INTERVIEW: Yellowcard

We had a chat with Yellowcard’s Ryan Key to find out about their upcoming new album, guest vocals, Warped Tour and whether there are plans for a UK tour in the pipeline…

Your new album is released in August, can you tell us a bit about it?
It is our third full length recording in less than two years. It has to be one of the most inspired albums we’ve ever made. There is an amazing energy throughout, and every song really stands on its own.

The writing process started swiftly after your previous world tour, was it hard not having any ‘down time’?
With all the momentum from last year we just rolled right into the process. We felt it was important to capitalize on all of the amazing things have accomplished with ‘When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes’ by not stepping away for even a moment.

What was the primary inspiration behind the album?
I spent almost three years back on the East Coast living closest to my family, being away from the band lifestyle. It was a very cathartic experience for me that put a lot of things in life back in focus. A lot of this record is inspired by letting go of the past and remembering what’s most important to me.

It features Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low), Cassadee Pope (Hey Monday) and Tay Jardine (We Are The In Crowd) on guest vocals, how did you get them involved?
We toured extensively last year with all of them, so it was easy to just call them and ask. We felt like it would be cool to have some new friends be a part of our next chapter.

Which vocalist would you most like to work with?
Dave Grohl. He is definitely a hero of mine.

When you took a hiatus in 2008 did you think you’d be back releasing records today?
I knew I’d be making music. I wasn’t sure in what capacity. I’m really glad that it turned out to be Yellowcard.

What made you come back with When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes?
We all felt like we’d had enough time to ourselves and everyone had the itch to get out on the road again. The time was just right.

You’re a part of this year’s Warped Tour, what sort of reaction are you expecting?
So far the reaction has been bigger and better than we could have ever imagined. Our crowds have been massive every day and they sing so loud it is sometimes hard to hear ourselves.

Since you formed in 1997, how do you think punk music has changed in that time?
I joined Yellowcard in 2000 after they’d already been a band for three years. I have never really considered us to be a punk band. At least not since I started Erik G songs with the band. But I think we were a part of a new wave of bands in the early 2000′s that really shaped and created a new sound. I am proud to be a part of that family of bands and super stoked that we are all still making records and touring together.

Are there any plans to come back to the UK?
Definitely! We are working on a tour for early next year that will bring us back across the pond. We can’t wait. Our last tour there with Saves the Day was so amazing. We can feel the fan base growing there again and we want make sure that continues.

Southern Air is due out on 13th August and you can pre-order the album from Amazon. You can take a look at the video for their new single Always Summer below:

Tags: Southern Air, Yellowcard