Having just released their new record, 'Learn To Leave', we spoke to Californian melodic hardcore band, 'My Iron Lung' about their inspirations and progression as a band over the past few years, as well as what their hopes are for the future.
How would you describe this record compared to previous releases? It seems as though you have really found your own sound and energy, do you feel this is the case?
”I think when you compare our new record to previous releases, you’d find that our most recent songs are a bit more “mature” and well thought out compared to the previous material which was much more angsty and chaotic. I love both styles of writing and I don’t think we had any intentions on the change, for us it’s been a very natural progression over the past five years of the band.
“We’ve toured quite a bit and have had the opportunity to travel with bands like Bane, Comeback Kid, and Silverstein. It’s been a learning process and I think between travelling and playing the amount of shows we have, it’s really helped us to find what works and what doesn’t in a live setting. We’re all very happy with our new record and really enjoyed writing it, today is only our second day of tour but it’s already been really refreshing to play new songs live.”
Who are your favourite bands right now, are you inspired by current bands?
“We’re all over the place with what we listen to, I don’t think we stick to any one genre or style. This could be an endless list of artists, I can’t speak for everyone but I’ve been really into Foxing, Creative Adult, Yumi Zouma, The Japaneses House, Hop Along, Anderson Paak, Saintseneca just to name a few.”
What motivates you to keep writing, are you inspired by anything lyrically and emotionally?
“There are many times when I take weeks or months off from writing. I wouldn’t say I’m always writing but I try my best to stay an active writer both musically and lyrically. I’ve always been very attentive to lyrics on other bands’ records. I spend the majority of time on drives just listening to music and reading the lyrics. So to answer your question, I’ve always been very inspired by other artists. I love creativity and meeting the individuals who create. It’s always been inspiring to watch, read, and listen to what others are feeling.”
There are a few repeating lyrical hooks in the new record, are there any particular themes which you’ve based the record on?
“It wasn’t really planned but the title ‘Learn To Leave’ really is the theme of the record. It’s very broad and vague, but I really do believe that in many cases, an individual that is unhappy with where they are in life has the ability to pick up and leave, to find something new, better, and more suiting to their needs and wants. I’ve spent so much time contemplating life decisions over and over again and I’ve always really believed that if I wasn’t progressing as a person in my current situation that it was time to leave. It’s vague but I believe this can apply to almost any situation or problem.”
You release quite unusual artwork and video concepts alongside your music. Is this something you have a keen interest in?
“I think we’ve always approached this band as more of an art project than just a music group. We’re always experimenting with different and unusual ways of presenting our music and ways to use other art forms to compliment our music. As a band, you’re always promoting or trying to advertise something new, I figured if we’re going to have to do promotion and stuff online, it might as well be artistic and have an aesthetic. We’ve had a tonne of help accomplishing our artistic ideas with our best friend Hal Hales (nowHere, Trey the Ruler). He’s been there since the beginning of our touring career and has really made an impact on everything we do.”
There are rumours you are touring Europe and the UK in the winter, are you excited to be playing and travelling in new places?
“We’re always excited to travel and play music outside of where we live, especially if it’s a new city that none of us have ever been to. We’ve been really fortunate to be able to travel internationally, it’s still a mind blowing experience every time we go play a foreign country. We will always love that aspect of being in a band. We do have plans to travel internationally very soon, but can’t really say too much!”
What are your hopes for the future of the band, particularly in the next year or so?
“Since our new album just came out we plan on staying on tour for the next year or so. We have some fun visual projects we’re working on as well. Besides that i’d guess we’ll be writing on and off tour as well as trying to keep up with our personal lives.”
‘Learn To Leave’ is available now via Pure Noise Records
ALEX HALL