An Interview With The Philadelphia Fast Rising Indie Band CIVIL YOUTH!

Philadelphia’s rising indie alternative-rock band Civil Youth has been making waves this year with the release of their third full-length album, Conversations, opening for bands like Twenty One Pilots, AWOLNATION, Phantogram, Capital Cities and more, all while amazing fans with their energetic live performance and leaving them highly anxious for new music. After the release of Conversations, Civil Youth is set to embark on a national tour, and is thrilled to announce new tour dates extending to the West Coast today, passing through Texas and Arizona

Since their first show in March 2015, Civil Youth has toured nationally and is currently venturing on their 8th U.S. tour. What started as an outlet for 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. Civil Youth inhabits each stage with light-up drum solos, crowd chanting, instrument swaps, and stage acrobatics. Between heavy guitar riffs, and poetic rapping, fans of all ages can find a way to connect with Civil Youth. Within a year, Civil Youth has surpassed the caliber of “local band”, and has established their name across the United States. After the release of their debut album, Disguised In Color, Civil Youth has gained airplay on 134 FM Radio stations, sync licensing with major networks including MTV, VH1, and E!, national press in Alternative Press Magazine, and has released their second full-length album, Who Rescued Who, as well as an acoustic album, titled, Ossein.

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Learn more about Civil Youth in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! Where does this interview find the band today?

We’re chillin in a Starbucks right now in Dallas after walking around the city all day. Dope city.

Is there music playing in the background? 

Yeah, it’s Jazz.

How does 2017 so far compare to last year? Did you all approach this year differently then you did 2016?

For the most part the attack has been the same but the reception from the new album has definitely helped us draw more people and reach a bigger audience.

Growing up, did you always want to be musicians? Can you recall the moment you realized that you could really make music together and be a band? 

I don’t know if there was a defining moment just more of a decision that we wanna play. We all grew up around music so it was pretty simple.

Why do you think your name truly represents this group and the music that you create?

It was derived from the Civil Defense organization but in the metorphical sense of protecting people from their mental illnesses. The music works well because it’s unique.

I always like to ask artists how their hometown has been an influence on the kind of music they make and really what kind of a band they are today. So how do you think your hometown of Philly has affected you?

Philly is really varied and has tons of genres which is sick and I think that let us have the confidence to do whatever and not be so straight forward.

Let’s talk about your recently released third full-length album called “Conversations.” What was it like putting this collection together? Did anything surprise you about the process at all? What was it like being able to self-produce it in your home studio?

The writing process was very focused so when we got into the studio every thing was already written and demoed which let us experiment with sounds and weird ideas. It was just a really fun laid back process.

What are some of your favorite songs on “Conversations”? Can you describe how you guys go about writing a song and the process you all take?

Sides, Let You In, & When We Collide.

Some songs come together quickly and others evolve over months of looking at them at different times. There’s no set way we like to write we try to be open minded.

How do you all think that you have continued to grow as a band? How is this new album different than anything else you have released?

This process has been the most involved from everyone and it was also the longest time spent in the studio so we grew tighter in a sense. The music itself is heavier and more cohesive.

How has your summer been going? What are some upcoming tour dates that you are looking forward to playing at? What can fans expect from one of your performances?

We’ve been on tour all summer actually playing most cities across the US so check our our website, civilyouth.com and find your city!

Where do you think you are happiest- on stage performing, in the studio recording new music or elsewhere?

It’s really split because we love creating new ideas but also love letting go of so much energy and stress.

Who are some of your favorite artists? Who would you all to work with in the future? What would be a dream collaboration for this band?

Biffy Clyro for sure. They’re such an inspiration. We also love Paramore, 30 Seconds To Mars and Twenty One Pilots.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

We hope people feel as if they are with us when they listen to our music. We want them to feel positivity and hope. We also want them to take whatever they feel from it.

What advice would you give to a band just getting started? Or even to someone young that is thinking of becoming a musician one day?

Find your voice and don’t ever stop.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourselves or your music?

When we don’t play music we play Tony Hawk and Mario.