INTERVIEW: From Ashes To New

Words by Lexi Schnell (@lexischell)

In a small town, you either die where you came from or dream your way out. From Ashes To New understand this choice. As such, the Lancaster, PA band— Matt Brandyberry [rap vocals, keys, synths, programming, guitar], Danny Case [clean & unclean vocals], Lance Dowdle [lead guitar], Jimmy Bennett [rhythm guitar] and Mat Madiro [drums]— churn out an anthemic hybrid of hard rock, hip-hop, electronic, and alternative with enough energy to inspire you to get up, move forward, and maybe even, make a change. Since 2013, the group have risen from humble beginnings to the top of the 21st century rock vanguard with hundreds of millions of streams, sold out shows across the country, and acclaim from Loudwire, Alternative Press, and more.

What can fans expect from your new album?

MATY: I think that is an evolution for us as well as something that the fans can look back on and be familiar with. At the same time, something I think that the fans want with the new record and things like that that are coming out, setting it up with a tour that's gonna end the rest of the year. So just really embodying everything that we're trying to move forward to do and also just kind of embellish on all the things that we haven't done before but wanted to kind of present to all the fans and everything else. Really hone in on everything that's been going on, capture the wave from blackout and go from there.

LANCE: We can tell you that the new music is probably the darkest and heaviest music we've done. We'll give you that. 

MATY: We did a listening party yesterday with the fans, a couple of fans at our, you could say, hometown show and showed some of them, and they were definitely surprised by the new sound that's going on as well. 

Are there any surprises in store for your New Disease tour this fall?

MATY: There may be a couple, yeah, we're trying to see. You know? Definitely wanna push the production, take it to a new step as well with that, but we may have to sprinkle in some new songs as well as long as we're permitted to.

Will the blackout body paint continue out of the blackout chapter?

LANCE: Let me ask you, what do you think?

I think it's sick to be fair, but I’m not sure if it's uncomfortable to perform with paint on.

MATY: I think some, I mean how's your take on it.

JIMMY: Well, I started wearing a long sleeve t-shirt, so I didn't have to paint my arms any more. So that answers that question. What's your take on wearing?

LANCE: I don't know because I'm like the one that kinda dresses like a weirdo. So I'm still trying to, like, brainstorm whatever my new wardrobe is gonna be and how I can incorporate that. Maybe it's still there or maybe I just look completely different yet. I don't know. Yeah.

MATY: It's definitely sick. I like it. But at the same time, I probably wear the least, because of the meaning behind the one that I was doing. But Lance and I definitely get pretty theatrical with everything. So try to find a way to still stay true to what we are doing and emphasize the album without losing the artistry of it. But definitely coming up with some new ideas and maybe still touching on the old for sure. 

If a new listener only had time to listen to one song of your songs, which should it be and why?

MATY: That's hard. I have two. And it's cheating. I know that. But for me, I would say “Panic” is a big one for me because I think it really embodies everything that is From Ashes to New that we've spoke about for a while, the sound. The other one being that is from the most recent record would be “Nightmare” for me.

LANCE: Yeah. I think “Nightmare” is the best, like, overall representation of, like, “Edge,” especially with the rap part of the band. Like, there's a good hip hop, good rock feel. Even some metal in there too. It's literally everything.

JIMMY: I was gonna say “Nightmare” as well. Yeah. It’s just overall, a nice rounded song.

MATY: We're all in agreeance. 

JIMMY: Would you look at that!

If you could collab with any artist on this weekend’s lineup, who would it be?

LANCE [looking at Maty]: Who would it be? 

MATY: They know exactly. I'm gonna say the boys and Machine Gun Kelly for sure.

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