It’s not often a band hits it big with a single, and in the case of American Authors’ hit, “Best Day of My Life,” the song not only hit it big, it “became a cultural phenomenon, featured in over 600 movie trailers, TV shows, commercials and even as a theme song for the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” according to a news release from the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, where the band will perform Tuesday night.
We had a chance to catch up with lead singer Zac Barnett ahead of the show. The following interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Q: Why did you change your band name at the beginning? (They were originally named The Blue Pages.) Why American Authors?
A: We had done so many label showcases, we played all around the East Coast where we were based that we had kind of hit this wall where no matter what we were putting out, we were just getting brushed over, just the same kind of reaction to everything, because so many people in the industry knew our band already. So it came to the point where it was like, “What if we change our name? It’s the exact same band, music isn’t even that different, but let’s just try a fresh start, try a new name and maybe it can come across as a new thing.” So we figured, you know, we all grew up in different parts of the country, and then we consider ourselves authors, because we tell our story through our lyrics.
If you go
WHAT: American Authors: Call Your Mother Tour.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. (Doors open at 7 p.m.)
WHERE: Community Concert hall at Fort lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive.
TICKETS: $18.75-$45.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.durangoconcerts.com.
Q: Was it scary for you guys to get rid of your record label and go independent?
A: I think we made that decision peak-pandemic. And at that point, everything was kind of changing around us. It felt natural to change at that point. You know, we were really fortunate. We pretty much had the exact same team at Island Records for the majority of our career there and then, like a year or so before pandemic, the crew just started changing. They were all super supportive, but it felt like a natural progression for us. For independent artists, it is really tough, just so much more organizational. We need to be aware of what you kind of forget about. It’s us putting forth every creative idea: I have a video idea, but now on top of that, I need to be finding the director and video people and every ins and outs of it. And your independent budget isn’t as high, so now you have to be worried about how much you’re spending. Now I’m in charge of cutting down budget, hiring a director with the right cinematographer and video. It’s a lot of work. (We were) really fortunate. They treated us incredible – they always gave us creative control and creative freedom to not only make whatever kind of music we wanted, but whatever kind of music videos we wanted. I don’t know, maybe we got lucky with that, but I think it’s just different in today’s climate of music. I’m not sure if one’s better than the other.
Q: Why did you guys decide to leave Island?
A: It was just like we’ve done three and a half albums with them. Their team was fully changing over, and with that, we could kind of see that they were moving in more like a pop direction versus when we first signed with them. ... It’s changing of the guard, so we might as well try something new.
Q: Were you prepared by the success of “Best Day of My Life”?
A: We’re really fortunate with how it works, because it was a slower build. I think the craziest part was one week we wrote it, the next week it got two very big commercial placements. That was like, whoa, oh my gosh. Just in one week, our lives can change financially, because these two big brands are using it for their commercials. That was really cool and surprising. Other than that, it took a while for the song to grow. We just got back in the van, and that slowly grew into a bus tour.
I always say that when we first started touring or doing some shows with a band that was maybe a little past their peak at the moment, and they had the full bus, one of our radio reps from our label said, “Guys, remember this day. Do not outgrow the van and trailer once you get into a bus. ... There will come times in your career where it just makes more sense to be in the (van). You got to let go of your ego, get back from the bus.” ... I think it’s just super important to always be aware, and to be self-aware, and to keep your eyes open so you can really extend the longevity of your career and your art form.
Q: Is this fun? Is it still fun for you guys?
A: We’re best friends. We all write together, tour together, talk on the phone. We’re still spending the majority of the van rides throwing around ideas and talking with each other and just trying to help with that next great plan.
Q: What do want listeners to take away from “Call Your Mother”? What are some of the themes?
A: This one is really about the importance of stretching out a hand to your friends, your family, reaching out and being there for one another. We don’t know how long everyone has on this Earth, and it’s better to extend and take advantage of that now, before it’s too late. With “Call Your Mother,” so much of these songs deal with loss and grief. I lost my mother recently, right before we went in to write and record this, so you can really hear that message.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: We are going to be touring essentially till the end of the year. I think what is cool about being independent, especially with how the modern music biz works, is we are just going to continue to release new music. We’ve got two Christmas songs coming out before the year’s over, and I’ll tell you now we’re just gonna jump into album six starting in January.
katie@durangoherald.com
