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What inspired you as a band to create Gossip? 

I feel like really for us y’know we’ve been a band for going on eight years now and one thing with our band is we’re constantly evolving; constantly changing with our music from record to record and I think for Kellin; he wanted to name this album Gossip because we tend to have of people that like to talk. Y’know.  If they want one thing, regardless whatever kind of music we create or write towards the record, you’re gonna get people that are gonna talk and you’re gonna either believe the gossip or you don’t. I know that especially for Kellin, writing this new record he was in a bit of a darker place before it and this record was kind of a breath of fresh air for this band. We took quite a bit of time off to write this record and when things kind of seemed down and out, this record, once we got into the studio or started writing and producing, these songs it became such a positive vibe and such an uplifting record and i think the album being titled Gossip that was just kinda a slap in the face to everyone that wanted to talk and now its our chance to prove them wrong.

Would you then define that the overall theme of Gossip would be mainstream media affecting the band? 

No, not at all. I think really media and social media all have to say what they want. It really doesn’t affect us at all. That’s something that we’ve done time and time again. We create the music that we want to create and I feel like if you  constantly create music for someone else y’know – we have some songs on this new record for some of the older fans but mostly we want to make music that we really enjoy; that we’re passionate about.  If you constantly create another record for someone else then you lose your passion for it. It’s almost like you become a machine. You lose your personality. So thats something that I feel like we’ve done a good job at; creating the music that we like and something that we’re passionate about.

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How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

When we started back in 2009, we we’re obviously a lot younger. All of our tastes and musical influences were different and the earlier stuff was – I honestly would just call it less developed, less mature. Our older stuff was a lot heavier and this new stuff we’ve progressed into more a band that we want to be now. Back then, it was just stuff that we had enjoyed at that time but I feel like we are now just more grown up and I feel as though it is more musical and melodic. I feel as though its really the most mature record that Sleeping With Sirens have put out yet. The sound of this record is more cohesive and it works to create one exact image and sound that we want to project.

Were there any challenges as a band you guys faced when beginning the new era of Gossip.

I feel as though its never easy to step outside of your comfort zone and that’s one thing our producer David Bendeth really helped with. When we first met up with him in January of this year, we laid down about twenty five songs and we sat down with him and realised that most of these songs were really all over the place. Something that is not really uncharacteristic for this band. But he did a good job at figuring the exact sound that we wanted to go for. Making  sure that we’re all on the same page. Because y’know its hard; we have five guys – we all have different tastes and we all have different ideas and visions. He did a good job at making us come together and shoot for one certain goal and go for the same sound. And also it was hard because we went from about eight months of touring to siting in a studio. We went from New Jersey to Nashville, back to New Jersey, and then Kellin and Jack flying out to LA to do writing sessions and we were a bit all over the place and it definitely wasn’t an easy process but we’re very happy with the way everything came out and once we got into the studio and started recording it was a breeze. It was an absolute blast doing it. It was just really dialling the sound that we wanted for this record.

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How can you compare the album Gossip to previous albums such as Madness, Feel, or even Lets Cheers to This.

Like I said, I feel and I think this is the most cohesive record. The fact that it makes sense sonically and as far as a direction we wanted to go. This record all makes sense. I think that Kellin did a phenomenal job with really being honest with his lyrics and really putting his heart out there. Putting all of his emotions into the lyrics and as far as musically, this is some of the best stuff that Sleeping With Sirens has released. Not in a flashy way like not tons of guitar solos or tons of crazy drum parts, but as far as the songs fitting to the vocals, everything is lined up very nicely on this record. I think that it’s the most grown up record we have made to date.

Along with being the record’s lead single, ‘Legends’ has also been named the official song of Team USA for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang next year. That has to be exciting right? What was your first reaction when you found this out?

Well I called my family freaking out. I mean still to this day it doesn’t feel real. It’s kinda one of those things where it’s a huge step and I would never have imagined for myself when growing up and if I was going to tell myself ‘hey you’re gonna be in a band and have a song that is going to be a theme song for Team USA, you know id tell myself to fuck off.’ But I mean it’s incredible.  We’re all beyond thrilled. We were sitting in a hotel lobby actually having a drink with our manager, Benji Madden; and he goes ‘hey guys I have some news for you’. We’ve been shooting for Team USA Olympics thing but we didn’t know it was going to happen and Benji goes ‘We got it’. And we were all just like alright lets get a shot and we all said cheers and then called our families and kind of celebrated. Y’know still like I said still to this day it still doesn’t feel real. Until I see maybe the Winter Olympics happening, hearing us on there, it’s still gonna blow my mind. It’s just something that we’re completely thrilled with. Im honoured at the same time.

Its absolutely awesome, I mean when Team USA posted it won their Facebook I was blown away it looks so cool. When I saw like paralympian – a girl going down a mountain on one ski with one leg and then theres our song playing in the background and she’s holding up a gold metal and I’m just like what. This is incredible.

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You have a few upcoming tour dates in relation to Gossip coming up? How do you think fans will react to a new setlist and a new era of Sleeping With Sirens.

Well we’re on tour right now and we have been playing three of the new songs off the new record; and they’ve been absolutely amazing. The crowd has just been going nuts. Like they’re louder then any of the other songs. Legends in particular is insane. It’s really cool because on this tour right now it’s the first time that we’ve played these new songs and before this tour in rehearsals we played ‘Cheers’ for the first time live as a band and it’s almost like this song took on like it’s a new animal. From what is in the studio to what is written in the studio; we started playing it live and that song is now a ten. It’s a full rock song; a jam. It’s really fun. I can’t really describe it but I think that fans are gonna like hearing the new stuff and also us too. We can’t wait to play the new stuff. We’ve been waiting forever so… we’re excited.

Are there certain songs of the new album that you’re excited to start playing live?

I can’t wait to play ‘Cheers’; wait we’ve been playing ‘Cheers’. But ‘Trouble’ is one that is going to go over really well. That song is something that we’ve got a big vision for. I imagine us playing this song with a full gospel choir singing backup and maybe an orchestra with us. There’s a lot of stuff that we can add to this song. That song and for me one of my favourite creeper tracks, a song that I didn’t like in the beginning but now it’s growing on me is going to be ‘The Chase’. I think ‘The Chase’ is going to be one that catches on a little bit later but I think that song is going to do really well and it’s going to be fun to play live as well.

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Any last words?

I just wanted to say thank-you for sticking with us. I know its been a minute since we’ve been back and I want to let you know that we’re going to be back they’re very soon. 2018 you guys are going to see us and we cannot wait to see you. Pick up the record it comes out September 22nd and we love you guys. We’ll see you very soon.

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