An Interview With UNWILL All About Their Brand New Sophomore Album, ‘Can’t Kill Me’ and More!

On November 16th, Unwill released their sophomore album, “Can’t Kill Me.”

Formed in Rochester in 2015, Unwill signed with Entertainment One shortly after. Since then, the band has shared the stage with letlive., Vanna, He Is Legend, Norma Jean, and Ghost Key, as well as performing at select dates of the 2016 Vans Warped Tour.

They released their debut album Past Life in 2017, which garnered praise from Loudwire, New Noise Magazine, and PureGrainAudio, amongst others. Most recently Unwill released their dark and creeping new single “Sometimes.”

Learn more about Unwill in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! What is on tap for the rest of your day?

Just grinding out and playing some rock ‘n’ roll! That’s all we do baby. 

Since we are now at the back-end of 2018, how has this year treated this band? What is one musical goal that you have had for this year? How close are you to reaching it?

This year has been a trip for us to say the least. Getting our new record “Can’t Kill Me” done and out for everyone to hear was our biggest focus. It’s a great feeling to know we made it happen. 

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be in this group together? Was it hard to think of a name that you could agree on?

The three of us have been jamming out together since high school, it was never really a question. When we were starting this project a few years ago the name Unwill came up in conversation and we all connected with it immediately. 

How do you think your hometowns have influenced the sound and how you all carry yourselves in this group?

Our hometown always had a pretty diverse music scene which exposed us to a lot of awesome stuff. We’re seeing a hole that’s missing in music right now though and we just want to help fill that hole. 

How has your various musical backgrounds helped shape the sound of this band?

All of our music tastes and backgrounds are so different but they come together in a funny way. There are too many pieces of the puzzle to dissect but it all makes Unwill sound like Unwill.  

How did it feel releasing your newest album, “Can’t Kill Me”? How did you celebrate the release?

Truly amazing, like we unplugged a dirty drain. We celebrated the only way we know how, with some Miller High Life and some loud rock ‘n’ roll!

What was it like putting together this collection? Did anything surprise you about the overall process? What was the inspiration for the songs on this album?

Creating this was so much different than anything we’ve done before. The three of us just locked ourselves in a barn for a few months and let the ideas pour out. It felt like these songs were just given to us from another dimension. 

What has it been like being signed to Entertainment One? How have they been able to grow this group and your music?

We were with Entertainment One for our first record “Past Life.” This time around we did everything ourselves and it has been completely freeing.

How would you say that you have changed since forming in 2015?

From then until now, we found ourselves in a way we weren’t even aware we needed to. We know what we’re here to do now and we know how to do it. 

Generally, how do you all go about writing your music? Do you write together or separately?

There’s no set way we do things really. Our best songs always came from a little idea that someone brought to the barn or came up with on the spot, then we just ride that wave if we’re all feeling it.  

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

We love all of it but our true place is on the stage letting it all out. We all reconnect to a greater power when the music is blaring. 

Can you talk about your wildly theatrical live performances? What inspires these shows and the way that you entertain crowds?

That ties directly to our love of performing. When we’re in that space we get so tuned in it almost becomes an out of body experience. We’re completely free to just be. We want the crowd to feel freedom with us.  

Do you find that all of social media and keeping up with your fans has gotten so overwhelming? Or do you rely heavily on others to take care of that for the band? Which platform would you say that you enjoy engaging with the most?

We do most of that ourselves. There’s a lot of noise on social media so it takes work to keep your head straight. We do our best to engage everywhere we can but Instagram is probably the easiest platform to connect. 

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how you all think being musicians and in this band still gives you the most joy in life today? Do you find that your music is an escape to all the current events?

It might be the only thing that keeps the three of us going. If we didn’t have music, and more importantly a place to feel truly connected, we would have a much harder time with this life. But we found a place to belong. We don’t care who you are, what your opinions are, you belong here too. 

What musicians would you love to work with in the future? What artists have really been inspiring this group and your music since day 1?

There’s too many to pick from, we’re inspired by everybody who finds a wave to ride. Collectively we’ve always loved Deftones and Nine Inch Nails, either of those would be awesome to work with on any level. 

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

We want our music to be a place where you can let go of all the darkness that’s found a home with you. No matter who you are you have the power to detach from that narrative and tell a new story based on love. You have the power to create. 

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about this group?

If you need a place to belong, you’ve got one with us. Truly free from judgement, all love.