Reverse Order – Nothing To Hide

By starrymag | June 15, 2016

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

John: If you listen to our older music like our EP Right Now, which we released in 2012, we were writing fun summer songs about girls that were heavily influenced by pop punk. As we matured, we started to write more alternative rock influenced songs focused on connecting with people on a deeper level. We have songs that speak about personal struggle (“Nothing Left to Give”), trying to reach someone who’s been lost to their personal demons (“Call My Name”) and we have an anti-bullying song (“Not Alone”) which we wrote for our nonprofit, Reverse The Trend.  Our song “Erase You” describes where we are at musically as a band right now. “Erase You” is a passionate song that combines a powerhouse of driving instruments with deep, heartfelt lyrics that leave everything on the table. We crafted a balance between alternative rock and pop influences by blending driving guitars and pounding drums with ambient synths and clean acoustics.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

John: Linkin Park and Sum 41 were the two bands that initially got me into writing. My friends and I would rewrite lyrics to their songs and show them to each other the next day in school. As I continued writing, bands like The Killers, Fall Out Boy, Alice in Chains and OneRepublic also became really big influences on my music.

 

Q) What is the song writing process like for you? Do you need music before you create the lyrics?

John: Most songs start with the music and then the lyrics come later. Sometimes I’ll hear something in my head and start to play it on the guitar or the piano. Other times, I’ll just start playing the guitar or piano until I hear something I like. With “Erase You,” our recent single produced by Matt Squire, I had written that melody about two years ago.  I wasn’t able to finish it until Matt fell in love with it and gave me an assignment to come back tomorrow with lyrics. Somehow, after two years, when the pressure was on I finally found the right words.

 

Q) How did your new EP Nothing To Hide get its name?

John: Nothing To Hide is a lyric in the song “Let You Go.” We decided on this because we kept the release date of the EP a secret so we actually did have something to hide.

 

Q) What do you think it is about your new song “Let You Go” that fans are really connecting to?

John: I think everyone can relate to having that one thing they let go that they would like to have back.

 

Q) What was it like working with producer Matt Squire?

Cruise: For me, working with Matt was beyond exciting. At first when John told me that we were going to be working with him, I really couldn’t believe it. This was a guy who had worked on so many of the albums that really defined my music catalog growing up. So, going in, I really had to be my best to not come off as too much of a “fangirl.” [laughs] But, honestly, once we got into the studio and started working together it was so laid back and enjoyable. I felt like I had known him for years and everybody was able to communicate with each other really well. It seemed like we all were on the same page almost all of the time and it made the songwriting process so effortless.

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

John: I like to be as involved in the production as possibly, working with the producer and any of the engineers.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Reverse Order performance?

John: We put on a high energy performance and really like to get the fans involved. Whether it’s singing the chorus with us, throwing their hands in the air, we’ll even get right there in the audience with them. We just want them to have a great time.

 

Q) What are some of your favorite songs to perform live?

Cruise: “These Summer Nights,” “Hold Me Closer” and “Waiting”

John: “Call My Name,” “Keep A Little Secret,” “Waiting,” and “These Summer Nights”

Drew: “Everything Beautiful,” “Call My Name,” and “Keep A Little Secret”

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

John:  Ryan Tedder (One Republic)

Cruise: Stephen Christian (Anberlin)

 

Q) What can fans do to help promote your music?

John: Follow us on Spotify, add us to your playlist and share us with your friends.

 

Q) You were quarter finalists on “America’s Got Talent.” What advice would you give to those trying out in the future?

Drew: Remember it is a “reality show.” Present yourself the way you want the viewers to see you. Don’t let them lead you to do things or answers questions that aren’t who you really are.

 

Q) You have an antibullying platform Reverse the Trend. How did it get started and why is that such an important cause for you?

Drew: We started Reverse The Trend due to the high rate of bullying and suicides we were hearing about from our fans and in the media.  At first, it was going to just a few schools. Then, it became so popular with over 300 schools contacting us a year.  We knew that in order to sustain the program and reach all the youth that needed to hear our message, we’d need to make it a 501c3, where people and corporations could help. It was very important to us because we were all bullied and have had struggles in our lives. We wanted to let our fans and anyone else know how we dealt with it, and how to lead a positive, healthy life.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

Drew: Social media is immediate and we want to share any good news, new shows or songs we’ve written for them as quickly as possible. We want them to be a part of all our successes and things happening with the band.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

All: Thank you! Thank you for coming to our shows, for buying and streaming our music and telling your friends about us.