Yellowcard’s Sean Mackin on the Band’s Reunion and Coming Together for New EP, Childhood Eyes

Last year, rock icons Yellowcard reunited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their beloved album Ocean Avenue, which eventually snowballed into something much bigger.

The result is their new EP Childhood Eyes, released today and marking their very first body of music since their self-titled album in 2016. Featuring five tracks (including collaborations with Vic Fuentes of Pierce the Veil and Dashboard Confessional's Chris Carrabba), the new EP lives up to the challenge of channeling classic Yellowcard while refusing to simply retread their greatest hits, moving the group into the modern era with a fresh sound. Once we heard its title track, we knew it was something special, and we had the privilege of chatting with Yellowcard's violinist and backing vocalist Sean Mackin to learn more about the reunion and what Childhood Eyes signifies to the group as a whole.

Sweety High: What has it been like to make music as Yellowcard again after some time apart?

Sean Mackin: It truly is unbelievable. When we said goodbye, I truly thought it was the end. Now that Yellowcard is playing again, we are just having the time of our lives.

 

SH: What does the EP name Childhood Eyes mean to you? Why did that title track feel like the perfect summation of this group of songs?

SM: The EP Childhood Eyes represents where we are now. It is a zero-expectations, fresh look at where we are now. After so long, you try to plan or predict what's going to happen, and we didn't want to fall into old habits—we wanted to focus on fun and happiness.

 

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SH: What do you feel are the overarching themes of the EP? What kind of feel do you hope fans take away from it?

SM: The overall theme of Childhood Eyes was an offering of the best Yellowcard had to offer. It was nice being able to write and record as a confidential project—no distractions, no expectations. So we wanted to put out the best parts of Yellowcard sound over the past 20 years, with updated lyrical content. I hope fans take the positivity and summer vibes that we put together on this collection of songs.

 

SH: In what ways is this EP evocative of Paper Walls? Why did it feel right to look back on that album and channel its musical energy all of this time later?

SM: Paper Walls sonically embraced the Ocean Ave sound with a lot of the other elements we have used on different YC albums. After time away, reflecting on our discography and listening to our fans, it did feel right to naturally want to offer a sound that reminded people of maybe why they love YC.

(Photo credit: Jason Hackett/ Design: Mara Bearcat)

 

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

SM: Yellowcard is guitar rock colored with innovative violin overtones. We combined the best percussionist Nate Young (Anberlin) with our lifelong YC team, and everything just fit naturally. We did spend extra time sending demos back and forth due to our distance apart, and maybe overall, that helped with developing the ideas better.

 

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SH: There are a couple of interesting collabs on this EP. How did those come to be, and what do you feel they add to the album as a whole?

SM: Both features, Chris Carraba (Dashboard Confessional) on "The Places We'll Go" and Vic Fuentes (Pierce the Veil) on "Three Minutes More," came together organically. Vic has an incredible talent with such a big heart and has always been there for us. Ryan Key hit him up and invited Key to their studio and just jammed. Jaime of PTV engineered Vic's vocals, and I think you can hear the fun, friendly energy in the track.

For Chris, man, what a moment "The Places We'll Go" turned into for us. Quietly, my favorite tune on the EP. But to have arguably the most recognizable voice of our generation lend his gifts to sing a duet on a YC song, I mean, come on. He was generous enough to track and arrange his part in between his exciting tour schedule, and man, is it just the chef's kiss. So grateful for both men. I think we have always talked about an opportunity to have our friends collaborate with us, and after time away, we did not want to miss another opportunity.

 

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

SM: These songs are a current snapshot of where we are. Positive, hopeful, happy and excited. We embrace our journey and are grateful for this opportunity. But I want to enjoy and squeeze every last bit out of it because we love playing music.

 

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

SM: I touched on "The Places We'll Go" with Chris Carraba, and I think that it is a sonic journey that offers the most mature YC ballad sound. But if I had to pick another, I'd go with "Hiding in the Light," an uptempo love story about the balance of life, all while having what I think is the best violin and guitar solo YC has tracked.

(Photo credit: Acacia Evans)

 

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SH: How are you feeling about releasing this new era of Yellowcard to the world?

SM: We are so happy with the release of Childhood Eyes. We never thought we would get to make music in this capacity ever again. We are excited to see these songs take on a life of their own as our beloved listeners take them over.

 

SH: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

SM: Just want to take a minute and thank our fans and friends that have supported us over these years. Everyone who has celebrated Ocean Ave at these shows and has shared our music with a friend, we are forever grateful. Thank you.

For more on our favorite new music out today, click HERE to read our interview with The Elevator Boys on their debut single, "Runaway."