Interview : The Devil Wears Prada
October 20th 2011 14:56
The Devil Wears Prada are fast becoming fan favourites across the world uniting the often divide between metal heads and punk kids. With another busy year of touring (including a visit back out to our shores soon) and the release of their new album “Dead Throne”, we caught up with Mike Hranica from the band to get the low down on the new record and what we can expect from their upcoming tour in Australia.
1. Where are you at the moment?


Sitting at home in Chicago, just finished running some errands.


2. Gives us the run down on the new release “Dead Throne”? When and where 
id you record the album and with who?


We recorded earlier in the year (2011) in Western Massachusetts with Adam Dutkiewicz.


3. The album comes across a bit darker lyrically, was that the intention from the
 outset or did it just manifest itself that way?


A little bit of both. I always push for darkness linguistically, this time around it just seemed like everyone really noticed it.


4. How does The Devil Wears Prada write new material? Is one person brings in
 the idea to rehearsal or is it a truly collaborative thing?


Chris Rubey is our primary songwriter, it's safe to say he pulls most weight musically. We do write a number of songs all together, though and that's usually how we come up with songs that are more jammy.


5. I read the band came up with the concept for the ‘Born To Lose’ video. Where 
id the concept come from?


Like the inside of the record packaging, I wanted to run a silhouetted concept with the band. It's visually appealing, but it also has the underlying idea of no idols. We aren't meant to be heroes, and that's some of the idea behind the silhouetted imagery.


6. You have a pretty loyal fan base who love the band, with making a new album 
o you guys consider how these fans might react if you wrote a slightly slower
 song or mixed up a little with styles?


Yeah I've thought about it: obviously all artists of all medias face pressure that their newest bit of work will not be well-received. We're extremely blessed in that we get to write what we want, while the fans still appreciate that. Dead Throne was written to appeal to listeners, but it's also exactly what we wanted to come up with. In writing music, we express ourselves, and expressing yourself is very important to be 100% honest, rather than always doing what you're told to do.


7. You’ve toured with a wide variety of bands ranging from pop punk acts
through to extreme metal bands, do you feel that The Devil Wears Prada is 
somehow bridging the gap between the two genres and their fans?


I suppose it's possible, and if it is, then I fully approve.


8. You’re about to hit Australian shores again end of October, what can fans
 expect from the shows this time round?


I would say all of the usual passion and sincerity. We've always built ourselves on being a live band, and a part of that is being whole-hearted every single show. That sort of emotion is something I like to try and convey to listeners and attendants at Prada shows.


9. What’s the best album to listen to while on the road?
That's a tough one to answer, I really don't know. I definitely hit strong album swings, where I'll listen to one record consistently for a few days or weeks. It's always rotating whether on the road or at home.
The Devil Wears Prada, We Came As Romans and Dream On Dreamer tour starts October 20 in Perth.
The Devil Wears Prada
Sitting at home in Chicago, just finished running some errands.


2. Gives us the run down on the new release “Dead Throne”? When and where 

id you record the album and with who?

We recorded earlier in the year (2011) in Western Massachusetts with Adam Dutkiewicz.


3. The album comes across a bit darker lyrically, was that the intention from the
 outset or did it just manifest itself that way?


A little bit of both. I always push for darkness linguistically, this time around it just seemed like everyone really noticed it.


4. How does The Devil Wears Prada write new material? Is one person brings in
 the idea to rehearsal or is it a truly collaborative thing?


5. I read the band came up with the concept for the ‘Born To Lose’ video. Where 

id the concept come from?

Like the inside of the record packaging, I wanted to run a silhouetted concept with the band. It's visually appealing, but it also has the underlying idea of no idols. We aren't meant to be heroes, and that's some of the idea behind the silhouetted imagery.


6. You have a pretty loyal fan base who love the band, with making a new album 

o you guys consider how these fans might react if you wrote a slightly slower
 song or mixed up a little with styles?

Yeah I've thought about it: obviously all artists of all medias face pressure that their newest bit of work will not be well-received. We're extremely blessed in that we get to write what we want, while the fans still appreciate that. Dead Throne was written to appeal to listeners, but it's also exactly what we wanted to come up with. In writing music, we express ourselves, and expressing yourself is very important to be 100% honest, rather than always doing what you're told to do.


7. You’ve toured with a wide variety of bands ranging from pop punk acts
through to extreme metal bands, do you feel that The Devil Wears Prada is 
somehow bridging the gap between the two genres and their fans?


I suppose it's possible, and if it is, then I fully approve.


8. You’re about to hit Australian shores again end of October, what can fans
 expect from the shows this time round?


I would say all of the usual passion and sincerity. We've always built ourselves on being a live band, and a part of that is being whole-hearted every single show. That sort of emotion is something I like to try and convey to listeners and attendants at Prada shows.


9. What’s the best album to listen to while on the road?
That's a tough one to answer, I really don't know. I definitely hit strong album swings, where I'll listen to one record consistently for a few days or weeks. It's always rotating whether on the road or at home.
The Devil Wears Prada, We Came As Romans and Dream On Dreamer tour starts October 20 in Perth.
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