Juliet’s Not Dead Talk New Album, Songwriting And More

Rock four-piece Juliet’s Not Dead will release their new album ‘This World Is Ours’ on Friday 7th February 2025. They kindly chatted to us about the new record, songwriting and more:

Who is in Juliet’s Not Dead, what do they play and how did you meet?

I’m Stevie, the frontman guitar player, I met our bassist Niall Whittaker at college and we’ve played together on and off in some iteration for the last 15 years. Jack Corbett our Drummer used to come to a bar I worked in and pester me with shots of Jäger and it was evident fairly early on we were going to get on well. Dan King is the newest member into the breach and Dan came to us via a social media add we put out looking for a guitarist. He was the final piece of the puzzle.

When did you begin songwriting? – What is your earliest musical memory?

I started writing pretty much as soon as I picked up a guitar but I didn’t really write a full song until I was about 15. I was gigging a lot even then but it was all just cover songs. It wasn’t really until 2015 that we started taking songwriting seriously and really put the time in to releasing our own music.

For me my earliest memory in music was watching both my Grandads playing the piano and the accordion. There was always music around the house. I tried various different instruments before I actually found my way in to music but finally I was at home on a guitar.

Your new album ‘This World Is Ours’ is released on Friday 7th February 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

I actually booked the studio time when we only had 1 song finished. But we love a challenge and we tend to work well under pressure. We’re lucky to have our own studio for pre-production so there was lots of trial and error. Throwing ideas together and seeing what worked and what didn’t and by the time we got to Cardiff to do the final recording we had 17 song to choose from and whittle down to the 10 that made the album.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

We recorded it at Longwave Studios in Cardiff with our very talented friend Romesh Dodangoda who produced it. The mans a genius.

One of the tracks is the latest single ‘Open Fire’. What is the story/inspiration behind the track?

Open Fire is a song which is about being pushed to a point where you say give me your worst. Just throw it at me, I can take it. A reaction to being broken and this is your fight back. A song that really resonates with us all.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album recording sessions?

We were staying in a little house just outside of Cardiff and we even brought a small studio set up with us so that on evenings whoever was under the microscope the next day could prepare while the others cooked tea. We were like a little family. We also developed an unhealthy love for custard which is now just completely out of control.

Who created/designed the album artwork?

We’ve had the idea for the album artwork for a long time and after speaking to Andy Pilkington and seeing his previous work I knew he was the man to bring it to life.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

For me I’d want people to remember the songs and remember we all had a good time. We’re not here for long it’s important we enjoy it.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

Yeah so collectively guitars and bass use Marshall heads and cabs with Line 6 Helix’ to run effects and DI’s. We also have a wall of cabs with built in video wall panels which look really cool on stage.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

So we’re all Durham lads however our local show is always Newcastle as there isn’t really any venues in Durham. Which is mad for city but never mind. I’m not sure I could describe it in 5 words but we are very proud of where we are from.

Which of the tracks on the new album hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

I think in a song like King & Queen you can really hear the the optimism and tongue in cheekiness of it and then in songs like Battle Scarred and Capsize you near the vunerability in it as well as the anger coming in the Chorus when screaming some of the lyrics. And ‘Sinner or Saint’ which is all pretty angry.

How do you look after your voices?

It’s difficult with how much I have to use mine but plenty of water and sleep is the key really. I use a nebuliser and vocal zones to keep things right on show days as well as a good long warm up

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I was brought up on Free and Bad Company and my real in to bands that I love was going to see Green Day in 2005. That was my I want to do that moment. But big fans of Biffy Clyro, Motion City Soundtrack, Papa Roach, Nothing more and I listen to loads of Country Music

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2024/2025?

We are just finishing off our UK Tour at the moment with Sheffield, Glasgow and Newcastle yet to do and we have loads in the pipeline for this year but we cant tell you yet.

Was it a difficult album to write?

No not really. We’ve obviously spend hours upon hours writing but we also had so much we wanted to say so the material was there we just had get it out.

What makes Juliet’s Not Dead happy and what makes you unhappy?

Happy = Easy load ins, free bars, gigs abroad, open roads, Indian restaurants and great craic

Unhappy = Average speed cameras, Traffic, fuel prices and running out of custard

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By BJF Media PR

Juliet’s Not Dead’s new album ‘The World Is Ours’ is released on Friday 7th February 2025 via TMR Records/Earache Digital Distribution. Pre-order the album here: https://tmrrockrecords.com/collections/juliets-not-dead

For more information and live dates visit their official website here: https://www.julietsnotdead.com/