Q How are the dates with Hawthorne Heights going?
Mark It's been one of the funnest and easiest tours we've ever been a part of. The turnouts have been great and I think we've been going over well. We've been selling a lot of merch, which is always a good sign. We've been on the road this year pretty heavily since June and getting to do a tour like this to cap off the year feels like a victory lap. The guys in Hawthorne Heights have gone well out of their way to take care of us and make us feel welcome. We can't thank them enough for taking us out on this run.
Q What has been the most surprising aspect of this tour?
Poppy Hawthorne Heights told us going in the tour would be very stress-free and easy. We had no idea how right they were. All of the bands on the tour are great both musically and personally. All around it's been the best tour we've ever been on.
Q Your latest release, "Analogies," is a split EP with Let Go. Why take this approach rather than a four-song EP of your own tunes?
Mark Let Go are some of our favorite people we've had the pleasure of meeting through music. We all grew up when split seven inches and split EPs were more common and this is sort of a throwback to that era. I'm really happy with how everything turned out. It's my favorite release we've been a part of thus far."
Q This is the seventh annual HoliDayton? What keeps you hosting this multi-act show each December?
Mark HoliDayton is always one of my favorite shows of the year. For us, it's a good way to cap off the year and have a fun night with friends celebrating Dayton music. We've always had good luck with turnouts and the diverse bills always make for a fun show. The fact other people are continually excited about it and look forward to it every year makes us extremely happy.
CONTACT contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.
how to go
WHAT: HoliDayton, with The Story Changes, JT Woodruff from Hawthorne Heights, Motel Beds and others
WHERE: Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St., Dayton
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26
COST: $5
MORE INFO: (937) 938-6405 or www.blindbobs.com
ARTIST INFO: www.thestorychanges.com
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