Last Friday, BurnFM’s Marita Farruggia had a chance to talk to Ahren Stringer, the vocalist and bassist from Australian metalcore band The Amity Affliction before the band’s show at the Institute. They discussed the band’s new album Let The Ocean Take Me among other things.
You have been on tour supporting your new album Let The Ocean Take Me. How’s that been going so far?
It’s been going great. I mean, this is the Europe and U.K. run. We just did the Australian and U.S. tour. We had about ten days at home then came straight here, so it was not that much time off. But it’s been amazing so far. This is our second headliner in Europe. Couldn’t be happier with the results really.
Have fans been receiving the new songs well?
Yeah, I mean, the new songs everywhere have been going down better than the old songs. Which I guess is an indication that we’re getting more, newer fans. It’s fun for to play the new songs as well, so it’s a win-win situation.
I know that the new album was the second album you’ve had that hit number one in Australia. So I was wondering how it’s different to play for audiences in America and Europe?
The intensity and the crowd participation is pretty much the same, but on a smaller scale, because we’re not as big in Europe as we are in Australia. So smaller, more intimate shows, but the same energy back from the audience, which is great.
What do you like to do when you’re not on tour?
When we’re not on tour, we’d pretty much all agree that we kind of like to do nothing, and just spend as much time with family and chilling as possible, because it’s kind of our only downtime to do that. When we’re not at home, we’re constantly on tour or record or something. So pretty much, we try to take it as easy as possible.
I bet that must be so tiring.
It is, but you’ve got to take the good with the bad. It’s just part of the job.
Do have anything you particularly like to do while on tour?
Yeah, definitely. Especially this tour, we’ve been all waking up early to go get coffee and see the sights. Just trying to do all the touristy stuff, because who knows how many times we’re going to get to come to these places. Especially, this tour, we’ve been to new places like the Czech Republic and Norway and Poland—places we’ve never been before. So you’ve got to go out and see stuff that you wouldn’t normally see.
So you’re touring with some pretty amazing bands on this tour, but if you could have your dream lineup, what would it be?
I’d probably have to say Deez Nuts, because they’re really good friends of ours. Also, Architects, they’re also good friends and the Ghost Inside.
That would be an amazing tour—I would go to that.
Well we pretty much did that, actually. We toured with the Ghost Inside, in Australia and Architects, but it would be amazing with all those bands at once.
So what is your favourite band from the U.K?
Probably Architects. They’re incredible live. They’re all just freaks at their instruments. It’s crazy to watch them; I’m always in awe of them.
Well, to finish up, if you had to describe your music to someone who hadn’t heard you before in ten words or less, what would they be?
Heavy, melodic, heartfelt, energetic, melancholic, fun…
