US rockers Lifehouse came to global fame in 2001 when their single Hanging By A Moment became a huge hit around the world.
Taken from their debut album No Name Face, the song remains their most recognisable. Since then the band has toured relentless and released several albums. Their new album Out of the Wasteland is released on Monday and the guys will be back in the UK promoting it this autumn.
We caught up with Lifehouse aka Jason Wade (lead vocals, guitar), Bryce Soderberg (Bass, vocals) and Rick Woolstenhulme, Jr. (drums, percussion) to find out more about the record and discuss their return to the UK later this year.
Hi guys. How are you doing today and where in the world are you?
We are well thank you! Currently the band is in pre-production in Burbank, California for our upcoming tour.
Your new album Out of the Wasteland is released on Monday. What can your fans expect from the record?
In some ways this record is a rebirth for the band. We have brought a fresh energy to the studio after the two year hiatus, so we had a lot of individual growth to show for it. The record also showcases a portrayal of us going back to our roots, revisiting the sonics and energy of our first few records. Overall, it’s a mix of all of our records rolled into one.
After the release of your last album Almeira, you decided to take a break as a band and explore individual projects. What was behind that decision?
We have been a band for 16 years and after touring for 8 months out of the year most of the time, some of us were a little burned out. It was necessary to recharge the batteries.
At what point during the break did you realise that you were ready to reunite as a band and record new music?
Jason had written 70 or so songs for his solo project and had realized that some of the songs were more fitting for Lifehouse. In September of last year we got back in the studio and finished up the demos..
Lifehouse has been together for a long time now. What would you say is the biggest lesson you’ve learned over the years?
We are always learning, from each other, our surroundings..etc. Hard to say what the biggest would be. The older we get, the more we learn how important it is to let go of stress or resentments. Treat others how you would wish to be treated.
Your debut single Hanging By a Moment was such a huge success across the globe. Has that song been a blessing or a curse for your career?
It’s a blessing of course! It launched our career and to this day is a song that gets one of the biggest reactions live. We still don’t get tired of playing it.
The music industry has changed a lot during your time together. How are you getting to grips with the shift from physical releases to digital? Do you embrace it?
It is a double edged sword, but we prefer to stay on the positive with the inevitable change. We have reached a broader audience of course, there will always be music fans but less of them will be paying for albums. In the grand scale it doesn’t affect us as much as the newer bands who don’t get as big of budgets from labels. Back when there were development deals, there were more chances for bands to break.
You’re back in the UK playing live shows in September and October. How do UK audiences compare to the audiences you get back home?
The last time we played Shepherd’s Bush the crowd sang so loud we had to let them finish a few songs! Big voices. Must be from all the football games you watch!
Which song from your catalogue do you enjoying playing live the most and why?
Probably “Broken” it has a connection with the audience that gets us every show.
What else do you have coming up this year?
We are going to tour this summer supporting our record with Nickelback, followed by a Europe tour this fall. There are talks of us heading to Australia and Southeast Asia as well.
Lifehouse release their new album Out of the Wasteland on Monday. Watch the music video for Hurricane below:
