Described as a “distinctive fusion of piano-driven schizoid pop and lyrical uplift”, Twenty One Pilots are an Ohio-based duo who’ve worked their way up from “local-band” label to the brink of reaching the world stage. Following the popularity of their debut album, “Vessel” in 2013, members Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun are about to let the music world get their hands on the often tricky second album, “Blurryface”, which will hit the shelves and downloads on 19 May.
Drummer Josh chatted with Source, prior to their tour that kicks off at Glasgow’s own ABC2 later this month, about their popularity growth via social media, inspiration sources and, oddly enough, gigs in elderly couple’s bedrooms…
How did you guys get started in the music business?
Tyler and I really didn’t know exactly what we were doing when we first started playing music. We had a very specific idea of how we wanted to accomplish what we were trying to do, but there really is no formula in how to be a “successful band”. We knew that we wanted to be financially responsible, and also not bombard people with social media posts all the time. We decided not to tour straight away, because that just costs money in gas/hotels and we had no fans, so we’d be getting paid nothing to play in front of nobody. We played around our home state for months, not promoting shows on social media. The goal was just to make fans in little pockets around our home. When we played our hometown, we blasted all the social media sites and got everyone from the areas we had played to come to the show, and we sold out a 1,700 cap venue in Columbus, Ohio. This then got the attention of a dozen record labels and from there we partnered with Fueled By Ramen and signed a record deal.
How would you describe your sound?
I never actually really know how to describe the sound of my band. I know that I play the drums and Tyler plays the piano and sings/raps, and we have some electronic elements involved as well. We both grew up listening to all styles of music, and I think we like to write songs that are influenced by all of them. I like anything from jazz to punk rock to the most poppy-pop on the radio.
Your second album ‘Blurryface’ is out this month – what can we expect from it?
This new album, Blurryface is very special to both of us. I think we’ve both grown as musicians and performers in the past couple of years, and have also been inspired by traveling and meeting so many people and learning every night from our live show. Most of this album was written on the road, and a lot of it has been an inspiration from seeing what people can do with a batch of songs. Personally, I can just say that I like these new songs the best.
What’s your favourite track on the album?
That changes every day, I think. Yesterday it was Lane Boy, today I think it’s the Judge. The day before yesterday it was Goner. I’m proud of this album because I truly love every song, and it’s hard for me to pick a favorite. It’s like picking a favorite child, I would imagine.
What would you say makes this record different from your debut album ‘Vessel’?
A lot of it is pretty different, while still maintaining the aspects of twenty one pilots that Tyler and I love and have been working hard to build since the beginning. I think this album has more personality in it. A lot more of Tyler and I. The song Tear in My Heart was the first song that we ever recorded with just Tyler and I in a room at our respective instruments, recording them at the exact same time, which is an abnormal way for modern recording. The atmosphere that created in the track, though, was something so fun for me. Very much just a garage-band-rehearsal type feel.
When you’re making an album, what’s the writing process like?
I think every song is born a little bit differently. Since we’re on the road all the time, it’s all pretty much written on tour. At least this last one was. Sometimes we will sit in sound check and I’ll play a beat I’ve been thinking about, or stumbled upon, and Tyler will play piano along with it…very freestyle. Then record that on an iPhone voice memos and it will then turn into a song. Or sometimes Tyler will just stay up all night finding sounds on the computer and be inspired to write something in a couple of hours. Then we take those ideas into a proper studio and are able to get even more creative in there, with better tools at our disposal.
You’ll be touring the UK to celebrate the launch too – what’s a Twenty One Pilots live show like?
Well, the show wouldn’t be anything without people there who have been invested in this. It’s cool for Tyler and I to get on a plane and come to the UK realizing that there are people there who have resonated with this music and want to be a part of a show just as much as we do. I like to hit my drums as hard as I can and Tyler is my favorite front man, so we like to go a little crazy.
What’s been your most memorable show on this side of the pond?
Probaby the first show we ever played in London….at the Barfly. We were always intimidated by the music scene in the UK, from watching loads of festivals and shows. The UK are very passionate when it comes to music and live shows and that was something we took very seriously. Walking on to that tiny stage was scary for me, but by the end of the show, I walked off stage feeling like I had 200 new friends.
And what’s been the weirdest gig you’ve played so far?
Probably an older couple’s bedroom somewhere in Ohio. Maybe 10-15 people were there and it was a blast, but super weird.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being in the band?
Always work hard, practice every day, and enjoy every moment of the journey.
What’s the best thing about making music for a living?
I love playing music more than anything. If I didn’t make music for a living, I’d do something else for a living, and incorporate music somehow. The best part to me is seeing what people do with it. Seeing art, the inspiration to learn/get better at their own craft, is inspiring to me.
Twenty One Pilots are playing the ABC2 in Glasgow on 11 May. Find out more about the band at www.twentyonepilots.com
