Interview All That Remains: Jeanne Sagan

Artiest: All That Remains

Geïnterviewde: Jeanne Sagan

Interview afgenomen in: JC De Klinker

Label: Razor & Tie

Before All That Remains played in Aarschot, we sat down with Jeanne and talked about the latest record, the band and touring.

First of all congratulations on the new album 'The Order Of Things'. How were the reactions?

There were a lot of positive reactions but of course there were also negative reactions.

Were those reactions because of the amount of ballads on the album?

Yeah I think so, a lot of people wanted a heavy album, so I guess they are disappointed but of course we have some heavy tracks on this album.

Why did you decide to make that amount of ballads on the album?

It just felt right at the moment and it still feels right. It wasn’t like when we started writing stuff that we said, and now we want to write a ballad. I think those ballads make this album great.

What are some differences with the previous albums on the level of production?

Well, we worked together with a new producer. Josh Wilbur. He worked together with bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Lamb Of God, Hatebreed and many others. He also worked on an album of P!nk so he knew stuff about pop albums and that came in handy for us. It was a new experience for us, we experimented more.

Why did you decide to take a new producer?

It isn’t that we aren’t happy about our previous producer but our agendas just couldn’t match and we couldn’t work together because time was an issue.

What are some differences with the previous albums when we talk about lyrics, music style, …?

Well I can’t tell a lot about the lyrics because I didn’t help a lot with that but about the style, there are more ballads on this album. About the writing process, Josh helped Phil with the writing of the lyrics and I don’t know a lot of producers that do that, so that was special for us. I think we have a nice variation of tracks on this album.

We also hear you singing on the latest record, you never did that before, why did you decide to sing?

Well, as you know I only sang during the shows but it is actually because of Josh that I sang on this record. He got me out of my comfort zone and I am actually happy he did that.

I think the singing works out really well, the screams and the clean vocals have a nice sound. Do you have regrets you didn’t record vocals before?

Thank you and I don’t know, we are who we are because of that, who would know where we stood if we did things differently in the past?

I can’t agree more, what were the greatest challenges in making this album?

That would be the vocal part for me but Josh made it really easy for me.

How would you describe the latest album?

It is the most diverse album we ever made. We got the chance to experiment a lot more and that was good for us.

What is your favorite track on this album and why?

I think that would be Divide because it is the first song on which I recorded vocals.

What musicians influence you?

Well, I would go with the bass player of Tool and also the fans influence me. Of course I came out of the hardcore scene so that influences me also.

What is your all time favorite All That Remains song?

That would be This Calling. It is the first song I played since I joined the band and that song will always be played live and it just has a place in my heart.

Excellent choice, how do you communicate with your fans?

Well I used to talk to them after shows but since I do more vocals my voice is actually too tired and then I just talk to them on social media.

Are there any places you want to play again?

I would say Japan, the fans are so respectful and they really like our music. We would like to explore the country more. Of course Download and Rock Am Ring are always great places.

What about Graspop?

Oh yeah, we played there in 2013. I remember the full tent and it was a great time, it would be great if we could return there.

What are some of the best experiences you had with this band?

Well, we played a lot of great shows. I love playing shows but there is also a bitter side, sometimes we have to play a lot of shows in the same amount of days and then we have to travel much so that is a little disadvantage. I met a lot of new people, interesting interviewers, and interesting fans. It is great to see so many happy fans.