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- Hey guys! Check this out, it's an interview Ryan done with Pitchfork. Decent little insight into what to expect on the record. Very happy with the write up they gave us too! MLC xo Quote:MLC frontman Ryan Williams gives us the low-down on 'Secrets''An empty apartment, a bottle of whiskey and a guitar wrote this record' When we think of the pre-production process of a new album, our heads usually sway to an image of an artist in a studio with producers and extras, practicing and writing new tracks. As a matter of fact, that happens often. Misery Loves Company done the same thing for debut album Two Sides To The Story which was a major commercial success and gave teenagers everywhere a sore head from head banging, and their parents a migraine from listening to the bands infectious, upbeat pop-punk tunes. So, one might ask, why do anything different the next time around? Stick to what your comfortable with and what actually is going to make you a very, very rich man. However Misery Loves Company wanted to drift away from the pop-punk scene gracefully, unfortunately due to their large following they were always going to have questions to answer when album number two came around the block. The band will be the first to tell you that they were not happy with their last album, although rarely an artist will admit they loved their album, Misery Loves Company truly believed the album shouldn't have been so much of a success. When we caught up with drummer Josh Heyler before the recording of the new album 3-4 months ago, he told us that the band were "fighting" against their management and label for full control on the upcoming record. The past album had many producers, mixers and even several co-writers something Misery Loves Company weren't entirely happy with. Luckily, their wish was granted. The band were permitted to do the new album in there own terms; no external input without their permission. Immediately after hearing this the band entered the studio - a farmhouse in Phoenix, Arizona - alongside producer and fried Colby Wilson were they recorded sophomore album, Secrets. The recording process involved them cutting themselves off from the outside world for 16 hours a day as they battled to make an album which best depicted their sound. For most fans, this would be the worst thing to ever happen to Misery Loves Company. To others, including ourselves here at Culture Uncut, it would prove to be the making of Misery Loves Company. What the band have created in Secrets is 11 beautifully heart-wrenching tracks which pull all the right strings (pun intended). Written largely with an acoustic guitar, each track sounds warm yet full of soul and emotion. When we received an early copy of the album we fell in love with it instantly, it took some serious will power to stop hitting the repeat button as each song passed. We caught up with Ryan Williams, the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the band who wrote ALL of the songs himself. We quizzed him on what the album was essentially about, the writing/recording process and what is the next steps in what promises to be a long career for the band. Ryan first of all, can you give us a concrete release date for 'Secrets' yet?
Ryan: Yes! Secrets will be release May 24th. It's been a bit of a struggle settling on a release date, but we've got there!
Good stuff! The album is titled 'Secrets', what is the meaning behind that?
Ryan: Well for the past year or so instead of being honest with myself and others, ive bottled up all of my feelings and kept them tight. I was so worried that people people would find out, or if they did find out how they would react to it all. So for the writing process I told myself I would be as honest and open as I could, just vent out on paper. As a result we wrote maybe 15-25 songs which all had a place close to my heart.
How did you become honest with yourself for the writing process? What was the key?
Ryan: Everyones different from everyone else, but I have a real difficulty of opening up or, telling someone how I feel or doing what I feel is right. It's not fear of judgment or because im scared, im way passed caring about those. But it's rather a question of 'what does this mean?'. If I do this, then what will it do to this, or this, or that. I really over think things. So around December/January time, I found myself with no plans and stuck in my cold apartment during the Winter. So I cracked out my guitar and a bottle of whiskey and got really emotional for about a week. I started feeling sorry for myself and even brought myself to tears whilst writing the record!
So we can expect some personal songs on the record?
Ryan: Yeah definitely. I mean, to others they may not grab you or pull you in like they do to me or to and Josh. But what your getting is 11 brutally honest tracks out there for you. You guys already covered one of the tracks which I got a little emotional over playing live, that is really touching song and one which I will probably never perform live again! It contains a lot of songs written in a 3rd person narrative, I took myself out of my own body and rather watched myself through a window.
And then recording. How was it recording in a farmhouse with limited equipment?
Ryan: Well I wouldn't say we had limited equipment. We had everything we needed and required to complete the record the way we wanted to, so resources were not a problem. But recording in there was really fun! it was really intimate and we actually had a power cut a few times, so we lit candles up and just performed in the dark which was incredible! We also brought in our good friend Colby Wilson from Alaskan Sunrise - who we'll also be on tour with next month - and he was awesome. He had the same vision as us and was prepared to listen and really just, help create our record.
Finally, what is in store for the future of MLC? We know your contract with current label Studio60 is up soon, will you be renewing it?
Ryan: That's a touchy subject! Nahh, im kidding. We don't know, genuinely. We haven't had much contact from Studio60 regarding this whole situation and to be honest, we haven't really been thinking about it either. The idea of doing everything ourselves from now on is tempting and sounds like a route we'd like to go, but we're ruling nothing out. For now we're just happy to get this album out and to hear the reaction!
MISERY LOVES COMPANY - SECRETS (RELEASED MAY 24th)
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