Tonight Alive

Meet Tonight Alive. Pay Attention. What you’re looking at could be the next big thing in the pop-punk/rock world. Already featured in AbsolutePunk’s 2010 Absolute 100 and on the pop culture favorite MTV’s The Hills, Tonight Alive are quickly making a name for themselves. In January, they plan to come stateside and record their debut full-length with famed producer Mark Trombino (Blink-182, Jimmy Eat World, The Starting Line). Via e-mail, we spoke with the budding upstarts’ frontwoman Jenna McDougall about their EP All Shapes And Disguises, their upcoming tours with The Wonder Years and how they enlisted Mr. Trombino in the producer’s role. Here goes nothing…

Jerry@RRR: Greetings from the United States! How is it over there in Australia?

Jenna McDougall: Why thank you.  It’s a little on the chilly side actually. But all in all, very good!

Jerry@RRR: For those who as just learning about Tonight Alive, could you briefly go over the band’s history?

Jenna McDougall: After a few lineup changes Tonight Alive formed mid 2008 and was complete with a new drummer by mid 2009. We’ve been keeping busy writing and touring over the past year in particular and are about to release our debut CD in the states! Absolutely stoked!

Jerry@RRR: These past few months have been great for the band. In March, you self-released All Shapes And Disguises and now you have stints on tours with The Wonder Years, 3OH!3 and Owl City. What has been your favorite memory from this year?

Jenna McDougall: I think despite all the incredible experiences we’ve squeezed into this year this past weekend is probably coming close to number one! We just got home from touring with 3OH!3 and playing some of the best shows of our careers, so we’re still buzzing from that! But, the long awaited release of All Shapes and Disguises was definitely a highlight, with it reaching number one on the iTunes Alternative Charts within six hours of its upload.We’ve definitely been happy little Vegemites this year!

Jerry@RRR: As previously stated, you are about to go on tour with The Wonder Years. How did your inclusion on that tour come about and what are you looking forward to most about touring with The Wonder Years?

Jenna McDougall: Well, actually it was a total mind blow because The Wonder Years had contacted a promoter about having us on the tour! We were utterly complimented by their request and there was no way we weren’t going to be a part of it. I’m looking forward to their live show so much! I’ve only seen videos so far but it looks so intense.. Their songs are so raw and real and anthemic. I’m really excited to learn from their music and about them as musicians!

Jerry@RRR: Because All Shapes And Disguises is self-released, how did you write and record the EP? Did you ever feel rushed due to the exorbitant cost of studio time?

Jenna McDougall: The only rushed thing about All Shapes and Disguises was the push to get it out there! A lot of those songs were written up to and more than a year ago so we were desperate to keep moving and release the CD. To write, we use a computer program called Guitar Pro and we’re constantly sending files back and forth to each other, but the songs on All Shapes and Disguises-being some of the first songs we ever wrote-were more experimental in the fact that we were just trying to find our sound and learning how to write a good song.

Jerry@RRR: What was the basis for lyrical side of the songs? Are there any particular experiences or emotions that you drew inspiration from for the lyrics of the EP?

Jenna McDougall: I don’t think I ever stick to one theme, even within a song. [Laughs] But in that way, I feel the lyrics are pretty realistic and hopefully relatable in that as a teenager you’re still learning how to make decisions and feeling ambivalent about most things in your life anyways! To be honest, a lot of the songs are love related [Laughs], but definitely aimed at teenagers and young adults lyrically.

Jerry@RRR: On your 18th birthday, All Shapes And Disguises reached #1 on the iTunes alternative international charts. What was your initial reaction when you first heard the news?

Jenna McDougall: I could hardly comprehend it. I just received a screenshot of the Alternative charts and had to look it up for myself [Laughs]. It was a total surprise because we were just happy to finally be releasing our CD and hadn’t even considered ranking in any kind of charts, let alone an international iTunes list! So it was definitely one of the best birthday presents I ever received! [Laughs]

Jerry@RRR: All Shapes And Disguises has not gone unnoticed here in the U.S. Buzz has been spreading through word of mouth as well as AbsolutePunk’s Absolute 100 and songs from the EP has made appearances on MTV’s The Hills. How did you find out your songs would be featured on the show and what were your thoughts knowing that your music had spread all the way to the States?

Jenna McDougall: The first time I heard we would be played on The Hills I wasn’t even certain that it was going to happen. But, it wasn’t long before I had my girlfriends calling me until it became a reality! [Laughs] To know our music had reached people worldwide before our CD had even been released was and still is one of the most unreal feelings! I guess it’s what everyone who writes and records music wants: to be heard and to reach people no matter where or how far. It’s something we’re still coming to terms with.

Jerry@RRR: It was reported that you will be traveling to my homestate California in January to record your debut album with Mark Trombino. Why did you decide to work with him and how did the collaboration come about?

Jenna McDougall: This collaboration was another case of being contacted actually! As you can imagine, it’s not everyday you open your inbox to see a new message from Mark Trombino.  Needless to say his interest alone was a massive compliment for us! So, we’re heading over in January for the recording of our debut album and we couldn’t be more excited!

Jerry@RRR: Why record here in the U.S. versus Australia? Does this mean that the album will be released through a U.S. label?

Jenna McDougall: I’m not sure just how much I should be giving away, but in regards to your first question, we feel as a band it’s important to keep moving not only forward but up-recording in the states and especially with Mark Trombino is the ideal way to do that and get our name spreading further across the world. We might even get a US tour in while we’re out your way.

Jerry@RRR: It seems to be a trend these days, though it is obviously unwarranted, that bands with a female lead singer are immediately compared to Paramore, even if they have a different vision or sound. Because of your strong voice and pop-punk/rock tendencies, the comparisons seem inevitable. How are you prepared to handle this?

Jenna McDougall: Unless you’re a cover band or completely unoriginal, I don’t think anyone writes their music to sound like someone else’s. I think that’s the most important message we have is that in no way are we looking to replicate anyone’s sound or image, especially Paramore’s. While we respect them as musicians, you’re right; it’s an inevitable comparison but I guess it’s going to take a little more establishment before our name is separated from theirs. But in the meantime, we don’t let it phase us. We’re doing what we love and that’s enough.

Jerry@RRR: Well that’s all the questions I have for you! Thanks for taking the time to do this interview! Hopefully, I’ll see you when you come stateside. Before you go, would you like to add anything else?

Jenna McDougall: You’re welcome Jerry. Thanks for the interview, and thanks to all our fans over in the [United] States! We can't tell you how much we appreciate your support at such an early stage for us, really couldn’t be more excited to get over there!

There you have it. This one bandwagon you don’t want to miss. You can download Tonight Alive’s impressive EP All Shapes And Disguises on iTunes. Stay tuned for more updates. Rest assured, we’ll be watching this band closely as we anxiously await their debut album.