“No matter how many shows we play, no matter how any times we perform the same song, that connection is going to be unique every single time we do it and I try to cling to the things that will never ever be replicated in that context.”
It’s been 10 years since Jimmy Eat World released their hit album, Futures, and the band doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon. Singer Jim Adkins speaks with AARON BRYANS ahead of their show at Metro City on Tuesday, November 11, supported by My Echo.
Having released three albums and yet to break through the glass ceiling, Jimmy Eat World decided to leave behind their record label and look for a fresh start.
What resulted was the incredibly successful 2001 album, Bleed American, which featured a title-track hit single as well as the iconic track The Middle. With the eyes of the world on them, in 2004 the band would then release the album, Futures, which would peak at #6 on the Billboard 200.
“Making Futures was the first time that we knew people would be curious about what was going to happen next,” Adkins reveals. “Leading up to Bleed American,which was the record that kind of broke us, even making that record, we were playing shows where our whole band trajectory was all touring and we’d play a place and the next time we’d come through we’d play a slightly bigger place or support a bigger band. But after Bleed American happened we were on a lot of people’s radar. Futures was really the first record that we knew people would be listening to and give it a shot on a big scale. There was some growing pains in there about how we would continue to challenge ourselves and make music that people would be proud of whilst knowing that people would hear it.”
The band’s success would continue with the group releasing their eighth studio album, Damage, last year, which continued to push the barriers of their original pop-punk sound, taking a more emotional and sentimental approach as they constantly evolve.
“I think we’re getting more comfortable in our skin,” Adkins explains. “There are strengths that we have. It gets to be shorthand with each other, we know each other so much, and it’s a very valuable thing. You can work with other people who see eye-to-eye creatively and you don’t have to explain anything because everyone just knows.”
Having been a headliner earlier this year for Soundwave, the band are heading back down under in November as part of their Futures tour.
“I can’t tell you how grateful we are to get invited to anything like that, it’s just nuts. I think the longer that we do this the easier it is to appreciate really small things that come our way. Getting invited to do a festival tour like Soundwave is a huge honour.”
Seasoned world travellers, the band are no strangers to the touring lifestyle. With over 20 years experience under their belt, the group continue to find ways to challenge and motivate themselves as they push to perform consistently for their fans.
“It’s a familiar setting for sure,” Adkins says. “We’ve been doing it for so long we find different ways to challenge ourselves on a day-to-day basis. For me it’s really all about connecting with the people that come to the show every night. We try to really be present with what’s happening while we’re performing. No matter how many shows we play, no matter how any times we perform the same song, that connection is going to be unique every single time we do it and I try to cling to the things that will never ever be replicated in that context.”
“It’s tough in parts and it’s really insanely easy in other parts, it’s the most amazing, rewarding experience we’ve ever had and then again it’s a lot of work. It’s like life.”
