American post-hardcore band Sleeping With Sirens are gearing up to release their upcoming new studio album Madness (March 16) and guitarist Nick Martin recently sat down with Pressparty for a chat about their new music, the recording process and the creative control they have over their projects. 

1. Your fourth full length album, Madness, is due to be released later this month. It was produced by John Feldmann (5 Seconds Of Summer, Panic! At The Disco etc). What was that experience like? How do you feel your sound has developed since the start?

The experience of working with Feldmann is a familiar one to me, personally, because I've recorded an album with him before in my previous band. I loved working with him in the past, so I was eager to do another album with him. He is the most eccentric, brilliant person I know, so the recording process with Feldy is very enjoyable.

2. You’re heading to the UK in April with Pierce The Veil, are you excited for the shows? What do you like most about touring and what's your favourite tour memory?

Very excited to tour with PTV! We've been having a blast so far on The World Tour. Mike & Vic are my cousins and we started our first bands together when we were in high school. So, my connection with them and touring at this level together is pretty mind blowing for all of us. What I love most about touring is traveling with my best friends and meeting amazing people along the way. My favourite tour memory hasn't happened yet since we're not in the UK yet. Good answer, huh? :)

3. Your music video for Go Go Go was recently released, who came up with the concept for that? How much control do you guys have over creative things like videos and album/single artwork?

We came up with the concept ourselves. We have complete control over our art and what we want it to look like, or sound like. But we have an amazing team that really helps execute everything and keeps us from going too overboard as well.

4. Is there a particular situation where you feel you get more songwriting done? Do you write well on tour or do you have to be in one place for the inspiration to come? Where’s the weirdest place you guys have written a song?

Inspiration happens anywhere and everywhere. That's the beauty of music and songwriting. For some, it happens in certain places or certain moments. The weirdest place we've written a song is in John Feldmann's playground. Don't ask. 

5. Social media is now a huge platform for bands – what do you make of it? Is it helpful? What do you like about it? Have you experienced a negative side to it at all?

This is a hard question to answer because it definitely goes both ways. For me personally, I value my privacy. But it's important that I'm able to reach out to our fans,  that they can see what we're doing, and be able to show our appreciation for them. The other side of it is that sometimes social media gives people some sort of "entitlement". To say whatever they want or think they are "owed" something. Social media also takes away from the mystique of an artist. There's plenty of days where I just want to delete it all. But now we live in this technology ridden era where it's pretty much inescapable to not be in the social media game. With what we do, I'm a part of it even if I didn't want to be. And I'm ok with that. 

6. You have a lot of younger fans who really look up to you as their idols, what was your favourite band growing up?

My favourite bands growing up were The Clash, Queen, and The Beatles. 

Fan question from @MrsGuitarGirl92: What would you be doing if you weren’t in a band?

If I wasn't in a band, I'd still like to be creating art of some sort. Or learn how to brew beer. 

Fan question from Maddy Klitsch: Why did you decide to name the new record Madness and who came up with it?

Kellin decided on titling the album Madness. It summed up the past year of our lives in one word. 

Follow us: @Pressparty on Twitter / Pressparty on Facebook.

Watch the band's music video for Go Go Go here: