Mayday Parade

After fulfilling their most recent record deal with the release of their seventh studio album What It Means To Fall Apart, Mayday Parade decided to take things into their own hands so they could operate to release music on their own terms and timeline. It’s a space the band hasn’t fully existed in since their self-released debut EP, which sold 50,000 copies without the support of a label. Alex Garcia said their first single, “More Like A Crash” is about the chaos and pain of endings, especially regarding personal relationships. Despite how beautiful something could be at one time, often at its end there’s just bad feelings and a sense of being lost in the wreckage.”

The pivot brings some much-needed flexibility in support of their personal lives. “It’s extremely exciting and terrifying all at the same time” shares Jake Bundrick. “There’s obviously a lot more freedom and control,” adds Alex Garcia. That freedom, as Jeremy Lenzo explains it, will allow them to “release new music more consistently as opposed to dropping an album every couple of years.” As such he continues, “we’re going into this with the mindset that each song really needs to stand on its own.”

With that in mind, the band have taken their time when it comes to deciding what to record and release. “We always stew on the songs we’re working on to make sure they’re ready to be recorded,” explains Lenzo, “so sometimes you end up sitting on an idea for a while until it comes to fruition. “Sonically,” shares Bundrick. “I wanted energy from this new batch that still felt angsty but had our emotional flair to them. It’s been a while since we’ve put out some up-tempo songs and that was important to me.”

The forthcoming releases and touring marks the latest chapter in the long history for the beloved Tallahassee band, who are approaching nearly two decades of playing and releasing music together. Such longevity is a feat in and of itself, and one the band doesn’t take for granted. “We started this band when we were all fresh out of high school,” shares Lenzo. “I think a large part of why we are all still here is that we have been friends most of our lives, even before the band.” Garcia agrees, noting that “this is everyone’s full time job and passion. We all love playing music, so the fire is still alive. We have created something important to us and it’s imperative that we maintain it by giving it the requisite attention.”

Mayday Parade cannot wait to share that enthusiasm with their fans this summer as they release new music and hit the road. Their next single is "Pretty Good To Feel Something” and comes out as the band heads out coheadlining this summer’s Sad Summer Festival with longtime friends The Maine. “This is a song about bad things happening that alter your life and how eventually you have to let those things go and move forward. It’s about appreciating what’s left after it’s all said and done,” says Derek Sanders.

“We all feel really good about these new songs and are excited to see the fan’s reaction to them” shares Garcia. “It’s always fun to be out on tour in the summer, there’s always such a great energy and I’m excited that Mayday will be part of people’s experience this season.”