![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/tumblr_inline_mxn4egwiOp1qztcot.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Hailing from the city known as “Music City”, Nashville, Tennessee’s rock quartet Better Off<\/b> have produced a stirring collection of songs with their debut record ’(I Think) I’m Leaving’<\/i>. With a sound that blends pop sensibilities with emo-rock tone, ’…Leaving’<\/i> has seen the band been likened to Brand New, Balance & Composure and Jimmy Eat World.<\/p>\n
It’s certain to say that if you’re a fan of the aforementioned bands, you will instantly find a connection in Better Off<\/b>’s introspective lyrics as tracks like ‘Sick, Sad, Sons’<\/i>, ‘A Fool Walks Into a Bar and Cries Wolf’<\/i> and ‘Keeping Watch<\/i> show. With energy and passion, Better Off<\/b> are one of the brightest Stateside hopefuls we’ve come across in quite some time.<\/p>\n
Already Heard<\/b> recently grabbed a quick word with vocalist and guitarist Luke Granered to discuss the bands sound, ’(I Think) I’m Leaving’<\/i>, the Nashville scene, future plans and more.<\/p>\n
Already Heard: Hi. Can you tell us who you are and what your role in Better Off is?<\/b>
Luke:
\nHi. My name is Luke Granered and I sing\/play guitar for Better Off.<\/i><\/p>\n
AH: To begin with you’ve been described as a throwback to the late \u201990s-early 2000s indie\/emo scene. What are your thoughts on this?<\/b>
Luke:
\nI take it as a compliment. We all listen to that, so it makes sense!<\/i><\/p>\n
AH: For new listeners, would you say that the late \u201990s-early 2000s indie\/emo description is accurate in terms of your sound?<\/b>
Luke:
\nI’d say so. We lean more towards pop \/rock than most of those bands. But that sound is there.<\/i><\/p>\n
AH: Three bands I see you’ve been compared to are Jimmy Eat World, Balance & Composure and Brand New. How does it feel to have that comparison? Do you consider them as influences?<\/b>
Luke:
\nIt feels great!!! Jimmy Eat World and Brand New are two of my favorite bands. I like Balance a lot too, but I haven’t grown up with them like the other two. Those bands mean a lot to me.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
AH: ’(I Think) I’m Leaving’<\/i> was released earlier this year and is your debut record. When you were writing and recording the album, what was your initial aim?<\/b>
Luke:
\nOur initial aim was to track a record we enjoyed and get it out as soon as we could. We had been touring on a 4 song EP with the intention of changing our name once a full length was ready, and that had drawn out for quite a while. We were ready to play something a little more serious.<\/i><\/p>\n
AH: Do you think succeeded in achieveing that aim?<\/b>
Luke:
\nDefinitely! I have a strong emotional connection with the record, so I love playing those songs.<\/i><\/p>\n
AH: From having the record on repeat for several weeks, it comes across a deeply personal record. Can you tell about what influenced the writing on this record?<\/b>
Luke: Absolutely. Without getting into too many personal details, I’ll say that it is mostly about addiction, and the effects of a parents relationship on their child.<\/i><\/p>\n
AH: The record has been out for a few months now, what has been the response been like?<\/b>
Luke:
\nIts been great! Our friends have been incredibly supportive and we’ve made new friends along the way. I hope we keep that up!<\/i><\/p>\n
AH: Can you tell us about the artwork and how it relates to the record?<\/b>
Luke: The artwork is a picture taken by a childhood friend of mine named Hayden Myrick. In middle school and high school, my friends and I would all hang out at our friend Murphy’s house on the weekends. I have a lot of memories there, and the cover is from a room in that house. The record is about the truth of my childhood coming to light, and that picture is a beautiful symbol of my younger self.<\/i><\/p>\n
(I Think) I’m Leaving by Better Off<\/a><\/p>\n AH: You’re from Nashville which is known as “Music City”. Does the nickname back up the current music scene in Nashville?<\/b> AH: What local bands would you recommend?<\/b> AH: Last month you headed out on a short US tour and you’re in the middle of a Canadian run. How have the shows been like especially since the release of ’(I Think) I’m Leaving’<\/i>? AH: Is just touring continulously on the agenda right now or is there a follow up to ’…Leaving’<\/i> in the works?<\/b> AH: Any closing words for this interview?<\/b> ’(I Think) I’m Leaving’<\/i> by Better Off<\/b> is available now on 6131 Records<\/a><\/b> and Blood & Ink Records<\/b>.<\/p>\n Purchase ’(I Think) I’m Leaving’<\/i> from Monkey Boy Records<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n Better Off<\/b> links: Website<\/a>|Facebook<\/a>|Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n
Luke: Heck yeah it does. Nashville has so many great bands.<\/i><\/p>\n
Luke: Courtesy Drop, Nest, Cove, Yautja, Free Throw, Daisyhead, Diarrhea Planet, Feather Oars, Sonsett. The list could go on forever.<\/i><\/p>\n
\n<\/b>
Luke: So cool. Its been unreal seeing people knowing the words here and there. Thats the most notable change, to me. I love that. <\/i><\/p>\n
Luke: I’ve been writing songs a little bit, but we haven’t gotten together as a band to work on them yet. The record was written close to 2 years ago, so I’m excited to start a new record. But for now, tour tour tour.<\/i><\/p>\n
Luke:
\nGet a dog. Ride your bike. Watch It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Thanks for the questions!<\/i><\/p>\n