Fiddlehead, a rock band formed in 2014, will perform at Mohawk in Austin, Texas on November 16th, 2024. The group has gained recognition for its exploration of themes such as loss and grief through its music. Their latest album, "Death Is Nothing To Us," is described as a culmination of their previous works, exploring the complexities of sadness and death.
Vocalist Patrick Flynn explains his approach to the album: “I don’t want people to romanticize grief and depression, myself included,” he says. He wanted to address aspects of grief not covered in earlier albums while acknowledging the persistent nature of depressive feelings.
The band consists of Flynn, drummer Shawn Costa, guitarists Alex Henery and Alex Dow, and bassist Nick Hinsch. They collaborated with producer Chris Teti for this album to capture the energy and melody that characterize their live performances. Henery notes that they aimed for a more aggressive sound this time around: “We knew we wanted to do something a little more aggressive sounding,” he explains.
Flynn's lyrics are noted for their depth and thoughtfulness. On "Death Is Nothing To Us," his writing touches on life’s joys and tragedies while referencing philosophers like Lucretius and authors such as Jean Améry. Flynn elaborates on the title’s meaning: “It was rediscovered around The Renaissance... It’s about not allowing death to rule over life.”
Tracks like “Sullenboy” illustrate Flynn's personal struggles with depression juxtaposed against hope found in family life. Another song, “True Hardcore (II),” reflects on punk culture's influence on him.
As a history teacher in Massachusetts by day, Flynn finds parallels between his teaching career and his musical endeavors: “It’s kind of the perfect job to have for an artist’s life,” he remarks.
In "The Woes," Flynn addresses listeners directly about personal versus communal suffering: “To the strange... I can see you and me suffering silently we’re visible and we’re seen when life is everything.” This track highlights Fiddlehead's ability to tackle complex issues within concise punk songs.
The album concludes with "Going To Die," where Flynn pays tribute to lost loved ones while emphasizing life's value beyond its end: “See you on the other side I know I will But I don’t wanna die.”