By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Thursday, January 23, 2020
State Function is the solo project from Liam Frank, based out of Highland Park, New Jersey. His first release is a 4 song EP titled Suspended Animation. Released in November of 2019, this EP started its life in the fall of 2017. With the help of friends and the honing of his own skills as a songwriter, Suspended Animation is a strong debut release. After a couple listens, I reached out to Liam to ask him how this project came to be and what it means to him. Thanks again, Liam!
What is State Function to you? The band, name, etc.
State Function, to me, means individuality and being true to yourself, it means self-awareness, it means being human and being inspired by life around you. I came up with the name because I really enjoy science, and a State Function (or function of state) is a property in a thermodynamic system that matters solely on its present equilibrium state, and the past pathways it took and forces that acted upon it do not matter. I relate that a lot to my outlook on life as a whole. Making the most of your present and your present surroundings; all we have is right now.
When did you start working on your EP Suspended Animation?
I started working on the EP in the fall of 2017. I always had a vision for the project and for the sound, but I was never able to translate those ideas well on my own until I finished school. I lived with some friends in Asbury Park right after college, and they were always recording something in the living room. I was always playing my guitars, but the additional gear and resources I had at my disposal through them really facilitated my musical and eventually lyrical ideas. I was able to get a lot done in the next two years and link up with more people that helped with this project because of that and because of them.
What is your songwriting process like?
A lot of trial and error, fitting things together from past ideas, a lot of messing around on guitar between the hours of 10pm and 4am. I definitely need a melody or musical part first, though. Sometimes when the trial part for a new melody is successful, I'll finish a song altogether in a couple of hours. That's what happened with the songs “Snowing” and “Elsewhere” on the EP, and those are two of my favorites. I love words and metaphors a lot since I'm such a romantic person, and I really go for imagery as well. When it comes to songwriting, my brain is this chaotic windstorm of fragmented musical and lyrical parts, but when there's a moment of clarity, it's a beautiful thing and I can get a lot done.
Were the songs written for this release written around the same time or over time?
They were definitely written over time. Like I said, some developed sooner than others, but for the ones that took longer I had ideas and pieces in mind for months and sometimes years, and they didn't come to fruition until this EP felt finished. I didn't want to rush anything, though.
Where did you record? Who played on this release?
I recorded in a lot of different places, including my old living room on Fourth Ave in Asbury Park, with my friends Will and Kevin at their respective home studios in Hunterdon County, NJ, and with my friends Craig and Alex at Craig's home studio in Stockton, NJ. I wrote and played all musical parts as well as the lyrics, except for the synth part on “Elsewhere.” Kevin played on that, and it really brought out the sound on that track. All of these guys had a hand in production and post-production, and they were totally instrumental in delivering the sound I was going for.
Favorite song on Suspended Animation?
Favorite song has to be “Snowing.” First song on the album, first single I released and first thing altogether I released myself that was a huge deal. It's a song I think really does a good job describing me. It's a positive song about learning how to let go of your past, being ready for a bright future, but also learning how to stay in the moment and keep working hard and also how to better temper your expectations. That theme is repeated in the chorus, "My heart is set on spring, but it won't stop snowing." You're ready for something better, but you have to put in work in the present and let go of the past. Because after all, all we have is this moment, a metaphor I used in the naming of the whole project!
Last thing I'd like to add: a shoutout to my brother and my parents, especially my dad, for believing in me, my art, my passion, and supporting this project so much and giving endless love to me and to everything I do.