We had the pleasure of sitting down with Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat from All Time Low to discuss their ninth album, songwriting during the pandemic, Wisconsin experiences, and more. Here’s a summary of the interview, which you can watch the full version of below.
When asked what the process was like making their 9th album versus the first one, Gaskarth shared, “I think it’s just finding ways to keep reinventing our sound. You know, I think that’s the biggest challenge, and the thing we always try to push ourselves into every time we approach making a new album.”
He explained that because they didn’t have much time to do other things like touring during the pandemic, all they really had was songwriting and making new music. So some of the songs on the record are ones that were written nearly two years ago now. “And then it was about taking those and piecing those together with new music and making something that felt like it was still telling a story and had a message to it.”
Barakat continued on that point, explaining that the pandemic really allowed them to write music more freely. He said, “…we definitely were, I think, after the pandemic way more open to just writing music just to write music. As opposed to making a record.”
Gaskarth touched on how writing during the pandemic helped break their writer’s slump. He said, “I think it was just the lack of pressure. You know, we again were just doing it when it felt right and when it felt good. We didn’t really have a target in mind, so it wasn’t like we were under the gun to finish something. Like sometimes you have a deadline and it’s like, ‘Your album needs to be turned in in a month, what do you have?’”
Both Gaskarth and Barakat did not think that “Calm Down” would be the single of the album. “Not at first,” Gaskarth explained. “I mean, we had written ‘Sleepwalking’ and we knew that was the first thing that we wanted people to hear. And I think ‘Calm Down’ sort of fit this other vibe.” He shared that the record sort of has two sides, one that’s a bit darker and one that’s more piano-based.
One song that continues to resonate with fans is “Dear Maria.” “I think everybody loves a story and that song is really vivid and imaginative with the story it’s telling,” said Gaskarth when reflecting on why that is.
Warped Tour holds a special place in the band’s history. “It was so defining for us,” said Gaskarth.
“you know, right out of high school it was one of the first real proper tours that we became a part of and we did it for years after that. So I mean, we wouldn’t be the band that we are today without the Warped Tour.”
Their favorite venue? Red Rocks. Jack said, “That was the first time I think I’ve ever cried on stage.” Gaskarth added, “And the front row is right there, like right in front of you. So it’s the, I think it has to be the only show that we played for 10,000 people where it felt intimate. You know, usually those layouts, the crowds kind of far away, but this was like, I could reach out and touch the front row. It was wild.”
As far as a favorite Wisconsin memory goes, Gaskarth’s is stopping at the best cheese spots and eating an assortment of cheese in the front lounge. Barakat’s is playing one of the most iconic venues in the state. “There’s only one thing I can say for Wisconsin. And that is The Rave,” he said matter of factly. Because the band has played there over 20 times, it feels sort of like a hometown show to them. “There is only one other band in the entire world who has played The Rave as much as we have. Leslie the owner is a very close friend of ours and we will never not play The Rave. We’ve gone and played all of, all of the rooms, every room including the pool. We’re the only band to play in the pool.”
Although they’re from the East Coast, because of that deep connection they have with “what we consider like a ‘hometown venue’ in the middle of the country,” the band holds Wisconsin very close to their hearts.
Check out the full interview below!
