Exclusive interview with Academy Killer

We recently got the chance to sit down with up and coming band, Academy Killer. Check out the interview below:

What’s was your inspiration for your upcoming EP “Lost in Make Believe”

Kevin: “The desire to express ourselves honestly and give people a little insight to who we are, our highs and lows, and our own journey of the human experience. We wanted to create something without any preconceived expectations of sound or subject matter. It was as simple as live life, connect with your emotions and work with what you’re experiencing and feeling.”

On your upcoming EP, what song would you say is your favorite and why? 

K: “I think I’d have to go with “Seventeen”. It’s this massive ballad that’s reminiscent of big, stadium rock of the 70’s and 80’s. I’ve listened to a lot of Queen, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin over the years and I think it’s our own brand of that larger than life rock & roll sound. It just does something special for me.”

Nathan: ““While I Drown”! It has this dark personality to it and I really dig that. I’m a fan of dark vibes and art with a dark, sinister side.”

Lucas: “I would have to say “The Distance” because I think it’s the catchiest and has the most energy. It’s also special to me because it started with a demo I worked out a couple years back”

Omar: “My favourite is Figure Me Out. The song started when I showed the guys a bass line at rehearsal and the whole song was built around that groove. It’s cool that my idea ended up being the basis of a song.”

Do you remember the day that you wrote "The Distance"? If so describe it. 

K: “Lucas showed us a demo he had worked out and it just kind of clicked for me. I went nose deep in to my home studio and gave it my writing treatment and didn’t stop until I had a revision to show the guys.”

What influenced your most recent song, "The Distance"?

K: “I think the biggest influence was our own drive and determination for what we’re trying to do with our music and where we’re trying to take it. Gaining traction or finding measurable success in the music industry is no simple feat and there are a lot of ups and downs that come with the territory. The Distance delivers this positive message to keep on pushing and to not give up no matter what you may face. It serves as a reminder for us to not lose focus or hope.”

How do you come up with the lyrics to your songs?

K: “I mainly adlib and just try to vibe with whatever I’m feeling or what’s on my mind and I’ll just sing until something workable naturally dances off my tongue. I’ll sing that line or two over and over and adlib more to add to it. I can usually work out most parts like this. From there I work to smooth out the melody and to do so I bust out my notebook and begin to break things down line by line to fit the flow and rewrite whatever necessary. It’s quite the creative process as it often requires me to use different words to get the same message across when an initial line doesn’t work. This entire process can take 20 minutes or an hour, or even several days if I can’t get in the right mindset to write lyrics I’m happy with as I never want to force them.”

Is there a common link or theme between the songs on your upcoming EP?

K: “The Human Experience”

Would you say your music is more from personal experience or more to tell a story?

K: “It all stems from personal experience but it is presented in a manner that tells a story. Aside from specific circumstances, my experiences are those shared by everyone on earth. Love, heartbreak, death, hardship, success, joy, sadness, pain, these are all things we must endure as humans. I want to give people something that they can connect with. I want to show people they aren’t alone and others understand how they may feel.” 

Do you feel your childhood influences the band you have become today?

K:“Yes, we do. We all considered ourselves to be awkward kids growing up, trying to fit in and just not completely knowing where we belonged in the world. We’ve grown to not care and to just be ourselves, surround ourselves with like-minded people and do what makes us happy. I refer to Academy Killer as The Awkward Kid Club as we all kind of found one another and seem to especially connect with fans and listeners who see themselves in a similar light. We’re all awkward kids at heart.” 

What is the best meaningful lyric you have written and why? 

K: “That’s hard to answer as everything I write holds meaning for me. I think one of my best lyrics may be from While I Drown. It highlights struggles with mental illness which have played a large role in who I am and the art I create. The lyric is, “Head’s a hole with nowhere to go, clawin’ at the walls as they erode, once saw the world in rose and gold, now it’s black and oh so cold. Can’t spend your whole life running, these demons are too cunning, don’t turn your back, they’ll attack, one false step could be your last”.” 

What do you feel is the best song you have ever written and/or released and why?

K: “I think “Tonight” may be our best. It’s this in-your-face rock song but it’s got this prominent funk vibe. It’s just got this inexplicable energy that I feel is unparalleled, it’s like funk on steroids. The song builds in waves and eventually just explodes for the last chorus and outro. It’s different and I think it best demonstrates the concept behind Academy Killer and our desire to do away with the confines of genre and labels”. 

What is your biggest break through moment in your band?

O: ”I think we can all agree that Alternative Press premiering The Distance was our biggest milestone so far.”

N: “It’s pretty crazy when the authority for punk and alternative music not only talks about you but features you on their homepage.”  

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

N: “Remember that no goal is too big. It’s normal people who do amazing things.”

If you can have your fans remember you by one thing what would it be?

N: “Our loyalty to our fans. We do our best to genuinely connect and interact with everyone who reaches out to us or shows their support. We don’t see fans as numbers, they’re people experiencing all life has to offer just as we are. “

What are your upcoming plans for the rest 2019 and 2020?

K: “We’re releasing our next single Looks To Kill on 08/23, Lost In Make Believe is out 09/20and we’re playing our hometown EP release show at The Casbah (Hamilton, On, Can) on 10/04.”

O: “We’re going to book some more Canadian dates to support Lost in Make Believe as well.”

L: “Oh! Don’t forget, we bought a van and will be working towards touring the US in early 2020!”

What is the weirdest or funniest question you have been asked in an interview? 

K:” I was asked for my best relationship advice.”

N: “Whether or not I like turtles…”

L: “Why don’t we get any of the weird questions?”

O: “Yeah, what gives?” 

If you could be any fruit or vegetable what would you be and why?

K: Even though it’s a berry, I’m going to say banana. Even when I spoil, I’d still be good for something. Like old bananas are good for banana bread. 

N: Kiwi. Because kiwis. 

L: A watermelon because if you drop me on your foot it would hurt a lot. Also because I’m 92% water. Stay hydrated like me kids!

If you could collaborate with any band who would it be?

K: I’d love to write a cool acoustic tune with Ed Sheeran. Please don’t hate me if I “sell out”

N: My Chemical Romance

L: All Time Low! They’re a huge influence for me

O: The Tragically Hip

We would like to give Kevin, Nathan, Lucas, and Omar a big thank you for letting me interview them and are looking forward to hearing their album Lost In Make Believe out September 20th!