At Electric Forest Festival, L4LM writer Kathryn got to sit down and chat for a few minutes with Ryan Stasik of Umphrey’s McGee. Heres what he had to say about some of their upcoming endeavors.

 

So, how does the release of Similar Skin impact the touring schedule? Do you add or take away shows, in order to promote the new album? 

Um, no, not really. We have been touring for 16 years so we kind of have a blueprint to how touring works for us and our families per se. However, when we do have a new studio album, it would be poor choice to sit at home and just pray that its going to do well. Especially for a band that doesn’t sell a lot of records. So obviously yeah were going to tour in support of it. But one thing I think has opened doors for us is being able to play over seas. We just toured in London for a bit.

At the new Brooklyn Bowl? 

Yes over there, we played 3 nights. I think opening ourselves to other festivals as well, around the world, you have to have something to tour behind so that promoters have something to listen to, to see if they think you stink, or if your worth the money. 

Well, on the subject of stinking, many people say you are “too sophisticated and too complex” 

(laughing) Well, thank you! 

What would you say to people who say that?! 

I would say “Your welcome!” That’s great, because we actually consider that a compliment!! 

Did a lot of the new song titles come from real life experiences? Is thats why its called Similar Skin? 

I think “Similar Skin” is vague enough to know that we all come from the same place no matter who we are. That’s about as simple and vague as I can put it, i’m not the lyricist. I don’t wanna speak verbatim for what they mean or what the lyrics mean I think its open for interpretation. Its always more that fun that way, if it means something special to someone.

So tell me a little about the album art? Who’s skin is that?! 

Shes a sexy laddice from Chicago. Pretty girl. We hired a few models. That was a fun shoot. 

Your last record attempted to combine several genres, this album seems more like a rock album. 

YES!! 

Why did you guys decide to go that path with this album instead of sticking to the mixing of genres? 

Well, you just nailed it on the head. We felt that Death by Stereo was really a collection of the songs that we had at that time that was all over the place, and we were trying too put that out. We trying go from punk rock to rock to prog, to dance and it was all over the place and we knew that that was our intention. And i don’t think were were as satisfied with the result, we were proud of the songs in the studio but when we got together to write for similar skin all 6 of us were in rock and roll head mentality. When we were writing together we were thinking rock n roll and we picked a group of 16 songs and cut it down to 11/12 it was all rock n roll. The one song that kinda did not fit into the rock and roll theme was “No Diablo” was the one that was a little more pop and it was such a strong such a good song and Brendan put so much time into it we would have felt dissatisfied if we didn’t include it. So that was more pop-rock than it is hard rock like the rest of the album. But our roots are rock and roll, and that’s where we come from, and that’s what were influenced by and that’s what were inspired by, and we have two blazing guitars in this guitar solo and lead drums, i mean that’s fucking rock n roll. So, we just kinda wanted to go back to our roots and see what we could do and make a big, loud, rock record.

Google defines Umphreys as “progressive improvisation”. How would you personally define that?

Uh well, our bread and butter is improvisation music. We have been doing this for 16 years and every night everyone of us would go absolutely insane if we had to stick to something concrete, playing the same songs over and over again. Always different, always opening it up, always taking risks, nothing set in stone. Like i respect Broadway plays that run for years and its the same show every night and these people are doing it and doing it with passion but we can’t. Were way too ADD and were way too excited about challenging ourselves and getting weird, and getting outside, and getting glorious, and getting shitty and hard. And the fans, our fans know that. They know that’s what to expect, and they wanna be a part of that, and its a fun ride. Its a roller coaster ride of ADD, progressive aggressive improvisation. We use our ears to listen, we use our eyes to watch, we use baseball signals, cues with our feet, with our instruments, to make things on the spot. 

What big landmark shows do you have coming up, we have heard about Red Rocks, are you excited to headline?

This will be our 8th time at Red Rocks, this will be our 3rd/4th as a headliner, that’s July 5th, um we have a ton of festivals coming up. I’m always afraid to say this because I don’t know what we have announced.

Anything planned for Halloween!?

There is definitely stuff planned but i don’t know if were allowed to tell anyone yet…

Well, you have done the past 2 years in Milwaukee right….

Yeah, but I can tell you its NOT in Milwaukee, its more uh east.

East possibly south…..?

East possibly north 😉 And were doing Atlanta for 5 days for New Years Eve!

What do you think makes you keep going back to Atlanta? I feel like you guys go to Atlanta a lot. Strong connection?

The markets great, the people are great, its easy to get to, the Tabernacle is an awesome venue, security is super cool, love the people there, the energy there, everything’s been stellar. There’s been no red flags that say don’t come back here. You play some venues and you play some places where there like ehhhhhhh (chirpchirp). 

So, every time I go to one of your shows, or a festival you are playing, and sometimes places where you guys aren’t even playing, I come home with a bright orange sticker that says umph love. Is that something you guys spread out, or is it fan fueled?

 Fans. Fans. Fans. And they glow! I’ve got a roll at home someone gave to me. There all over.

Last question, and this is a fan question… Julianna from NY wants to know: “How does it feel to MELT FACES”

HAHA, I am PRO FACE MELT! I am absolutely pro face melt. Just as long as when people go home then rest and they usually get them back.

I think that sums up all my questions unless you have anything that you wanna say…..???

RAGE, REST, REPEAT!

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