Back in Oz for a killer new tour, the Canadian stars, who’ve sold more than 7.5 million records worldwide, are all set to rock Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne!
Famous for their super energetic live shows, the chart-topping five piece - who’s latest album ‘Get Your Heart On,’ sees them team up with acts including Natasha Beddingfield and K’Naan - will hit the stage alongside local support acts Tonight Alive and New Empire.
MTV Australia caught up with the band’s guitarist and singer Sébastien Lefebvre to dish on their latest epic album, working with P!nk and why they just can’t get enough of our Aussie shores…
MTV Australia: What’s the significance behind the name of the album ‘Get Your Heart On’?
Sébastien: We're about to get deep. Well, when you say it out loud, "Heart On" kind of sounds like "Hard On" which obviously means erection. We wanted to have a play on words there...a little pun. But also, if you take it literally, it means to put your heart in the "ON" position. Get passionate, start caring... Music has that effect for us, and for many others.
MTV Australia: You’ve got a stack of collaborations on this album, including tracks with Rivers Cuomo, Natasha Beddingfield and K’Naan – what was it like working with those guys?
Sébastien: It was great. We wanted to work with talented people that we liked and respected. And on this record it really gave some different flavors to have them on. For example, Natasha and K'Naan brought some sounds that have never been heard on a Simple Plan record before with their voice and performance.
MTV Australia: The album actually leaked a few days before it was released – did that bother you?
Sébastien: Not really. Those things happen nowadays. As long as people understand that if they want a band to keep making records, they have to buy it. If the numbers are not there, there won't be any money to put the band in the studio for the next album.
MTV Australia: You’ve also worked with Mark Hoppus and Joel Madden in the past – are there any other big names you’d like to work with in the future?
Sébastien: Yes. This was our first time working with a female vocalist and we'd like to do it again. P!nk would seem like a good match. Also, there's a singer we grew up loving. He's in a band called Lagwagon and Bad Astronauts... His name is Joey Cape and we'd love to work with him in the future.
MTV Australia: Your Sydney show has sold out and you’ve added a second Melbourne show. You’ve clearly got a massive Australian fan base – what is it about your sound that you think resonates with audiences Down Under?
Sébastien: I feel like Australia is very much like Canada, but with beaches. People are cool and laid back, and like to have a good time. We were making our second album in Montreal when things started to go well for us Down Under, and it's been a love story ever since. We have very dedicated and loyal fans in Oz and we talk to them on Twitter and such. Good times ahead at the shows for sure.
MTV Australia: Have you ever had a time when you’ve missed touring and performing?
Sébastien: Absolutely. Every time we've been in the studio for a few months, we get eager to get back on the road and play some new songs. After 18 months of touring, you kind of wanna be home. And after writing and recording, you wanna get back on the road.
MTV Australia: What acts do you think are doing it right at the moment?
Sébastien: There's so many cool bands right now... I mean, we listen to so much music. Amongst the ones that have a cool vibe and are doing something original, I would name Lykke Li, Neon Trees, The Kooks, Butch Walker, Foster The People...
MTV Australia: Tell us about the Simple Plan Foundation?
Sébastien: This is something we do side by side with the band. It's our way to give back and to try to help kids around where we live, and the world. Over the past 4 years, we've managed to give about $500 000 to different organisations that help kids and we are very happy about that. We are holding our annual fund raiser event in just a few days and are having a benefit concert with the Montréal symphony orchestra. Should be a lot of fun. http://www.simpleplanfoundation.org
MTV Australia: What’s left to achieve for you guys as a band?
Sébastien: Longevity and continuity I guess. If we can manage to stay together, put out more quality records, and have people care about what we put out and sing about. We've done a lot of things with this band, but the one thing I'm the most proud of is the fact that we are still here today, 4 records in, with the same 5 guys that started the band.
Check out Simple Plan’s full Aussie tour dates below…
Friday September 30
The Tivoli, Brisbane (18+)
www.ticketek.com.au
Saturday October 1 (SOLD OUT)
Enmore Theatre, Sydney (All Ages)
www.ticketek.com.au
Tuesday October 4
Palace Theatre, Melbourne (18+)
www.ticketek.com.au
Wednesday 5 October
Hi Fi, Melbourne (Under 18s Only)
www.thehifi.com.au
*New Empire will not appear at Melbourne’s Under 18s Hi Fi show
Copyright : MTV Australia
