Marianas Trench Bassist Mike Ayley Dishes on the Journey Behind the Band’s Sixth Album, Haven

Platinum-selling pop-rock band Marianas Trench have been constantly evolving since their debut in 2006, but they're truly reached new heights with today's release of their sixth album, Haven.

The Canadian four-piece band's new outing was inspired by Joseph Campbell's notion of the hero's journey. Each of its 13 songs incorporates elements that are said to be shared between every hero's journey, adding a touch of universality to the narrative as the group performs their often operatic, high-energy pop-rock driven by bold synths and orchestral arrangements. We were eager to learn more about the album and its story, and the band's bassist, Mike Ayley, was kind enough to answer all of our most burning questions in the interview below.

Sweety High: What does the album title Haven mean to you? Why did that closing title track feel like the perfect summation of this group of songs?

Mike Ayley: Haven represents a destination or place, maybe metaphorical, maybe actual. For me, it's more a state of being, a safe place or a place where everything's idyllic. It's peace of mind. I'm not worried. I'm calm. My spirit, mind and body are all energized but not restless.

(Haven via 604 Records Inc.)

 

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SH: What do you feel are the overarching themes of the album? How was Haven inspired by Joseph Campbell's The Hero's Journey, and how does that framework show up across the album?

MA: I look at the album in relation to life, opportunities, challenges and the bigger moments that present themselves to us as we live our lives. We encounter so many key points in life where we can embrace the situation and see what we are made of or, better yet, see what we can become. I really hope on a surface level, fans will enjoy listening to the album. The idea is that it will have an interesting arc from start to end. I also hope, for some listeners, this can be their own permission or invitation to embrace a call to adventure in their own lives. Maybe it's something they have been afraid to explore or putting off "for another day." I just think the coolest part of life is growth and discovering the new you, the you that you created with intention and determination.

If you look at the songs one by one, you'll see how they each align with the key plot points that Joseph Campbell studied in The Hero With A Thousand Faces. It really gave the album direction early on in the creative process. Later in the process, it added unique challenges we haven't experienced before because we had to make sure that we both addressed the listening flow of an album while still making sure the plot points were met. It was a fun one to see come together and no easy feat for Josh [Ramsay] to accomplish.

 

SH: How would you describe the album's sound? Production-wise, how did the band go about bringing these tracks to life?

MA: This is the most cinematic album we have done. To me, that means it feels more three-dimensional. While listening, I feel like I'm watching the songs rather than listening to them. We explored lots of new sounds with analog keyboards and synths and delved further into the symphonic realm than we have in the past. It's really cool to hear it all come together so well.

 

SH: How do you feel that these songs represent where you all are in life right now?

MA: I feel like each band member would have his own answer to this. For me, I decided to actually take on the theme of the album into my own life. The goal is to grow in the best way I can. Trying to become the best version of myself as a band member, member of the human race and as part of a family is a lofty goal but why not really see what you can make of yourself. Why not embrace this as a catalyst to apply yourself with more intention and awareness than before? Just aiming for small improvement one day at a time. As well, we all have children now and being a great parent is a never-ending quest. Being in this band and chasing our best and trying to fulfill our full potential is kind of like that too. You really need patience, persistence, generous understanding of people, especially the ones you spend the most time with, and yourself.

(Photo credit: Karolina Turek)

 

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SH: What are your favorite songs on the album? Why?

MA: I really like "A Normal Life." I think it leaves a listener with zero doubt that they are about to enter into an intense listening experience and it also really introduces the concept very effectively. I love "Lightning and Thunder," "Stand and Fight," "Turn and Run" and "Into The Storm" very, very much. They all really connect with my feelings like that songs are hard-wired to my heart.

 

SH: How do you think you've evolved as artists since Phantoms?

MA: I think we have been doing this for a while now—evolving from album to album. I remember being quite nervous about releasing our second album, as it was a notable departure from the first. Our fans loved it! In fact, that is really when our audience grew and many of our long-standing current fans discovered us. It's now expected when we begin a new album that we will explore and find something new or different to embrace by both ourselves and our audience. In this album, the songs are both simpler and more complicated than Phantoms. As players, some of the stuff we are doing is much more challenging than anything before. In particular, there are some parts where the playing and singing independence is a real mind-****.  Haha! I know that if this was the first album, I would never have made it!

 

For more on our favorite new albums out today, click HERE to read our interview with Paris Paloma on her debut album, Cacophony.