An Interview With, Memphis May Fire

Memphis May Fire are a post-hardcore band based in Texas and have a post-hardcore / southern rock n’ roll sound to their music, especially their new album Sleepwalking.

We had the chance to ask Memphis May Fire a few questions about the band, their new album and Internet music piracy.

How did the band take Chase’s and Austin’s departure when they both decided to part with the band? And do you guys still keep in contact with them?

The hardest thing about Chase leaving was mainly the timing that came with it. He had assured not only us, but our management, label, and booking agent that everything was cool and his fiancée’s pregnancy wouldn’t affect anything. Of course we were a little discouraged when we didn’t find a great singer right away, but we found the perfect guy for this band so Chase’s leaving was actually a blessing in disguise. As for Austin, he didn’t leave much of a void being that he didn’t really write his parts or add much to the band anyway.

Tell us a little bit about your new album ‘Sleepwalking’ released on July 21st, 2009? What inspired the creation of such an energetic album?

Musically, I wanted to write an album that challenged listeners to really listen and not just go along with much of what’s going on in the music scene today. Not to disrespect any other bands in our genre, I knew going into writing the music that I wanted strive to make it sound like nothing else going on right now. Lyrically, Matt has a long history in the Christian music scene and that has a definite influence on not only his writing, but who he is as a person. We wanted to let people know that there is more going on than the here and now and that there is hope when you feel like there is none.

You’ve got quite a few tour dates ahead of you, what’s one thing you guys miss when you’re on tour?

Matt definitely misses his wife and dog most of all! I would say that I miss being able to enjoy simple things like cable t.v., or catching a new movie that just came out.

How did Memphis May Fire start, and how do you all know each other?

MMF started basically in fall of 06 when I decided to write more fast paced music that I would have fun playing live. Chase, Jeremy, our original bass player Tanner and I had a previous band so that was already a foundation. We hooked up with Ryan when his band broke up and heard that he was looking for a band.

Does the band have any plans on heading to Australia any time soon, perhaps in 2010?

We’d love to tour Australia! As of right now we honestly have no idea about 2010 but we definitely have our sights set on getting out there.

I often ask every band what their opinion on Internet music piracy is, what is your take on it? And do you think it really damages bands as much as some people are saying it does?

To be completely honest, if music piracy wasn’t an issue, I wouldn’t be worrying everyday about how to stretch 5 dollars between 2 meals. I wish kids wouldn’t download our music for free because it really does hurt us in the long run, BUT, if they are going to do it- I just ask that they support us by coming out to a show and grabbing a shirt.

Tell us what it was like working with Casey Bates throughout the recording process of Sleepwalking?

Casey was the best. He was really easygoing and really let us do our own thing. He’s a Protools genius, and works faster than anyone I’ve ever seen. He definitely made Matt feel confident and comfortable when he was tracking and to me that’s the most important thing.

What other bands would you say inspire your bands music?

I personally listen to a lot of old 90’s rock like STP and Soundgarden but also newer stuff like The Wedding and He is Legend.

How is a Memphis May Fire song conceived? Do you guys write the lyrics first, then the music, or just jam until something sticks?

Well in a nutshell I write the parts for every instrument i.e. drums, bass, guitars etc. I’ll usually have a very rough whole song idea in my head sectioned off into parts and then create the drumtrack in Acid Pro. I used to be a drummer so it helps a lot. Then during the process the guitar parts change, sometimes minutely, sometimes drastically. After about anywhere from 6 to 8 hours I have a finished, mixed and master song I bring to the band and if they like it we work on it.

Where do you see Memphis May Fire in 5 years?

I’d like to think that the direction we are going in could really give us a “real” career. We don’t expect to get rich off playing music, we just want to be able to pay the bills and tour living as normal of a life as possible. I want to inspire people just like my favourite bands have inspired me. I know that’s a lofty goal but I think that is one of the driving ideas behind this band.

Do you guys play much material of the debut EP live, or is it strictly new stuff now?

At the moment we usually play three old, three new.

If each of you weren’t in a band, what do you think you guys would be doing now? Office jobs, unemployed, flipping burgers?

I’d probably either be a music teacher (ugh) or still working as a supervisor at Sam’s Club. Matt would probably still be slinging phones for Verizon.

Do you have any tips for other bands out there trying to make it and get signed to a label?

Just be yourselves and make music you like playing first of all. If people see you’re genuine you’ll get the fans and the exposure you need to get signed.

Any shout outs or final things you guys want to verbalise to our readers and your fans?

Pick up Sleepwalking! You’ll love it, we guarantee it!

Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions with us. Good luck with your tour dates and sales of your album ‘Sleepwalking’ – which is instores now.