Above It All, the new album from Phoenix five piece, Farewell, My Love marks a new chapter for the band. Not only is this Farewell, My Love’s first new album since 2013’s Gold Tattoos, but it is also their first release on their own label, CRCL Records, giving them more freedom than ever. With the album out on July 22nd, 2016, the band has already released two songs, “Crazy” and “Burn Out The Night” with one more music video in the works. Get a taste test of Above It All and read what the band’s Röbby Creasey had to say about the album below.
Interview by Dom Vigil
You are getting ready to release your new album, Above It All in July. What does this album mean to you?
Yes we are! This album means everything, each song on it feels like a part of me. After everything we have gone through thus far in our career, it feels incredible to be about to unleash such a personal piece of art. Every bit of it is about a different life experience that someone in the band has gone through first hand so I’m very excited to share this chapter of our story.
This being Farewell, My Love’s first new release since 2013, did you have any major goals in mind for Above It All?
We are finally at the point where it feels right for this record to come out. Being completely on our own and having control over every aspect of the band plays a big role in that. We’ve always felt that our best work and ideas are conceived when the band’s hands are the only ones in the pot. Working hard at getting to this point, with our own record label and everything, definitely creates a new set of goals that we never had before. Our success now relies completely on ourselves and the support of our amazing fans.
Are there any changes or noticeable areas of growth that listeners can expect between Gold Tattoos and Above It All?
I would like to think that we have become better and more well rounded songwriters. Our vision for this record was to make a diverse, Rock ‘N Roll record infused with our theatrical styling. There are poppy songs, energetic songs, ballads, something for everyone to sing along to and enjoy in any scenario of daily life. We worked with Arizona local producer Dan Parker and he did an incredible job with helping bring out the most appropriate identity in each song. We were also very particular about the album sounding a lot more authentic and organic than anything we have done prior. In example, we had a cellist and a trumpet player come in to play the strings and horns. I also played all the piano parts on a baby grand and busted out my mandolin for a few tracks.
For Above It All, you have transitioned over to CRCL Records, which also happens to be your own label. From an artist’s standpoint, did this change give you more creative freedom on this release?
We did and we couldn’t be happier about it! Being the songwriters we are, we always keep in mind certain details pertaining to structure and the general demographic of our fanbase, but we really can do whatever we want with our own art now. There are not any time restraints unless we create them, no budgets unless we set them, we hire our own team and work with all ends of the industry we’re involved with directly. There is no middle man anymore and I think that is the biggest relief for us, we don’t have to rely on anyone but ourselves. As artists, we want to feel like we’re doing this because we love it, not because anyone needs to get a check.
What was behind the decision to make the jump into your own record label?
Something we have realized in the past couple of years, which goes for any type of business, is that if you really put your mind to something then you can figure out how to make it happen. There is no purpose in wasting time and money on other people to do something you could do if you would just research it and ask for advice once in awhile. We haven’t been a band very long, but we have learned a lot and made many friends in the industry. We still learn something new everyday, but running our own show can now be a reality because of the knowledge and resources we have retained. Plus who knows more about what we want for our own band than us?
Over the years, what is one important lesson that you’ve learned as a band? How has it affected Above It All or yourselves as musicians in general?
I think the most important thing we have learned is to have patience. In this industry, patience is the most important thing because nothing happens over night. It can take years of hard work and dedication to become a success, and we are all prepared for the long haul to make this a life long career. If you put the cart before the horse or don’t take a step back to look at the decisions you’re making in a logical way, you could end up hurting the band more than helping it.
You recently released the music video for “Crazy” – can you tell us a little bit about the song and video?
We worked with Jordan Moore on that video and it was a great experience. We shot it at this incredible dark carnival themed place in LA called CIA. We actually performed our own stunts as well, I laid on a real bed of nails, Charlee actually ate fire, etc.. It was painful but fun. The song itself is kind of about self acceptance and being comfortable in your own skin. We all have flaws, but it’s those flaws that make us the perfect us.
After “Crazy,” you released “Burn Out The Night” – can we expect any more new music before the album drops in July?
That was an incredible video to film too! We shot that one in Bristol, England on the last night of our UK tour. Which also happened to be my birthday. So the whole night was one huge celebration for everyone. We will have one more video coming out before the release of the album. I’m most excited for it because I feel it is the most defining of the new style of the band. It’ll show everyone what they’re really in for on this record cycle.
With the album release approaching, can we expect any new tour dates in the near future? Any other big plans for 2016?
The only show we currently have announced is October 22nd at Chain Reaction in Anaheim, CA with I Am Ghost. We have a lot more in the works, nationally and internationally, but nothing we can discuss publicly yet.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for the interview! Always a good time. Preorder our new record “Above It All” on iTunes and our online store. We now have a limited amount of preorder packages left so get them while you can. Thank you all for your support and for making this new chapter of our musical endeavor possible!
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