Interview: All The Young
Tales of Grandeur
All The Young have returned with their outstanding second album ‘Tales of Grandeur’ and are currently on a UK tour.
I had the amazing opportunity to have a chat to Ryan Dooley from All The Young, straight after their first gig of the tour in Leeds!
Talking from a service station (the one with the grass roof and ace pies!) The band were heading for their second night at 13th Note in Glasgow. Ryan seemed super hyped to be back on tour and performing as All The Young.
Hi Ryan how are you?
I’m good thanks, just stopped in this amazing services on the way to Glasgow!, I’m actually getting a pie as since living in Copenhagen I’ve not had the chance to have a decent one!
Congratulations on the huge life changes, I am intrigued to see how this has influenced or changed how you write music?
Thank you! yes, massive changes I now live in a household with my wife and 3 daughters which is a massive change in energy compared to what I was used to! growing up with brothers and all that macho energy with Port Vale games and being in an indie band touring with the lads! it’s like someone is looking on going we are gonna switch that all up! band members Arron (Darlington) and Mike (Davies) also both dads, it changes your priorities.
That intrigues me so much, I mean becoming a parent changes your perspective and your emotions, I was going to mention ‘City of Love’ that is obviously about the city of Copenhagen that you now call home.
Yeah, most definitely that’s my favourite track off the album and will be the next single which is released Friday 11th November. The video that will coincide with the single was actually filmed in Copenhagen. There is lot of emotion behind that track and a slower pace, the album still has our own All The Young sounds but this was influenced by life now.
I can definitely hear the emotion in that song, going onto new sounds tell me a bit more about the almost electro dancey feel to ‘Quiet Life’ and how that came about, also will we be treated to any remixes of that tune at some point? This is a question from our editor because it’s his favourite off the album!
Haha yeah, well I’ll let you into something that not many knew about me! when All The Young departed ways and before Faraday began, I started Djing, I was massive into that 90s house and 80s electro for example ‘Ain’t Nobody’ by Chaka Khan massively influenced me, Stoke had a massive house scene, there was a club called ‘shelleys’ a kind of reach for the lazer kind of club, a proper culture hub of 90s House, I used the same template as The S.L.P (Sergio Pizzorno) of taking something and making it more modern. By the way this question has triggered me into thinking of definitely making a remix!
My editor will be pleased! The album definitely has a good mixture throughout it, ‘The Beach’ stood out for me.
Yeah, ‘The Beach’ definitely has more of a Warner 1st album feel to it.
Speaking of labels, you’ve moved over to Scruff of the Neck Congratualtions! How’s it all going?
Yeah, moving over to more of an indie label has definitely given us more of a creative licence! I mean, I miss the more structured side to a major album but at the same time. The freedom side and new experience with Scruff of the Neck is more enjoyable. I mean, there is more choice, I was able to choose our own artwork! 26 year old Ryan was bit gutted about not being able to do that on our first album….
… I mean I have no regrets it’s just different.
Talking of things being different, you returned to Y Not Festival this year playing the Scruff of the Neck Stage, after playing there over a decade ago I bet a lot has changed! How’s was it for you?
I feel my voice is better and more controlled these days, I don’t scream as much.
Also, I’m not playing for success, with our first album I was chasing a dream, I don’t want to be defined by the Warner journey but it’s different now. I feel performing I have nothing to prove to anyone, i’m just doing what I love.
Was this the mindset what led to reforming All The Young?
Yeah, I mean, I started Faraday and when we was performing fans were asking about All The Young continously, saying you’ve got to do it! we had such a loyal fan base, I mean the MIND North Staffs charity gig when we reformed made my mind up really, why deny the fans! I mean, Noel Gallagher is a stubborn fucker! I’ve never met him as when All The Young were about they were just in the process of splitting up, but why deny your fans that! I will always do All The Young now it just feels right.
Well the fans were definitely asking for it! how was the first gig last night in Leeds?
It was a proper cosy gig last night, a lot of singing, and some new fans from the new album. I mean, I’ve had larger gigs but I really noticed the singing, sharing with the fans and the fans sharing with us, I feel like I’m moving away from that commercial way.
I’ve seen you’ve had a venue upgrade to Keele SU for your homecoming gig due to high demand! What a good feeling that must be?
Yeah, It’s a gamble but a larger space and where All The Young got back together too so it’s got a proper feel about it. Also we got some amazing support acts such as The Underclass an indie rock band from Stoke, and the Camens also from our hometown.
Note to readers please check out the Camens about info on Spotify! Well worth a read
Being on tour now, how is it leaving a family back at home this time?
The wife is actually coming over to one of our shows which will be great as she’s bringing over her friends too! Also an exclusive for you we are actually going to be doing a tour in the EU too, playing Copenhagen, Paris, Hamburg and the Netherlands, so will definitely get the children along to the sound checks.
I’d love to ask what’s in store for the future of All The Young, but from this interview and your passion about being back with the fans, It’s obvious to me thats it’s all about enjoying doing what you love doing and giving the fans what they want.
Absolutely!
All The Young‘s New single ‘City of love’ is out Friday 11th November available and their 2nd album ‘Tales of Grandeur’ is out now! Also see tour dates below.
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