Interview by Eric Campi
T ext by Daniel Dystyler
Just before landing in Brazil, the American band A Day To Remember is eagerly anticipating playing at Lollapalooza.
The band, comprised of Jeremy McKinnon on vocals, Neil Westfall and Kevin Skaff on guitars, Joshua Woodard on bass, and Alex Shelnutt on drums, is preparing to release their seventh studio album, You're Welcome , and Wikimetal had the opportunity to talk to Westfall about his expectations for playing at the festival, the album release, and more. Read the full interview below.
WIKIMETAL: You guys have been super busy lately with recordings and shows. How was the recording of the new album?
NEIL WESTFALL: The recording sessions for the new album were incredible. We were able to record in our hometown [Ocala, Florida], with our people, so it's turning out amazing.
WM: The album was supposed to come out last month, but we heard the date was postponed. How's it going? Can we expect the album soon?
NW: We're still finalizing the artwork and cover. The concept has changed a few times, but we're getting there. We're also finishing the mixes. Some things had to be fixed. It will be ready very soon.
WM: No release date yet, right?
NW: That's right.
WM: You're going to play at Lollapalooza, accompanied basically only by pop bands, with the exception of Guns N' Roses. How do you feel about that?
NW: It's incredible! It's going to be great to play at Lollapalooza in Brazil. We've always wanted to do this. ADTR has never fit into a single style. So playing at a festival where people like other styles is really good for us.
WM: There's that old question: why do you think rock and metal are left out at these festivals? What do you think of the metal and rock scene today?
NW: I don't know… I think we're left out because it's difficult for people who like pop to come into contact with rock bands and get to know them based on recommendations from things like Spotify, you know? So it's a good thing to have this mix at Lollapalooza and give people the chance to discover them.
WM: And you're going to play a show of your own here in Brazil too , right? What can the fans expect?
NW: We love South America, the fans are the most incredible. This is going to be one of the best shows of our tour, without a doubt, because it will be just our fans, we'll be able to interact in a much more intimate way. It's going to be amazing!
WM: We have to talk about Homesick . I think it's one of those albums that's perfect from beginning to end, and it's already over a decade old. How do you feel about it?
NW: It feels like it was just yesterday that we finished Homesick . It's incredible to know that so much time has passed already. And it's amazing to know that it means so much to so many people. Because it means a lot to us.
WM: And has the way you compose music changed since Homesick ?
NW: The way we write songs has been the same since Homesick . It's always about something we're feeling at the moment. Maybe the inspirations have changed a little. We're a little older. But the process is the same.
WM: You guys are always trying different things, experimenting with new things. Do you think your sound has changed?
NW: I think we're better at combining things, at mixing different influences and parts. If we're trying to achieve a certain type of sound, I think we're better at getting there now. We communicate better about what we want to achieve and how to do it. It's still a very rewarding process. We get really excited when we do something cool. Like, "Wow! That turned out amazing!", you know?
WM: Music can be very powerful and help people get through difficult times in life. How do you feel knowing that you can offer this to people?
NW: It's incredible that other people find themselves in the things we create. There are many bands that do that for me. Music has always done that for all of us. Sometimes we don't have the words to express what we feel, or we don't even know exactly what we're feeling. And sometimes we listen to music that does that for us. We listen to a sound that makes us feel better or helps us understand a feeling. The album Stay What You Are by the band Saves The Day is possibly one of the main albums that I listen to basically whenever I have… uhm… any feeling, you know? One of the most emotional albums for me.
WM: To conclude, do you have any message for your Brazilian fans?
NW: We are so excited to be able to return. We love Brazil, we love South America. We hope to come back whenever possible!
