Just 12 months ago, the thought of a North American headlining tour, a number 1 album, winning best newcomer at both Chaos and Fans Choice awards, signing to a major record label, collaborating with some huge artists to name a few would never have crossed the minds of Misery Loves Company trio; Ryan Williams, Nathan Barker and Josh Heyler. Fast-forward, and tick all those boxes becasue Misery Loves Company have already made their mark despite only being on 'the scene' for a year or so.

Misery Loves Company formed back in 2007 as a 5-piece post-hardcore rock band, where members Ryan Williams, Mikey Young, Shay McCarthy, Riley Donahue and Josh Heyler would rock out at local gigs creating a flurry of mosh pits on their path. It wasn't until 2 years, later when they started realizing that the final straw of making it as a successful band. This brought some of the toughest times for the band, Mikey Young had left citing "creative differences", hence the band changing to a more pop-punk sound. They continued touring, recording some demos using a laptop and microphone at each others houses. In June 2011, the band released debut single Darkest Nights independently which spread like wildfire online. The song became so popular, it charted at number 7 on the Digital Downloads chart! Within no time, the band were snapped up by major record label Studio 60 and had young female fans screaming all over the US.
Over the past 12 months, the band have achieved so much, however, things aren't always as smooth sounding as they would like. Numerous members leaving, inter-band arguments and personal reasons had in more than one occasion made the band question wether or not they should pack it up and call it a day.



Last week, we went into the studio to talk to the trio about the new record, the recording process, touring plans and much more. Although, things got a little more deeper than we had anticipated thus, we got down and personal with the boys in their most revealing and honest interview yet.

AP: Good morning morning guys! How are we all today?

Ryan: We are all live and well. A little tired and cramped up in this room, but everything is holding together pretty fine!

AP: So, where are you on creating record #2?

Nate: We are currently wrapping up the writing stage to the album and have started recording little demos here and there, but nothing serious. We're going to take a break for a few days then get straight into the recording process.



AP: You have said on numerous occasions, that your next record is going to be more 'rock' based. Is that the situation still?

Ryan: Well, I don't think we really came into the studio thinking 'ahh, we need to make a more rock album this time', we all went into this farmhouse we rented in Arizona, just sat down. No televisions, no computers just guitars, drums and books to write in. We all through a few ideas on the table and it really just came together. We have experimented with a lot of things on previous records and EP's but, I think I can now finally say, we have reached the sound that we can call 'us'. I think this record will portray us in the most accurate way possible.

AP: So, are there any surprises to be found on the record?

Josh: I don't know about surprises, but there is a lot to look forward too! It's still a little area but we're getting some crazy good vibes, playing some instruments we've never played or even heard off before also!



AP: This new record then, will be very different to your previous material?

Ryan: I don't know if it'll be "very different". Its still the same band, only we're trying to sound more raw and less polished. Trying to hit that sound that we've been searching for, for the past 5 or so years. We're still so very grateful for the response our debut got, it was incredible and we can't thank everyone who helped contribute to that enough. We never thought the dream would become reality, but after the release of that.. it really left us amazed.

AP: Any hints on what it will sound like?

Nate: Ryan always said that he wanted to explore a little country and wanted to add in a real Southern styled guitar riff. So, we sat down and tried to fit in somewhere but it just didn't sound right anywhere. It sounded false. So, we dropped the idea and just moved on. But then we wrote the, well, at the minute the 'album opener' and just though 'wow, this is crazy'. So we tried creating a riff for it then after a while, Ryan nailed this super catchy riff. It has a real Southern tinge and is really different to anything we've previously done, but we love it! But in all, I think the record will feature more acoustic friendly songs, and when we say more 'rock' we really mean just edging away from pop-punk. There are still going to be many old-school MLC on the record though.

AP: Lyrically, whats the album sounding like?

Ryan: I always try making the lyrics as honest as possible or as personal as they could be and its really no different here. There are way more up-beat songs written this time round though, but still some old school MLC in there too! I really dug deep on life experiences and some things came out were really, really personal to me. Ive got a song in there about my friend, who ah, committed suicide when I was in high-school, a song about my incredible Mom and about a heartbreak that I will never get over! We've tried to avoid mainstream lyrics as much as possible.

AP: Your a band that never shy away from a ballad, have you written much?

Ryan: Well, I do love writing a good ol' ballad! Yeah, we've wrote around 16 songs for the record, now obviously they won't all be on it, but we'll record them all and pick out the ones we want to use. But, yeah I have written a few ballads here and there. This time round though, expect a cut down on them. I feel like my writing style has improved along with our sound over the time too.

AP: So, who are you blasting in the studio to get some influence?

Ryan: We listen to a lot of music! But we've been really digging a lot of Ryan Ross Hernandez' stuff, Katie Coyle, Reported Failure, Nadia Berry, Aaron Marks, the new girl Bianca. Really anything! Getting a lot of influences but the record will be unique and way different from the music that most of those artists make!

AP: Have you got any release dates in head?

Josh: Its too early to say, but as Ryan was misquoted with earlier in the week, we hope to get it out before Summer. We're going to be playing on the Vans Warped Tour, which is super awesome! It's always been a tour we've dreamed of playing and now we are. Super stoked for that. But yeah, before Summer preferably maybe April or May time.

AP: Total Annihilation 5. Sum it up.

Nate: Really, really incredible. And an honor to share the stage with some of those names. The kids were fantastic, never stopped singing along, was amazing.

AP: Your bassist Riley Donahue left the band before Christmas. Why and have you any plans to fill the space?

Ryan: Riley left due to personal reasons. The statement that was released by our management was half-correct, he was about to start a family and didn't think he could mange both being in a band and being a father so backed out. If we're being honest though, there was a lot of tension in the band throughout November when we were on tour. The whole band almost broke up, over stupid arguments. Times were tough during that tour, we were so close to ending it and Riley just had enough. We respect his decision and wish him all the best with everything though.



AP: During that tour, what made you think the bands demise was on the horizon?

Ryan: The silliest little thing would annoy one of us, and after that we'd start fighting over really stupid things. Around 3/4 the way through we all became like strangers, didn't talk to each other, didn't look at each other. In truth we kind of avoided each other when possible! Then, there was this one night we had all just arrived in the hotel room in Florida after a grueling show, and someone said something that really just tipped the iceberg for me and I just kicked off. A full scale argument broke out amongst the band and management, it was crazy. I just said, 'right, ive had enough'. I just couldn't take anymore. I went into my room and packed my stuff and starting crying my eyes out down the phone to my Mom. I told her ive had enough with this band, im leaving and starting a new one. She was just like to me, "Im going to hang up now. When you have calmed down and realized what a stupid mistake you are about to make, call me back". I don't think she realized how much that affected me. I came out to the rest of them, it was so subdued. And we started talking, it was then when Riley said that after the tour.. he'll be leaving Misery Loves Company. That sort of put an end to the arguing from then though.

AP: Josh, you were in the limelight back in August for your personal life. Did that test the band?

Josh: It did. I had been going out, getting wasted, taking drugs with my friends and just having fun. I then met Kate, who im currently dating. We hit off, and hooked up. A few days later she told me that we were over, that she was going back to her ex.. who hated(s) me by the way. And everything really escalated out of proportion. The papers were all over it, my management were telling me to get out of the media eye but I couldn't. Then again, the band we're about to do a short tour and I pulled out of it. The rest of the guys were understandably pissed at me. It had been something they had been waiting to do for ages! I backed out, and it caused even more negative attention. I questioned on whether it was best for me to quit the band or not. Me and Ryan had a deal in place that if one of us left MLC.. we'd disband MLC. So, it was really tough for me, and on the rest of the band.



AP: Nathan, what was your reaction when you found out the band wanted you to replace Shay?

Nate: I was in shock to start with. I was playing in Chasing The Sun along with Ryan's sister Lily and we never really got going, it struggled so much for one reason or another. Then one day at practice, Lily came in and told me that Ryan wanted me to join MLC. I was like 'Uh, can you repeat that?'. I couldn't believe it. So I flew out to LA the next day and met up with the guys, we started jamming and the following day they offered me a place in the band as an official member. It was one of the best days of my life.

AP: How is the bands relationship now?

Ryan: Never better. We are always going to have minor hiccups and obstacles on the road, but we know each other and love each other so much now that we get over it all. Couldn't be in a band with any better guys, which is why we are stuck on whether to add a new member or not! But yeah, the band is great and were so excited for the future.

AP: Great stuff guys. Its always nice to see an honest band informing their fans of everything that is going on, the goods and bad. You can see how strong your bond is, and I hope, and don't think it will ever be broken! Finally though, what's the plans for the next 6 months.

Ryan: Next 6 months. Hit the studio and get this baby recorded, edited, produced etc. Hopefully get it out there and released before Summer time, maybe release a single or 2 in the coming months. We have promised to tour the UK in March or April so that is a must. Then after the album release we will be on the road again, supporting the album before we play Warped Tour all summer! So excited for the future, everything is coming together great!

AP: Ryan, Nathan, Josh thank you all very much for taking the time to speak with us. We wish you all the best with this record and in the future. We hope to join you again before the actual release of the album. Thank you once again.


(Misery Loves Company)