There’s something so special about a band whose music feels like a movie, and World’s First Cinema may as well have invented that craft! Every song is like hitting play a new major cinematic feature. And one that you’re going to talk about for the next three months at least! The duo, which is made up of Fil Thorpe (previously of Neck Deep) and John Sinclair (also known as Saint Claire), came together to create a masterful music experience! Their upcoming EP Palm Reader plays on these skills. Add in their seamless lyricism, and you’ve got one of our favorite releases yet!
We had the chance to talk to World’s First Cinema and really dig into their brains about all things Palm Reader. So grab a chair and a bag of popcorn, and let’s dive into their cinematic universe to prepare you for the EP’s release on October 8th!
First and foremost, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! We’re excited to talk about the cinematic universe that is World’s First Cinema. Before we buzz in, go ahead and introduce yourselves to our readers and let them know what your music is all about!
Very stoked to be here, and excited to share more of our sound with you! It really is just like you said – we’re busy building a cinematic world of music that people can get completely lost in.
You guys have spoken before about how you create masterful dark fantasies within your songs. Can you tell us about one of your favorite fantasy storylines off your upcoming EP, Palm Reader?
Holy Water is a favorite of mine. It paints one person’s journey as they walk towards the end of their life, and talk with other lost souls along the way. Throughout each verse, we begin to realize that the hardships they endured had meaning, and helped to shape a life well-lived.
Speaking of creating masterful horror-like fantasies – the instrumentals and production really are a highlight in your storytelling. What is the process like for you guys when you’re creating those instrumentals?
Fil is really the mastermind behind those textures! We usually start with a sort of ‘bed’ or ‘blueprint’ that I lay out, giving the song its feel and direction. And then Fil builds this incredible structure around it, creating this huge cinematic sound to complement the writing. Lastly, we layer in the violin and choir so it weaves around the production.
Your first EP, Rituals, was a COVID release. So the difference in creating and promoting it had to have been insanely different for you, we’d imagine! Was there a difference in the creative process for this record that you feel positively impacted this EP?
To be honest, we’ve had this record finished for a VERY long time, and we’re just excited to have it out there! I wouldn’t say the creative process has been insanely different, but finally having it out in the world after hearing these songs on our hard drives for months and months has been a great weight lifted off our shoulders.
We’ve seen the way you guys create an insane live experience! With that said – we can’t even imagine what a Palm Reader World’s First Cinema Tour would look like! Do you guys have any tour plans in the works that we’re allowed to know about?
Nothing we’re allowed to see as of yet, but we’re extremely excited to be out on the road soon! The stage is really where this project thrives. It comes alive out there.
What track is a personal highlight for each of you on Palm Reader?
John: S.O.S. is a personal highlight, especially after we played it at Chain Reaction in Anaheim. Ridiculously fun to see it come off so well live.
Fil: They all mean a lot for different reasons but I’d say Palm Reader Is a personal highlight. Feels like a really strong representation of our sound and showcases our unique production perspective and tone. It’s a really fun track!
Given how big of an influence film is for you both, it’s only right we ask the hard questions at hand. What are each of your top 3 film picks?
John: Fil is the real film buff between the two of us, but I do have a few that hit close to home. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and specifically its soundtrack, was one of the reasons I became interested in cinematic music to begin with. Does that count as three?
Fil: Always a tough question but…The Prestige, Arrival, and Ex Machina are top picks for me. All hitting very different flavors, but these are three movies I will always watch
Can you summarize Palm Reader in the style of a film synopsis?
A lonely traveler wanders through a darkened wood, moonlight tickling his traveler’s boots through the whispering canopy. He comes across an inn, perched on the edge of the clearing ahead. Tired and weary, he seeks shelter within and sinks to the bottom of a strong drink. As he muses on what he has loved and lost a traveling fortune teller takes his palms and reads the lines etched through his skin, granting him wisdom in the face of uncertainty.
There’s a little something for everybody in World First Cinema, and we think that ‘S.O.S.’ and ‘Palm Reader’ truly prove this on their own. What do you believe it is within your sound that makes it something anyone could enjoy?
When you hear us for the first time, I hope it’s a little unexpected. Familiar enough to pull you in, but peculiar enough to keep you intrigued and guessing.
Alright, last question, we promise! What are you hoping people come out of listening to Palm Reader feeling?
We really just want people to be able to fall into an entirely different world when they drop the needle on this record. I want this project to be an escape for those with vivid imaginations, much like a fantasy novel or an epic film.
Thank you again to World’s First Cinema for taking the time to chat with us and answer all our questions! It’s beyond safe to say we have our calendars circled and marked for October 8th! What do you guys think about ‘Palm Reader?’ Let us know in the comments below! Or you can let us know by sending us a Tweet on Twitter @thehoneypop! Or on Instagram or Facebook!
And hey, since you’re here, check out more of our exclusive interview content!
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