For Brighton metalcore titans Architects, 2014 is proving to be a remarkable year. Having released the critically acclaimed and award winning ‘Lost Forever // Lost Together’ through the renowned Epitaph Records, the quartet have been on the road ever since. Having toured in the UK earlier this year, they’ve since been to the States alongside Letlive. before heading to Asia and Europe.
We caught up with guitarist Tom Searle as Architects made a brief return to the UK for last month’s Leeds Festival before they continued jetting off round the globe. In our brief discussion, Tom spoke about the differences in crowds around the world, being part of Epitaph, their 2015 UK tour with Every Time I Die, Blessthefall and Counterparts, and we also ask him what’s his favourite albums of the year so far.
AH: First off Tom welcome back to Leeds and Reading. How are you finding it so far?
Tom: Yeah good. Yesterday at Reading was pretty spectacular. It was one of those lovely heartwarming shows you do every now and again. It’s great. It’s somewhere between hot and freezing cold. When the sun is out I’m baking, then the sun goes in and it’s generally cold. That’s a ridiculously thing to moan about. I’ve lived in England for 26 years, you’d think I would be use to it by now.
AH: I saw some pictures from last night. It looked pretty packed out in that tent.
Tom: At this festival, it’s a relatively modest size stage but last time we did main stage and I felt like it was a great opportunity, something you would never say no to but as a metal band, it’s not your place almost. You’re like a weird experiment putting a metal band on that main stage, and it’s great that the organisers do that and this year they had a lot of heavy bands like Crossfaith and Hacktivist, it’s sweet, but it’s the tents where we feel most at home. I don’t mind it being a modest size.
AH: I was going to ask you if you prefer the intimate setting of a tent, but clearly you do.
Tom: Yeah tents are where it’s at man!
AH: These are your first UK dates since your tour earlier this year. Since then you’e been around Europe and toured with Letlive. in the States. How has that been?
Tom: Yeah Letlive. in America was really great, and I feel like our “fan base” or whatever, I don’t want to talk like a CEO of a corporation; “we’ve expanded our demographic…” But no it’s been cool. The new album has connected with some people over there, and in Europe we’ve just been doing festivals and stuff. It’s been tiring, a lot of flying at 3am and that sort of thing but it’s been cool. We’ve been to Russia and Ukraine, where a lot other bands were pulling out but I felt like we got a lot of love and appreciation for doing that. It didn’t seem like a chore as all the shows were amazing.
AH: Right after this your back on the plane again as you’re off to Australia, Mexico and Canada. Because you’ve been touring all over the world, have you noticed differences in crowds?
Tom: Yeah everywhere is different. Some places are harder than others but the main thing is once they do click wherever you do click, it’s great and the crowds are great. We might of said a year ago the Americans are tough cookies or whatever, but when they like you, they stamp on everyone’s heads. It’s almost a bit too much. Asia is crazy. Everywhere is great right now.
AH: Then in the new year there’s a UK tour happening with Every Time I Die, Blessthefall and Counterparts. That’s a great line-up. Why should people who haven’t seen you here or before come out to these shows?
Tom: You know I was thinking about it last night when we played Reading, I really kind of hope our band, when we play, has some sense. We’ve been around for a long time. You know we were an underground band for a really long time, I feel like there is a real sense of togetherness (now). As I was saying the crowd last night we played to wasn’t a crowd and a band, it reminded me of how a crowd supports a football team. We love it and I hope they do too. I hope there is something geniune people conenct with, and it sounds cheesy, but I feel like there has been times this year where I have felt it.
AH: As I mentioned the support for the tour is pretty impressive. Are you looking forward to playing with those three bands?
Tom: Yeah absolutely. They’re all bands we’ve toured with in the past. I think it’s cool. It’s nice and varied. There’s something for everyone. Personally I’m a longtime fan of Every Time I Die and a huge fan of their new record. I don’t want to almost lower them by saying “we looked up to them” when we were younger as they are still a really relevant band. It’s cool as fuck having those guys on the tour.
AH: The new album is the first record on Epitaph. How does it feel to be part of such a legendary independent label like Epitaph?
Tom: Well they are THE legendary independent label in my opinion. It’s genuinely honour and a privilege. Everyone moans about their label. We moaned about our label forever, now we’re with Epitaph and I’ve got good things to say. It made me realise “it can be good”. They do everything right.
AH: I guess it’s restored your faith in independent labels?
Tom: Well I don’t think they would go near us but I would not go near a major label. I think it’s difficult. I sympathize with labels. With a lot of them, no one is buying their products. It is hard and I understand that might mean sometimes your interest conflicts with the bands. They (Epitaph) have definitely restored some faith. I’m just so happy to be with them.
AH: Going back to Reading yesterday, did you get chance to see any bands or catch up with any friends?
Tom: Hardly. Well, actually what was really great about yesterday was the chance to get to see so many people from all over. We’ll never get to tour with You Me At Six, so it was a chance to bump into those guys and chat with them. I really like those guys. That was the day really, lots of friends. We got to meet Issues, those guys are great. While She Sleeps are always great. I got to watch a bit of Royal Blood. They’re from Brighton. They practise in the same studio as us, and I’ve never seen them play before and apparently they’re ginormous. I had no idea.
AH: Personally one of my favourite albums of the year is ‘Lost Forever // Lost Together’. What have been your favourite albums this year?
Tom: Well my favourite album of the year isn’t out yet. It’s The Xcerts. Honestly it’s so good man. I’m biased because they’re Brighton-based and Murray, their singer, is a really good friend of mine. I wouldn’t say if I didn’t mean it. It’s so good and it’s going to be so big for that band.
AH: It’s been a long time coming.
Tom: It fucking has hasn’t it.
AH: Besides The Xcerts, what other music would you recommend for our readers to check out?
Tom: Well I think everyone checked it out but I really love that Behemoth record. X Ambassadors are great. I saw them play Reading yesterday, missed them today. The War on Drugs album (‘Lost In The Dream’). Like I said the new Every Time I Die album is really good. It’s probably not worth giving Bombay Bicycle Club anymore exposure but they are fucking sweet. I love them.
‘Lost Forever // Lost Together’ by Architects is out now on Epitaph Records.
Architects links: Website|Facebook|Twitter
Words by Sean Reid (@SeanReid86)
