Formerly known as A Feast for Kings, central Kentucky rock band XXI have hit the ground running, signing with Tooth & Nail Records for the release of their debut album, Inside Out. Set for release on September 18th, Inside Out is admittedly a monumental release for the band, as it seems they have put their heart and soul into the album. XXI recently teased the first single from Inside Out, titled “Say It Again,” which can be heard below, and are jumping on tour with Heartist, Burn Halo and Courage My Love in the coming weeks.
Read the entire interview and check out XXI’s tour dates below!
You’re getting ready to release Inside Out in a little over a month – what about this album are you most excited for people to hear?
We’re mostly excited to show the world what XXI is all about. We aren’t bringing meaningless lyrics or uninspired musicianship to this cd. We wrote this album with such intensity and emotion and we cannot wait to share our story with other all over the world
What does Inside Out mean to you?
Inside Out, to us, means to live a transparent life. Be honest, with yourself as well as others. Don’t be a reader, be an author. Let your true self be known and loved other than a false image.
With the new album, you also recently signed with Tooth & Nail Records. How has that relationship been so far?
Outstanding! We love the whole team over at Tooth And Nail. It’s such a surreal experience to work with the label that has been so influential to our success as musicians and artist.
How do you feel that your new material compares to your older music, back when you were A Feast for Kings?
Our new material is a lot more rock influenced than A Feast For Kings. We took a long time to change our name and completely overhaul the band. In that time we started being completely honest with our music and ourselves. We started writing music we wound want to listen to and music that we love to play live and share with everyone. The old music we wrote was amazing we just progressed and the new direction were headed is one we hope you all get excited for like how we did.
Do you feel that it’s fair for listeners to compare XXI and A Feast for Kings, or would you rather them take the new name and band as a clean slate, so to speak?
With XXI, we are offering a side of our artist abilities that you may not have gotten to see with A few Feast For Kings. That band will forever be a part of our lives, we created relationships and friendships under that name that still hold strong today as XXI. We will always love what we did then and we wouldn’t trade those times for anything.
You also recently released a little preview of your first single from the album called “Say It Again.” Can you tell us a little bit about the track?
“Say It Again” is more than just a song. It’s more than just a statement. It’s a declaration to be made over our entire generation. We as a people need to be more focused on the subject of others than ourselves. Making sure that Christ’s love for humanity is on the forefront of every decision we make, question we ask, or action we commit, every single day. The place is here, and the time is now.
Are there any songs on the album that you’re really excited for listeners to hear?
As cliché as this sounds, every song on the album is one we are excited to release. We wrote to the best of our abilities and we believe there aren’t any “black sheep” on the record. It is impossible for us to pick a favorite, or even a top 5.
You’re also getting ready to hit the road with Heartist, Burn Halo and Courage My Love soon – how excited are you for the tour?
Extremely excited! Every chance we get to show new faces our material is one we will take. The line up is pretty diverse so it will attract many different listeners to each show. We feel our music will relate to all of them so we can’t be any more excited to be on the road.
After Inside Out drops, do you have any big plans for the remainder of 2015?
We have several things that we are itching let you guys know, however, we aren’t at liberty at this time to be telling them. But, just keep your eyes peeled on all of our social medias for any and all updates.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
September 18th, Inside Out will be available everywhere! Please do us, and yourselves a favor and pick up a copy. We love each and everyone of you! -XXI
STAY CONNECTED WITH XXI: Facebook | Twitter
Official Tour Dates:
8.4 Brandon, FL @ The Music Box w/ Hearts Like Lions
8.5 Orlando, FL @ Bombshells Tavern w/ Hearts Like Lions
8.7 Marietta, GA @ Swayze’s
8.8 Nashville, TN @ Rocketown w/ Hearts Like Lions
9.13 Ft. Worth, TX @ The Rail Club w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love
9.15 San Antonio, TX @ Fitzgerald’s w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love (18+)
9.16 Austin, TX @ Dirty Dog Bar w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love (16+)
9.17 Little Rock, AK @ Juanita’s w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love
9.18 Louisville, KY @ Expo Five w/ Heartist, Burn Halo
9.19 Clarkesville, TN @ The Warehouse w/ Heartist, Burn Halo (18+)
9.20 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (downstairs) w/ Heartist, Burn Halo
9.24 Stanhope, NJ @ Stanhope House w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love
9.25 New York, NY @ Santos Party House w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love (16+)
9.26 Gardners, PA @ Deer Run Camping Resort w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love
9.27 Amityville, NY @ Revolution w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love (16+)
9.29 Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre Underground w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love
9.30 Clifton Park, NY @ Trickshots w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love
10.1 Buffalo, NY @ Waiting Room w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love
10.2 Kent, OH @ The Outpost w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love
10.3 Dayton, OH @ Rockstar Pro Arena w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love
10.4 Warren, MI @ The Ritz w/ Heartist, Burn Halo, Courage My Love