Faking It With The Army, The Navy
Pleaser sat down with the band to chat about their debut album Fake Brave Life and what it means to publish art when your confidence is wavering.
PHOTOS BY EMILY ENTZ
I’ve always been fond of the phrase “fake it ‘till you make it.” It reminds me that even those who seem to exude an effortless confidence may be putting in work behind the scenes to create that image. Maia Ciambriello and Sasha Goldberg, the duo that make up The Army, The Navy, told Pleaser Magazine that the notion of finding bravery, especially when you feel scared or unsure, was a catalyst for their debut album Fake Brave Life. The record, released on June 12, is 11 tracks of both personal anecdotes and fiction-driven narratives that represent created confidence.
While the whole album explores this idea, the final and titular track, “Fake Brave,” most obviously conveys what it means to be fake brave in the eyes of The Army, The Navy. Goldberg said the song is about jumping off of a metaphorical cliff; taking a risk and learning to survive. To be brave even though things feel uncomfortable. To have confidence in a decision you’re not sure about. To do it anyway.
As someone who continuously makes hard choices and, sometimes, puts on a confident and self-assured attitude, the closing lyrics are especially endearing.
Am I still brave if I’m faking it?
I’m faking it, this life I live
You think I’m brave but I’m faking it
I’m faking it, this life I live
Am I still the person others perceive me to be if I don’t actually believe in my own plan? Will the truth eventually be revealed? Does everyone feel this way? I don’t know. But, I am comforted by the fact that even those as successful as Ciambriello and Goldberg are feeling the same emotions.
For The Army, The Navy, their own emotional cliff jump was actually releasing this album. Goldberg explained that in its early stages, songwriting was an outlet not originally intended to be shared. After rushing to release their first two EPs from a clamoring of fan interest on social media, Fake Brave Life was the first time the two sat down to intentionally write a record. With their dedication to vulnerability and honesty in their art, they realized they needed to be brave. Brave enough to put their work into the world. Brave enough to accept the criticism and judgement that comes with any form of public media. Brave enough to share their authentic selves. Or, at least, fake it. “That’s really where the name ‘Fake Brave’ comes from.” Goldberg said.
Other than manufactured confidence, Goldberg and Ciambriello said physical location was another important component of Fake Brave Life and their work in general. The two grew up in Marin County, California, right outside of San Francisco. While they had known of each other for a majority of their lives, they became friends in New Orleans, Louisiana during their college years. They both studied songwriting and were roommates, initially working on songs individually but eventually found themselves working together. Now living in Los Angeles, California, the duo noted that all three places have influenced their work in different ways.
Goldberg said the two have a hard time encapsulating New Orleans in a way that feels natural. Despite it being the birthplace of their friendship and of the band itself, they’ve never written about NoLa specifically. “Our love for music and songwriting really blossomed there. It’s always going to be the biggest source of inspiration without being the content of what we’re talking about,” she explained.
Ciambriello added that each place holds a special spot to them, fitting together like puzzle pieces that make up The Army, the Navy. San Francisco and the beauty of its natural world inspires them to ground their work in tangible space, New Orleans is the birthplace of the band, and, presently where they reside, Los Angeles was where the two, “really started to hustle and take this job seriously.”
Part of growing as a band included moving from self-produced demos to professionally produced projects, which includes Fake Brave Life. Recording tracks in a studio posed a bit of a challenge for them, as the recording process was something the two valued as an intimate, sacred moment. “There’s something so special about sitting on your bed and writing this song with your best friend, and recording it with just your two voices and an acoustic guitar,” Ciambriello said. Inevitably, including others in the process meant more opinions, suggestions, and changes. “I often get demo-itis and miss the way we used to produce music together, just the two of us.” she continued.
The two have gotten used to these changes, and decided to keep the writing close to their chest; they alone complete the songwriting before working on it with producers. This ensures they hold onto the sincerity and honesty they so deeply value in their work. “That’s just what works for us. That’s how we make sure we’re feeling heard,” Ciambriello said.
“We can always have that sweet, sacred moment between Sasha and I when we write the songs. But now we can also have this new thing where the songs grow, develop and have their own universes.”
PHOTOS BY EMILY ENTZ
During the songwriting process, the two rely heavily on a notebook they call “The Bible,” which contains the guitar chords and lyrics to every single The Army, The Navy song ever written. Goldberg said the current edition is their second Bible, as the first has no pages left. The two are very specific about how it should look (unlined and numbered pages are a must), and this edition is actually custom made with “The Bible,” and “The Army, The Navy,” sprawled across the cover. It’s also baby pink. Yes, I did see it during our Google Meet interview, and yes, I do feel special having seen it with my own eyes. “We don’t take it everywhere because it’s truly our baby,” Ciambriello said.
In writing Fake Brave Life, Ciambriello and Goldberg relied on both stories that center their lives and fictional ballads of entirely made-up people. On the fiction side, the duo said track one, “Becky,” was a story they wrote that has “nothing to do with us,” Goldberg explained. Sonically, the duo put their naturally ethereal sound front and center, leaning into the light and airy tones of their voices. “Becky” opens with a distant bass line, rising alongside an angelic echo that approaches slowly and methodically. Dream pop elements of an echoing guitar and reverbed piano chords enhance the light, glowing feel. The drum beat keeps the track grounded, highlighting the contrast between light and heavy sounds.
Lyrically, the track traces Becky’s life, which seems successful from an outside perspective, but loneliness lingers beneath the surface. The first verse paints the picture: a college graduate with a Master’s degree. Someone seemingly on the straight and narrow still struggles with living up to the expectations of others. The refrain summarizes, “He was holy, still as water / He was lonely, he was smothered.” Describing Becky as holy highlights his outward appearance as a high achiever. Juxtaposed with lyrics of his loneliness, listeners get a sense that he’s smothered by the version of himself others want him to be.
Even though “Becky” isn’t about them specifically, I think the themes are still relevant to the struggles The Army, The Navy discuss in their discography. Speaking of, Ciambriello said the fourth track on Fake Brave Life, “2 Collide,” was stripped entirely from her life. The lyrics emphasize the importance of standing on your own two feet, recognizing what you need in a relationship and sticking to it. The repeating chorus emphasizes the message, “I’m not gonna drop to my knees and give you what you want / This time, hell no.”
The sound of “2 Collide,” is similar to “Becky,” and other tracks on the record. The guitar chords bounce from side to side with a bassline keeping the track centered. The build to the chorus is slightly more dramatic, rising to a percussion-driven crescendo complete with a tasteful high hat.
Having just completed their first headline tour “Gentle Hellraiser,” the two spoke highly of the opportunity to play songs that mean so much to them to an audience who appreciates their sound. Goldberg even admitted that while touring is hard work (i.e. car battery dying unexpectedly, instruments breaking, and driving thousands of miles across the country), it was worth it to sing with their fans. “It was so special,” she said. Goldberg loved every stop on tour, but she holds a special spot for the Detroit, Michigan show. “It was super small and sweaty and packed. The energy was palpable.”
The two also ventured to Europe and Australia for this run. It was a surreal feeling to play sold out shows to crowds in different countries, according to the duo. “Hearing people sing our songs in different accents was so cool,” Goldberg said.
“There’s something so special that I wish I could preserve about the first time. Put it in a glass jar and just peek at it sometimes.”
Ciambriello added that in Paris, France, the two were stopped on the street by fans. “I remember being totally rocked by that. It's so surreal having audiences to places that we haven't even been. So far from the genesis of our music. I don't know if that feeling will ever fade.”
State side, The Army, The Navy is opening eight shows for Lord Huron this July. Catch them if you can! And check out Fake Brave Life.
