All Get Out’s new album, Nobody Likes a Quitter, is now in stores. I recently had the chance to talk with frontman Nathan Hussey a little about the release. This interview is a little on the shorter side, as he and the band were readying themselves for their nationwide tour, but we talked about the writing of the album, some of the recurring themes, and the possibility of a solo album.
How was writing Nobody Likes a Quitter different from writing The Season?
It was a different beast all together. From day one we decided that not rushing it would be incredibly important to the quality of the album. I would write at home in both sections and whole songs and bring it back to Atlanta to dissect. I also wrote without intention which is a new approach for me. I wanted to write what was happening organically and I think it paid off. The Season was done with full demos and all in one shot.
What influence did Andy and Robert from Manchester Orchestra have on the album?
Well it’s no secret that those two have had a large impact on me as a musician long before this album. Me and then drummer Josh Kean formed the band with Andy and Rob and it gave it a pretty even smash up of both bands that I’m happy with. Andy dug deep into the lyrics with me for each song and held me accountable for every line. I’ll be forever grateful for that as I learned a ton.
Did the wait between that album and this one ever make you feel pressured, like you were expected to come up with something really special because of it?
It took a lot of time to be ready mentally and emotionally to make another album and it would be a completely different album if I walked in with that on my mind. It took going through life and growth and waiting for that day when it clicks that you’re ready. It was seeing Andy in 2013 getting ready for Cope and him telling me “when you’re ready let’s make an album.” Then it was showing him a demo of the song “Home.” His response to the lyrics to that song was the affirmation I needed to know that I had found the album and what is was about. It’s the naval of the album. Once we got there I felt less pressured, save for a few bouts with normal anxieties, and was able to make an album based around how accurate the music and lyrics were instead of how much people would like it. That’s what an honest album is.
Coming off The Season, and especially Movement, a lot of fans would’ve probably expected Quitter to be a lot more aggressive than it is. Why did you decide to go with a more restrained sound for this album?
Kind of answered this in the previous question. It’s almost like the album is it’s own thing and I’m just digging it up. Like it exists already. Not to get too weird with it though. With where I was in life if I had made an album that was heavier it wouldn’t have been my best. Not to say the next one won’t be heavier, but the lyrical content and music are (hopefully) cohesive. It’s a platform and the right one this time.
Following that, why did you decide to release “Get My Cut” as the album’s single?
Because it’s super accessible. It’s a very easy song to digest for first time listeners and the content is pretty informative to longtime fans.
A lot of fans have been talking about the similarities in melodies and lyrics between “Room to Talk,” “Home,” and “Now You Got It.” What was the reason behind those similarities?
Both thematic and coincidence. “Room to Talk” is a junkyard song musically and we pulled from the same parts to make both. Andy and I were really happy with the contrast of the same chorus in two songs with two different meanings. It was a no-brainer once we heard it. “Now You Got It” just sounds melodically similar in the chorus. I don’t mind that.
What do you think Nathan Hussey from The Spitting EP/All Get Out EP era would think of Nobody Likes a Quitter?
I think he’d be pumped and a little worried and would probably quit smoking sooner.
Finally, do you have any plans for another solo album at any point?
Yep. I’ve already got one started. I don’t know when it will be done or released but there is definitely one in the works and it sounds super sad.