first member and how did the band come to be?
Zack Santiago: My name is Zack and I sing. The band started back in 2018, after being in projects that weren’t really fulfilling and/or fizzling out. I wanted to do something more in tune with what I really like and make music that isn’t necessarily confined to “rules” of a genre. Eventually I got a friend on board to do drums at the time and from there we accumulated members over time.
Peter Parkes: I’m Pj and I play bass and joined in 2022.
Jari Javier: Hey, my name is Jari and I play guitar. I’m the newest member and joined about a year and a half ago.
Where did the name “En | MASSE” come from?
Zack: It’s a french adverb that roughly means “all together.” It kept popping up in things I was reading whether it was a book, an article or whatever and I was just like, well that’s simple, kind of unique and to the point, so it stuck. The meaning of it can definitely be applied to the intent behind the music which is being for anyone who wants to feel a part of something.
As a band, you guys have been releasing music since 2020 with your first single being “Lovesick Dead.” From 2020 to 2024, how has the band changed and grown?
Zack: I would say the band has had a somewhat organic evolution. The roster rotated a bit here and there but now I feel like we’re in a good consistent spot. Nothing was ever forced and no one was ever pressured to do things they didn’t want to do.
It’s a whole learning experience at the end of the day. It’s not just learning how to be more “serious” musicians, but actually figuring out how to make a band work, especially long term. It’s a relationship just like any other so you learn what works and what doesn’t over time.
What are your musical influences and inspirations?
Zack: Aside from the obvious bands, I would say our influences are all over the place. Not to be kinda cliche and mysterious, but we all pretty much like the same things. Stuff outside of heavy music definitely seeps into the writing process, like I love rap and try sneaking in little homages in some of my lyrics. Same with new wave stuff, some of the bass lines on the new songs kinda remind of Depeche Mode-esque lines. It’s all an eclectic mix for sure.
What is the band’s processing when producing a new song? Who is the mind behind the instrumental and who is the mind behind the lyrics?
Zack: Usually one of us will just send a demo or an idea, we’ll spitball back and forth then figure out the rest from there. It’s actually a relatively easy process because we tend to be on similar wavelengths. It’s a simple “does this sound dope or not?”
I write all the lyrics. I’m not too secretive about what I’m writing about with the guys, but I usually try to keep it to myself until it’s time to record.
Pj: Writing parts for guitar and bass is a pretty smooth process. Jari and I write the parts for both instruments and no one’s got an ego or gets married to riffs. So if something needs to be changed, it gets changed for the sake of the song. Everyone’s respectful and encouraging which makes the process a lot easier.
Jari: It’s honestly one of the easiest creative processes I’ve gone through with other people. Like the guys said, no one is fully committed to the demos, and if we gotta change something for the songs sake, we change it. Pretty much just rock the songs till something clashes, and just fix accordingly.
Your first album, “Burdened Youth”, was released in 2023. How did you guys decide which songs would be in the album? Are there any songs that just didn’t make the cut that you hope to release as a single or in a future album?
Zack: It just happened to be a collection of songs that we thought sounded cohesive enough to be packaged as an LP. One of the main and few goals behind the record was to have each song be able to stand on its own, no filler, which was mostly why we went with eight songs total. There were some songs that got left in the demo purgatory; I don’t know if they’ll come out of there though, maybe bits and pieces but it’s all new stuff from scratch right now.
I’m sure tour life isn’t easy; have any moments on this tour made you feel the difficulties and challenges of being a touring artist? In turn, have any moments made you feel that all of the hurdles were worth jumping over?
Zack: There are always going to be challenges but the important thing is how we react to those challenges and how we move forward from them. We’re no strangers to the realities of playing away from home, it’s just being strategic about whatever undesirable situation may come.
I think just the ability to do this at all makes all the hurdles worth jumping over. I don’t think any of us take it for granted.
Pj: It’s kind of a cost/gain analysis you have to make with yourself. It’s like “yeah I’m feeling anxious/homesick/uncomfortable right now BUT I get to play live music which is sick, I get to see different areas of the country, or meet and make new friends.” I feel like seeing so many sick bands every night and getting to play in front of new people every night makes every anxiety worth it.
Which city has been your favorite to perform in so far?
Zack: NYC is always lit, doesn’t matter which borough. I’m originally from the Bronx so friends and family will show up every time we come around so it’s really dope I get to present this kind of music to them and show them a good time.
Pj: Playing a skate park (Ambler) was sick, it felt like what I imagined being in a band was like when I was a kid so feels pretty affirming. But all together every night has been killer so far I can’t pick a favorite.
Jari: Definitely a combination of NYC or Philly for me. The shows seem to always do well when we roll out to these areas, and more than anything it always gives me a chance to see a lot of the homies I don’t have the luxury of just getting up and seeing whenever I want.
What city do you wish to perform in the future?
Zack: I personally would love to play LA and anywhere in Japan. Aside from that, we want to hit up as many cities as possible.
Pj: I really want to play Grand Rapids Michigan. I’m a huge La Dispute fan and having the chance to play around where they came up would be sick. It’s that or Tokyo.
Jari: I always had a huge dream or goal to somehow get out to Tokyo if I ever could. Would absolutely love to make it to Japan somehow, and it’s kinda cool seeing that we all share that. As far as something closer to home, I’d really like to hit Denver at some point hopefully soon.
As a band, what is your ultimate goal? What are some achievements you would like to accomplish?
Zack: We just want to make stuff that lasts ya know? Besides playing shows everywhere to everyone, we want the music to not just be a nostalgia thing for people in ten years. Music is an important part of our lives and if I can make just a single person feel the way I feel when listening to my favorite bands then my job is pretty much done. Everything else is a bonus.
Tell me your dream tour lineup; what are some bands or artists you would love to tour with?
Zack: I would love to play with the bands that are actually elevating alternative music and bringing something fresh to it like Static Dress, Loathe, Kaonashi, Fly Over States to name a few. Of course, there are the legacy bands we’d play with in a heartbeat.
Pj: Basically every band Zack said plus Glassjaw. I’d also love to tour with Gods Eyes and Ghost Chant, both killer bands and the nicest group of guys, a chance to see them and play out again would be phenomenal.
Jari: Honestly, Zack pretty much nailed that one on the head. Those are all bands I’ve listened to heavy for the last few years, and some even longer. I would love to just be able to hangout and share the stage with them some time.
Besides a well-deserved break at the end of the tour, what else is in store for the band in 2024? Can fans expect more new music, maybe a new music video or album?
Zack: We’ve got two songs ready to go; one which should be coming out soon along with music videos for both. Then some other songs we gotta finish polishing and recording, so yes definitely new music on the horizon. Stay tuned.
En | MASSE recently finished their tour and is keeping the momentum going with two upcoming shows.
Check out their 2023 album, “Burdened Youth,” and their most recent single, “Masq” now streaming on all platforms! Be sure to follow en | MASSE on all social media platforms to stay up to date on their latest releases and show dates.
