Story Of The Year
Story Of The Year fans are in for a treat as lead vocalist Dan Marsala shares insights into the band's journey, collaborations, & upcoming tours. In an engaging interview, Marsala sheds light on the creative process behind their music, their unique partnership with WWE, & their deep affection for performing in Australia.
The Creative Evolution of Story Of The Year
Dan Marsala discussed the band's approach to songwriting & how it has evolved over the years. He emphasised the importance of personal & introspective lyrics in their recent works. "I knew on the new record, Tear Me To Pieces, I wanted everything to be lyrically very first person, very personal," he explained to Pario. This shift was a deliberate move away from their earlier attempts to infuse political themes, which, according to Marsala, didn’t resonate as strongly with their audience. He noted, "Just because I believe in that doesn't mean I need to sing about that."
Reflecting on the band's journey, Marsala highlighted how time & experience have influenced their creative decisions.
"You learn a lot over the years... there's no rules. You can do whatever you want. Just have fun. It's music. It's art."
Collaborating with WWE & Christian
One of the more unexpected chapters in Story Of The Year's history was their collaboration with WWE for the theme song, Just Close Your Eyes, for pro wrestler Christian. Marsala described the experience as "very random," stemming from a connection with a friend who worked in WWE's promotions department. "They just came to us randomly one day. It was like, hey, would you have any interest in collaborating with a wrestler?" he recalled. The band agreed, albeit with little familiarity with Christian or his existing theme song.
The process was rushed but rewarding. "They sent us a song & they're like, can you have this done in four days? We were like, okay, we'll learn it & record it real quick," Marsala recounted. With their drummer Josh Wills out of town, Marsala stepped in to play the drums, while Ryan Phillips handled guitar & bass. "We threw it together as quick as we could in the studio," he said.
Despite the tight schedule, the result was a memorable version of Christian's theme song. Marsala acknowledged the song's unique place in their repertoire, saying, "It is our band but it's kind of not, you know? It's kind of a weird in-between song." While the song's rights are tangled in WWE's domain, the collaboration remains a notable highlight for the band. "It turned out really cool & we’re happy to be a part of that whole world," Marsala remarked.
Anticipating the Australian Tour
Looking ahead, Marsala expressed his excitement for Story Of The Year's upcoming Australian tour. "We always say it, but we're not lying when we say it's one of our favourite places to tour on the planet.”
The band has a special affinity for Australia & Japan, often touring both countries together. Although this time Japan is not on the itinerary, the band is eagerly anticipating their return to Australia.
The logistics of touring can be challenging, especially with the long flights & time zone changes. Marsala admitted, "It's hard on my voice. Every time I'm in Australia, it's like one of the only places that I'll lose my voice almost every time at some point." To mitigate this, the band has scheduled a few days off to rest & recuperate.
Marsala is confident that fans will enjoy the shows, which will feature the entirety of their album Page Avenue along with a mix of new songs.
"We're playing all the songs on the record obviously, but we're mixing in some of our new songs as well," explained Masala. This curated setlist aims to provide the best live experience, avoiding the pitfalls of a rigid album playthrough. "Nobody wants to hear Until The Day I Die second in the set. It's very weird," he added with a chuckle.
Story Of The Year's tour promises not just great music, but also the camaraderie & high-energy performances fans have come to expect.
"We're bringing our friends from Senses Fail,” Marsala shared. “We've been doing a lot with them lately, & it's just an awesome friendship."
The tour is set to be a memorable event, filled with music, friendship, & the vibrant energy that both bands bring to the stage.
Follow Story Of The Year's creative journey on social media at: @storyoftheyear
Get tickets to their concert at www.destroyalllines.com
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