Exclusive: Senses Fail Interview

New Jersey's post-hardcore veterans, Senses Fail, are gearing up to release their fifth full-length, titled Renacer [Spanish for "to be reborn"], on March 26th, and for many of us the excitement is at an all-time high. As the new singles have proven, the band has taken a different approach this time around, but it's nothing short of remarkably limitless. Below you'll find my conversation with frontman Buddy Nielsen, where we discuss the album, touring with younger bands, working outside of Senses Fail, and his side-project, Bayonet. Pre-orders for Renacer can be found here (physical) and here (digital).

For the record, can you state your name and role in the band?

Buddy: Buddy Nielsen, vocals.

The band's fifth full-length, Renacer, is just under a month away from being released - how're you feeling right now? What sort of reception are you expecting?

Buddy: I am very excited. This is the most confident I have felt about any of our records. I expect some people to like and some people to not like it. I really am not sure what the reaction will be. I just want to get it out there.

I've personally really, really enjoyed the album, both lyrically and musically. It's definitely a departure from previous releases, but at the same time I feel like Senses Fail has constantly evolved one way or another. You've stated that the band intentionally took a different approach on this record, working with new personnel - as you've gained more experience, did you feel like you could release something different without worrying about others' expectations, or is this merely the members' different musical influences surfacing?

Buddy: Thank you for the kind words. I felt like we needed to go in a different direction and at this point in my life, and in our lives, we don't care about expectations. One of the freedoms of growing older and becoming more secure in yourself, is that you aren't worried about the opinions of others. We had really nothing to lose on this record and I think that is the best approach a band can have when making music.



The album's first single, Mi Amor, is sung mostly in Spanish, which was certainly a bold move. Being fluent in the language myself, I have to praise your pronunciation. Did you practice much before recording the track? Was it originally written in English or was it always meant to be translated?

Buddy: Thanks! I took Spanish for many years in school. While I am not fluent in it, I did retain a lot of the pronunciation. It was written in Spanish and I translated what I wanted to say from English. I really didn't have to practice that much, it honestly came very naturally. My girlfriend speaks Spanish so I had her help me a little and made sure she proofread it and explained how to pronounce some of the words.

Your side-project, Bayonet, released an EP in 2011 that explored a more traditional hardcore punk sound - was that a way of testing the idea of a heavier sound before bringing it into Senses Fail?

Buddy: Bayonet was a way for me to play the actual music I wanted to be playing. Senses Fail at the time, was not able to go in that direction. After the last line-up change, I was able to take it more towards that goal.

Speaking of, is Bayonet still working on a full-length record?

Buddy: Nah. Bayonet is pretty much done.

Over the years, you've also become more involved in the behind-the-scenes aspect of music, managing bands and working at record labels - what's inspired you to shift into different areas?

Buddy: I needed to find a way to make money. Senses Fail doesn't provide me with the ability to pay my bills, as it did when we were more popular. I needed to find something that would allow me to keep doing SF and keep touring while giving me a career that I could fall back on. I also didn't and still don't know how long Senses Fail would/will last. It is always a good thing to have something to support your passions and this is what that does.

You were also label manager at Mightier Than Sword Records for some time. Most are already aware of the label's woes with the blink-182 Take Off Your Pants And Jacket vinyl pressing. Can you shed any light on the downfall of MTS?

Buddy: He [RJ Crowder-Schaefer - label owner] got in over his head and didn't have the experience to foresee the ground he was laying. I do thank him for giving me my first job in the music industry. I learned a lot about the dos and don'ts.



Senses Fail has also been taking out younger bands, such as Man Overboard, The Story So Far and soon Handguns, and Real Friends, out on tour. Being bands that we've listened to since the beginning, we really respect that, and we can relate as our main focus is to expose talented local bands. Have others suggested these bands to you or have you found them yourself?

Buddy: No, we don't really take suggestions. I put together a list of who I think makes sense and then our agent goes out and sees if they are interested/available. I love bringing out bands thats are up and coming. I want people to associate Senses Fail with bringing them new music and I want to give bands their first chance. It is very very hard right now for young bands, who haven't been given a chance, to get that first bigger tour. Most agents and managers don't have their finger on the pulse of what is up and coming and they overlook things.

The first 500 Pre-sale tickets for the upcoming tour with Such Gold, Real Friends, and Major League also offered a free 3-song covers EP - were these recorded specifically with that idea in mind?

Buddy: Yeah we decided we wanted to do a pre-order for the tickets and offer something special.

To some, music is just another business - do you think that's why more bands that've been around as long as Senses Fail has, don't tour with bands that may not have much to offer in return but would benefit from the support?

Buddy: I am not really sure. I think most people in bands, who have been around a while, stop paying attention to the younger bands. I think they grow older and get away from the root of where the music comes from. It isn't a fault, I think it is just a reality of growing older.

What other countries do you plan on visiting once Renacer is released?

Buddy: As many as possible. Right not now we have UK, France and Belgium.

I imagine it's not a priority right now, but are there any further plans for the 10-year anniversary of Let It Enfold You (2004)?

Buddy: Not right now but there will be.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Is there anything else you'd like to finish off with?

Buddy: Thanks to everyone that supports the band!

Interview/edited by Mario Parra

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