Civil Youth – Sound In The Signals Interview

Philadelphia's rising indie alternative rock band Civil Youth are quickly building their fan base and playing shows across the East Coast. They have opened for Twenty One Pilots and AWOLNATION. They recently announced their upcoming Evolution Tour with a mashup of Paramore's "Emergency" and Biffy Clyro's "Saturday Superhouse". They were kind enough to explain how music is the most powerful vehicle, how art can help someone discover who they are, and how their upcoming record will be more mature and how they crossed genres.

You have toured extensively over the last year. Your past releases include Disguised In Color, Who Rescued Who, and Ossein. Tell us about your background and music for those who may be unfamiliar.

Civil Youth has been around for about a year and a half now and within that time we tried to get as much off the ground as possible. We’ve released 2 records and an acoustic EP, and I think have been on 7 tours now… We lose track after awhile! Most people would classify us as an Alternative band and I think that’s a good description of our sound since we have so many influencing this band.

You recently released a mashup cover video for "Emergency/Saturday Superhouse" to announce The Evolution Tour. It's excellent. Why did you choose these songs and what inspired the video?

We chose those songs specifically because both Paramore and Biffy Clyro have huge influences on our writing style, but also because we share a common fan base and we always try to make ¥ou guys happy!



The tour is in August. I've heard that "Civil Youth inhabits each stage with light­up drum solos, crowd chanting, instrument swaps, and stage acrobatics". Do you have any teases for what fans can expect at the upcoming shows?

Let’s just say, we’re going to have another mic on stage this run…

Click to Enlarge

You have sync licensing with networks including MTV, VH1, and E!. How did this happen and what has it been like getting this recognition?

Back when we released Disguised in Color, we linked up with Tinderbox Music who was able to get us licensing with these networks, and we were super excited about it.

I've heard what started as a way to help lead singer, Michael Kepko, "to express his anxiety and depression while living in Boston, has evolved into a cultural movement backed by a community of thousands of supporters who identify with Civil Youth’s lyrics and music". How can music help people deal with anxiety and depression? What's it like having that strong community of people supporting you and the band?

Music is the most powerful vehicle. Weather it’s Jazz or Metal, it lets people have a release from the “outside”. For us, having such a passionate fan base has saved our lives and lets us release what we have built up. 

Speaking of your fans, you've said you want to be a band that helps "others through our art and our music. To become a faction of people who cared for one another, to not think any one person is better than the other. We are here for you, and we want you to use our music to see that you’re not alone". That's a great message. How would you encourage people to follow through on this idea?

I think by using our music as a jumping off point to this concept, it’ll start to come off in other aspects of people’s lives and by using art, you will be able to find oneself.

Your new record is coming in May 2017. Can you tease anything for fans who can't wait to hear it? What stage of the process are you in right now?

Let’s just say, the songs are more mature and will reach both the 14 year old fans and the 24 year fans. We have a cool way of crossing genres and we really let ourselves be creative.

Thanks for the interview. Do you have anything else you would like to add?

We can’t wait to see everyone in August for the Evolution tour, and then again in October for our unannounced  tour(;

For More Information on Civil Youth:
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Twitter
Follow on Facebook
Follow on Bandcamp
Follow on Website
Follow on Youtube
Follow on Pandora

-L.Burden