PHOTO BY RACHEL MURRAY FRAMINGHEDDU
Ryan Young of Off With Their Heads is currently on a run for a handful of acoustic shows to support the band's acoustic album, Won't Be Missed, before heading out on a full band tour later this month. We had the chance to catch up with Ryan and talk about the album and upcoming tour! Make sure to check the band out on tour and see the tour dates below.
Your album Won’t Be Missed was recently released in October. How has it felt to receive feedback from it from your fans?
RYAN: "I don't really read anything about what I do or ask for feedback. Therefore, when I get it, it's unsolicited. I'm sure there is a lot of differing opinions about what we have going on. The truth of it is that I made this record to try something different and to get out of my comfort zone. Definitely accomplished the latter!"
What song on the album sticks out to you the most and why?
RYAN: "They are all just acoustic versions of older songs. It was cool to see them transform into bare bones. I would say Old Man was what really got me. It transfers styles really well. When I was doing the vocals for it, it reminded me that I still feel that way about its content. So that was all captured pretty well."
Why did you first want to do this handful of acoustic shows before the full band tour starts later this month?
RYAN: "Because when Tim Barry asks you to do a run of shows, you answer that call. Tim is one of the reasons that I got into music. He also happens to be an inspiration as why I stay in it. Watching him evolve into what he is now has been really cool. It's always great bumping into him from time to time, so four days of shows together might be the kickstart I need for a month of full band shows."
Do you personally prefer the intimate crowds of the acoustic shows or the more interactive crowds with full band shows?
RYAN: "They are both their own thing. I play the acoustic shows with one other band member. I like to include the guys in it as best we can. All of them have been with our guitarist John so far. He and I kind of turned the show into dark comedy / storytelling. Not sure if we will keep that up or not, but it has been fun doing that. Full band shows are a great energy release, and I need that."
What is your favorite part about touring?
RYAN: "I don't really like touring. I spent my entire adult life doing it. I like playing the shows and seeing my friends. The traveling gets to me though. I can only go to 'The World's Largest Truck Stop' so many times before it loses it's magic."
Is there a city you are most looking forward to performing in on this run?
RYAN: "Not particularly. I love every place we are headed with Tim. I work 14 hours a day running my own small business. So just walking away from that for a bit will make me stoked on any place!"
ACOUSTIC SHOWS
11/11 - Middle East Upstairs / Boston MA
11/12 - Rough Trade / Brooklyn NY
FULL BAND SHOWS
11/14 - Rebel Lounge / Phoenix AZ
11/15 - Soda Bar / San Diego CA
11/16 - Slidebar / Fullerton CA
11/17 - Recess Ops / San Pedro CA
11/18 - Thee Parkside / San Francisco CA
11/19 - Holy Diver / Sacramento CA
11/21 - Analog Theater / Portland OR
11/22 - El Corazon / Seattle WA
11/23 - The Cobalt / Vancouver BC
11/25 - The Buckingham / Edmonton AB
11/26 - Nite Owl / Calgary AB
11/28 - Park Theater / Winnipeg MB
11/29 - The Aquarium / Fargo ND
11/30 - 7th St. Entry / Minneapolis MN
12/1 - Subterranean / Chicago IL
12/2 - Neshaminy Creek Brewing / Croydon PA
12/3 - Knitting Factory / Brooklyn
12/5 - Hotel Vernon / Worcester MA
12/6 - Great Scott / Boston MA
12/7 - The Low Beat / Albany NY
12/8 - Brighton Bar / Long Branch NJ
12/9 - Metro Gallery / Baltimore MD
12/10 - Howler’s / Pittsburgh PA
12/29 - High Dive / Denver CO