Symmetry/Symmetry is a ‘science fiction indie rock’ band from the PNW, made up of good friends Daniel Jones, Joel Uram, and Andrew T. Quackenbush. They have been making music together since September 2004, according to drummer Andrew, who is also their ‘documentarian,’ as the other members joke. The band got its clever name from one of Daniel’s independent demos recorded several years earlier. Joel found the demo particularly interesting and wanted to continue using it. Since then, the trio has been performing together as Symmetry/Symmetry. “It's been 18 years of making music together… I've said no to a lot of projects but something about this one just felt special,” said Andrew, and the rest is history.
Symmetry/Symmetry
Symmetry/Symmetry
Their new release, Interference, showcases years of collaboration and hard work. Although recorded in roughly three days, the album took nearly six years to mix and master. The band recorded most of the EP together live, which posed a unique new challenge when it came to editing it all together, said Daniel. “The mics had lots of, well, interference, which was a fun box to work our way out of.”
The album explores several concepts and themes, as hinted at by the title. “I would like to say ‘It means whatever it means to you,’ which it certainly can. The word itself has lots of different facets, which is what ultimately made me drawn to it,” said Daniel.
Many of the songs on this album have been performed live for some time, but are only now getting recorded. One song, “Letters to Home” written by Daniel, has been in the group's setlist rotation for years. It was not a song he felt strongly about, but when recording it for the album, Joel felt that “it brought the song new life.” He now considers it one of his favorite tracks of the new release.
Along with the older songs, Interference presents some new material. Inspired by bands like Radiohead and Bjork, it features some heavier-sounding ballads with a jazz-inspired rhythm. “Jazz is a serious love for me, the guys are laughing at me, but rhythmically we tried to capture that improvisational sound, that flow,” said Andrew. That flow can be heard throughout the album, alongside other sonic features new to the band.
Daniel is particularly excited for people to hear the string arrangement featured on “All We Know.” He had never written anything for strings before, but with time and practice, as well as help from a few cellists and viola-playing friends, he managed to fine-tune his arrangement into an unmistakable sound he can’t wait for fans to hear.
When asked about what aspects of the new album stuck out to them as particularly special, all three members brought attention to Joel’s piano part in “Hello the Life.”
“Joel recorded live grand piano, as well as vocals without a click track or anything, which is a truly amazing piece of musicianship,” said Daniel.
Joel spent several hours working alone — just him, a microphone, and the piano. “It was fun being a nerd by myself into the wee hours of the night.”
Symmetry/Symmetry: Interference is available to purchase at Drum Bug Music in Pringle Plaza. Get a digital version at symmetrysymmetry.com
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 22 (Winter 2024/25)