The Chicago Alt Band 7 MINUTES IN HEAVEN Discuss New Music, Favorite Artists and More!

Chicago based Alternative group, 7 Minutes In Heaven best known for their smash EP Side Effects which featured singles “I’m Okay” and “Fireworks.” Side Effects was met by success, placing on several Billboard music charts including #1 on Alternative New Artists, #9 on Heatseekers, and #60 on Independent chart.

Throughout 2016, the band toured extensively off of Side Effects, and at the top of 2017 they announced their signing with Rude Records. Before entering the studio again with Seth Henderson, the band quickly established themselves in 2016 performing and touring alongside bands such as: New Found Glory, Set It Off, New Politics, Waterparks, Assuming We Survive, Broadside, SayWeCanFly and A Will Away. Performing on festivals such as: SXSW, So What?! Music Fest, Journey’s stage of Van’s Warped Tour 2016, and Fashion Meets Music Fest. At the end of 2016, they co-headlined the first So What?! “Artists On The Rise” tour with Assuming We Survive, where they shared the stage with William Beckett (of-The Academy Is…), and The Rocket Summer for the Fall Edition of the fest.

7 Minutes In Heaven recently announced their follow up EP Symmetry, which features their first single off of it, also entitled, “Symmetry.” The EP, due out September 15th, focuses on searching for positive balance in their lives despite being surrounded by negativity. They define their style with an honest message of real life experience, using a wide array of influences to create a unique sound and convey a sonic story-line for the listener. Hooking you in with powerful vocals and guitar chords, energizing drums and melodic tones.

Learn more about 7 Minutes In Heaven in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! Where does this interview find the band today? Is there music playing in the background? What music do you all like to listen to when you are relaxing or answering interview questions? 

Currently in a slightly silent van on our way to Richmond, VA after playing in Raleigh, NC. We all have similar music tastes especially from childhood, but sometimes we’ll be bumping some R&B then switch to metal core bopping our heads on the highway. It’s all very situational and person to person. We all can agree on the Maine or Green Day, etc haha

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

This year has been the culmination of what we spent 2016 working towards, finally becoming a reality. We spent more time at home than normal in 2016 and dug down writing and evolving ourselves as musicians while trying to keep our home lives as stable as possible, which hasn’t been easy but it has been a year of growth leading to 2017, now it’s Nose to the grindstone trying to share what we’ve been working on with the whole world.

Growing up, did you all always want to be musicians? Can you recall the moment you realized that you could really make music together and be a band? Why do you think your name truly represents this group and the music that you create?

For the most part we all had interests in music as a career, some earlier than others figured out this was their calling. The moment we realized we could make this happen as a band of this group of humans, had to be when we first began writing together and bouncing ideas around, things have always sort of made sense & clicked even if it took some time for the idea to sink in. We all Ave a similar view on music and how we should sound. Almost an unspoken thing we’ve been lucky enough to have dropped on our heads in a way. haha

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 Chicago has affected you?

Half the band normally doesn’t live in Chicago, but I think it’s had an affect on all of us, even just from the music alone. Chicago is legendary for the artists that call it home, it’s so full of music and inspiration and people of all walks of life, it’s hard not to feel these things and the emotion of the city itself bringing an urgency to our goals.

What was it like signing with Rude Records at the beginning of this year? Why do you this this is the right place for this group and your music now?

We’ve always discussed the possibility of being signed, and we have never taken it lightly. When Rude approached us it took honestly more than once for us to look deeper. But the positive energy and willingness to work with the bands vision and not try to change it. We know this is the right place for us to work with good people, and have an even greater reach with this music we love so much, it’s almost surreal knowing Rude has helped us to have articles about “Symmetry” in Asia.

How do you think this band has grown since you released your EP “Side Effects”? What has remained the same about your style and the way you make music together?

We’ve grown in our confidence not only as musicians and writers together, but as individuals In our own lives. How we see things and how they apply or not to our lives has developed  into a whole new outlook on the world and re-iterated what we believe we need to do. We still never make anything as amazing alone as we do taking those individual ideas and bouncing off each other coming from similar but different enough perspectives to create something life altering musically.

What can fans expect from your forthcoming EP, “Symmetry”? How different or similar will it be to your previous releases? What are some songs on it that you are excited for people to hear?

It’s hard to say if it’s different or similar because it’s still us and the music that we want to create, but we’ve grown in the subject matter discussed and the perspectives that are written in the songs. Even the way we convey emotion, take on anger at the world with touché and cheek, or overcoming fear tackling the issues from a self reflective standpoint. We’re most excited for people to hear “Wishing We’ll” which is the final track, this song went through many stages but is the most out of the box we’ve gotten, even having slight political commentary hidden in the lyrics. It’s a song about seeing the world crumbling and finding strength to move past it and create a better future.

You guys have played at so many festivals and with so many other incredible acts. Can you pick  a favorite touring experience so far? What do you think makes for a perfect a show for you?

One of the coolest touring experiences was playing at The Roxy in Los Angeles. An absolutely legendary venue whose stage has been graced with some of our biggest idols.

What are your plans for the rest of this summer? Do you have any tour dates lined up?

We are currently on our summer headlining tour with The Millenium  and A Summer High with about 2 weeks to go making our way up the east coast then back through the Midwest. All tour dates/details are at 7MIH.COM/TOUR

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

We are probably our happiest playing on stage, at the end of the day that’s when we get to physically share our creations  and to channel that emotion and energy, and get to experience that with and through people attending. Although the studio is a special time, playing music is a huge part of our drive.

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?

I think we ca agree as a band that being able to collab with a group like Fall Out Boy, or All Time Low would be insane from both a fan and artist standpoint.

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

That the world may have its awful terrible parts, but you shouldn’t allow yourself to be boxed in by that fear. There is so much knowledge and good to be experienced in the world, weather through music or otherwise, don’t hold yourself back because you can do great things and have an impact in so many ways. Just stay the course and don’t ever lose hope.

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?

-it’s not going to be easy and there will be rough times, but stay true to your beliefs and always remember what you’re doing it for and who you’re doing it for and with. But always keep yourself in mind, music is so broad and ever expanding, always be willing to grow with it.

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

First off thank you for reading this and taking the time, we hope you go check out our music and find the positive message we want to spread. We are so lucky to have the experiences we have had, and are continuing to, we’d love for you to join us on this journey and hope to share a live experience with you soon. Much love -7MIH