Only four months into 2015, and Secrets have already had a busy year. On top of their extensive tour with The Devil Wears Prada (dates below), the band also just released their Renditions EP, which includes four reworked tracks from their previously released record, Fragile Figures and one brand new song, “What’s Left Of Us.” With so much already under their belt, it’s no surprise that Secrets are already looking forward to what’s next.
We had the chance to chat with vocalist and guitarist Richard Rogers about the new EP, tour and the bands’ plans for 2015. Check out Secrets’ new song “What’s Left Of Us” and their upcoming tour routing below!
Interview by Shannon Shumaker
First off, congrats on the release of the Renditions EP! What about it are you most excited for fans to hear?
Thank you! I’m excited for people to see a different side of the band. Most of my musical influences are bands like Brand New, Cartel and Death Cab For Cutie. I feel like that shows on this EP. I’m also excited that we have a few more songs my mom can actually listen to haha. She doesn’t like screaming.
When you’re reworking songs acoustically, what is the hardest obstacle you come across?
The hardest part was turning the screaming parts into singing parts. I also had some difficulty finding full chords for the songs. Most of the originals are comprised of basic power chords which sound really bland acoustically. It took a little bit of working, but it was worth it!
What has been the coolest or the most rewarding part about revisiting some of those songs?
The most rewarding part was finishing one of the acoustic versions and it actually not sucking haha. I tried to create acoustic versions of some of our other songs and they just didn’t sound the way I wanted them to, so when I actually finished one and enjoyed it I was extremely happy.
Do any of the songs tend to take on a new meaning when you go back and rework them again, especially in such a soft tone?
They don’t take on a new meaning for me, because I didn’t change the lyrics, but maybe they will for listeners. The songs will always have the same meaning to me, because I wrote them about something specific. The vibe of the songs is the only thing that I wanted to change.
Did you have a favorite track to rework?
“Dance of the Dead” was probably my favorite to rework.
“What’s Left Of Us” is the new song on the EP – can you tell us a little bit about it?
I have been with my wife for 6 years now and life can weigh heavy on a relationship, especially when you add all of the distance created from being in a touring band. “What’s Left of Us” is about how I felt in a specific situation in our relationship. It’s one of the most personal songs I’ve ever written.
You guys are also currently on tour with The Devil Wears Prada – how has tour been so far?
This tour has been amazing so far. The coolest thing about this tour is that all of my friends and I actually listened to The Devil Wears Prada and Born Of Osiris when I was in high school, and now that I get to tour with them and they are all really nice guys – it’s just awesome!
With a little over another month left of the tour, what are you guys most excited about?
Home, family, friends and my cat
With the Renditions EP out and Fragile Figures over a year old now, what’s next for Secrets? Do you guys have any other big plans for 2015?
Fragile Figures is 2 years old. I’m excited to work a little more on our full length and for people to hear what we have been working so hard on.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you for all the support and I hope you enjoy Renditions as much as I enjoyed writing it.
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UPCOMING TOUR DATES
Apr 09 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Irving Plaza – New York, NY
Apr 10 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Palladium – Worcester, MA
Apr 11 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Corona Theatre – Montreal, Canada
Apr 13 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, Canada
Apr 14 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Anthology – Rochester, NY
Apr 15 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Mr. Small’s – Pittsburgh, PA
Apr 16 – Zombie 5 Tour @ House of Blues – Chicago, IL
April 18 – Madison Live – Covington, KY (Headline show)
April 19 – Hi Tone Cafe – Memphis, TN (Headline show)
April 23 – Backbooth – Orlando, FL (Headline show)
April 25 – Joe’s Pasta – Charleston, SC (Headline show)
Apr 27- Zombie 5 Tour @ The Cone Denim Entertainment Center -Greensboro, NC
Apr 29 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Broadberry – Richmond, VA
Apr 30 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Chameleon Club – Lancaster, PA
May 01 – Zombie 5 Tour @ The Chance – Poughkeepsie, NY
May 02 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Webster Theater – Hartford, CT
May 03 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Waiting Room – Buffalo, NY
May 04- Outpost Concert Club – Kent, OH (Headline show)
May 05 – Zombie 5 Tour @ The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
May 06 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Fubar – St Louis, MO
May 08 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Mill City Nights – Minneapolis, MN
May 09 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Bourbon Theatre- Lincoln, NE
May 10 – Zombie 5 Tour @ Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
May 12 – Zombie 5 Tour @ The Granada Theatre – Lawrence, KS
May 13 – Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA (Headline show)
May 14 -The Castle Theatre – Bloomington, IL (Headline show)
May 17 – Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM (Headline Show)