Flyleaf Interview and Listening Party

November 10, 2009 by Eric J

The wait is over! Flyleaf have just released their new studio album Memento Mori, the follow up to their platinum selling self titled debut, today! Check out their online listening party here!

The album features the single “Again” and was produced by Howard Benson (Voivod, Pretty Boy Floyd). On working with the band Benson said,

“For me, I like bands that have something they believe in, regardless of what it is, and the fact that they believe in something so strongly is fairly attractive to me”.

Guitarist Sameer beams about Memento Mori saying,

“We’ve grown a lot as musicians and songwriters…we’ve done a lot of growing up in the last few years, and I think a lot of that comes out in our songs and lyrics. A lot of real life experiences, honesty, and hope”.

Rhythm guitarist/backup vocalist Jared Hartmann was kind enough to answer a few questions for MetalMartyr.com about the band, the new album and performing for the troops in Afghanistan. Check it out below!

Metal Martyr: Hi, Jared! Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions. First, could you introduce yourself and the band? What does each member uniquely contribute to Flyleaf?

Jared: Flyleaf consists of Lacey, Pat, James, Sameer and myself(Jared) everyone contributes to the songwriting in their own unique way. For me I mostly just write guitar parts and I also do the bands Twitter. Lacey, Sameer and Pat are the main songwriters they come to the band with ideas, melodies, and full songs which we all contribute too. James is the backbone of all the songs and he can fix anything.

Metal Martyr: The band hosted several listening parties for the new album a couple months ago… how did those go?

Jared: The listening parties were alot of fun and we got to interact with the fans like we did when we were in a van. The venues were all pretty small so we got to talk to most of the people that came which is hard to do when we play at bigger shows.

Metal Martyr: Do you have any cool stories from the road that you’d like to share?

Jared: We were playing in San Antonio a couple years ago and it was a sold out show. The opening bands has all played and there had been thunderstorms off and on all day. Well we had our guitars on and were walking to the stage when a lighting bolt hit right outside the venue. I think I had just stepped on stage and all the power went out so the crowd booed and waited. After 30 min the power wasn’t coming back so we took a couple acoustic guitars and Lacey sang acapella. It was really cool because the crowd sang so loud we couldn’t hear what we were playing.

Metal Martyr: There has been some debate over whether to call Flyleaf a Christian band, how important is your faith in regards to your music?

Jared: Everyone in Flyleaf is a Christian and we can’t separate our faith from our lives so of course its going to come out in the music in some way.

Metal Martyr: Being a former U.S. soldier myself, I’d like to personally thank you for performing in Afghanistan for the troops over there. How was that experience?

Jared: Performing for the troops in Afghanistan was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. We were there for 2 weeks and got a little taste of how much they sacrifice for us so it made really proud and grateful for everyone in the military. Also they let us shoot alot cool guns including the second biggest one the army has the howitzer 777.

Metal Martyr: How is Memento Mori different from your self titled album?

Jared: I think the biggest difference between Momento Mori and the self titled album is that besides maturing alot I think its alot more personal. Not only in the song content but in the art as well which Pat created for us.

Metal Martyr: What can we expect to see from Flyleaf in the future?

Jared: You can expect us to be touring alot next year and we will be traveling overseas as well.

Metal Martyr: Any last words for your current and soon-to-be fans?

Jared: I would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the years and we appreciate all your encouragement and hope to see you at a show soon.

Thanks Jared!

Check out a video recap of The Road to Memento Mori below, then watch their video for “Again” here!