Following lineup changes through the years and hiatuses since first forming in 1999, all alongside hit song “Wherever You Will Go” in 2002, pop-rock group The Calling, led by original member Alex Band, is ambitiously back in full swing.
In this extensive interview with Band, he explains how The Calling has evolved and persevered through professional and personal set backs—which included Band’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, his near fatal kidnapping, label and management issues and a music related lawsuit—and he sheds light on the new lineup’s focus on future endeavors, including a new album releasing later this year.
After periods of reuniting and disbanding, what factored into your decision and determination to return now, full-fledged with a new video, new album and more?
This return has actually been a long time in the making and something I've been working on for over 10 years.
It was never my choice to stop doing what I love to do. Unfortunately, right after I released my solo album in 2011, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease which totally destroyed me, and it's been a long time and a LOT of determination to finally get back to a point where I can play shows and tour again and release new music.
How did you decide on releasing the song and love video for “Stand Up Now?”
It's a new song we put out last year in conjunction with our tour through South America. We really wanted to have something out there for the fans that's new and exciting until the actual album comes out and the official new singles (which will be later this year!).
The live performance video for "Stand Up Now" was shot in São Paulo, Brazil while we were on that tour in South America.
Overall, how would you compare the upcoming new album (both music and lyrics) to your previous first two albums from the early 2000s?
The sound and the feeling of the new album is very much like those first two from the early 2000s, but this one has a much more grown-up, deeper, emotional vibe.
Obviously I've been through a lot over the last 20 years and there's a huge difference between writing an album when you're a teenager under the control of a major label, than writing one when you're an adult with total freedom.
So this new album is much more musically diverse, with contemporary sounds and big anthemic songs.
How would you say you’ve personally changed from first forming The Calling in 1996 to the present?
The personal change has been huge. I have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I've been to over 100 countries, I've seen the world. I'm happily married and have an incredibly smart and beautiful eight-year-old son.
All these things change your perception of life and of course your personality overall. I would say I'm now incredibly grateful for everything I have and every moment I'm alive.
What’s been your biggest struggle in the music industry and how have you overcome that?
The biggest struggle for me in the music industry was during the mid 2000s. So many years were wasted stuck in legal battles—getting out of one record deal just to get stuck in another and then the labels I were on all started to fall apart and go out of business.
It was an extremely frustrating and difficult period of time for me and of course many other artists. It was truly impossible to release any new music. But as time went on and the digital music world became more friendly to artists, things slowly started to get better.
I spent a lot of time and money in those down years making sure I owned all of my music and songs and albums, so that I would never have to sign my life away with a major label again and never be tied down like that again.
I'm SO happy and lucky to now finally have the artistic freedom I always dreamed of.
What all can fans expect in 2025 and approximately what time frame?
My amazingly supportive and patient fans can expect a new Calling album to finally be released this year! I don't know exactly when yet, but most likely by fall.
Along with that there will also be multiple new singles, new music videos and of course worldwide touring.
We're gonna be focusing first and foremost on America this year, so lots of festivals and opening for bigger artists as well as our own headlining shows.
My killer new band and I will be all over the place starting this summer and I couldn't be more excited!
Follow The Calling
https://m.facebook.com/TheCallingMusic/
https://www.instagram.com/thecallingmusic/
https://www.instagram.com/alexband/
Watch "Stand Up Now"
Photo: Trumpas
Comments
Post a Comment