INTERVIEW: Charlie Rolfe – As Everything Unfolds

Barely a year after the release of Collide, Buckinghamshire sextet AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS are ready for their next chapter. Entitled Closure, a highly personal and reflective record, this new EP marks a brave new chapter for the rising modern metallers. We spoke with vocalist Charlie Rolfe to talk all about Closure, including its themes, messages and musical evolution, alongside discussing how the band slot into the current UK metal landscape.

So, you are set to release your new EP Closure very soon. What can people expect from this new release?

Charlie: Lyrically it deals with a lot of things that I think people will be able to relate to, we all go through struggles and if I help one person realise they aren’t the only person feeling the way they do, I see that I have done my job. Musically, it’s much more refined in our sound, and I’m hoping it’s enjoyed by previous and new fans alike!

Closure follows hot on the heels of last year’s Collide. Why did you decide to release a new EP so soon after the release of Collide?

Charlie: I mean we constantly write, it’s just the way our band works, bouncing ideas off each other and creating. We’re greatly inspired by our personal lives with our writing and that’s a 24/7 process so we had a lot of content we were just eager to show.

And even though it has only been a year since your last release, how do you feel you have developed as both a musician and a band in that time?

Charlie: We’ve developed hugely, not just musically but as people too. We’ve had the opportunity to tour multiple times which has really had an impact on how we work as a band, mainly that we started taking things more seriously with the realisation that people actually like us! [laughs] One thing we all make sure of is that we’re all best friends, some bands work differently but I couldn’t be in a creative unit without knowing or being close to the people around me, and I’m so glad no matter what we all remain friends, even when we disagree!

The title and indeed the overarching themes on the record are very personal to you Charlie. Can you elaborate on the themes you are exploring on this release?

Charlie: I mean they’re based on personal experiences I have had but I want people to be able to reflect their own experiences on what I am singing. I try and let people know that no matter what, you’re not the only one going through what you’re going through, and you’re not alone.

And with the record being titled Closure, it very much feels like a new chapter for you and the band. Would you agree with that?

Charlie: That’s the main reason we chose the title Closure for this EP. It felt fitting, as a band we’re moving onto more serious things and just generally growing up, so it felt like the perfect close to a chapter.

Whilst it’s clear that the lyrical themes are very personal to you Charlie, are you hoping that people relate to it as well?

Charlie: As I said, it’s my main goal when I’m writing lyrically, I want people to reflect their own experiences into what I experienced and even though not everyone has gone through the exact same thing, we’re all in it together.

So moving forward, would you say that AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS is now moving towards where you’ve wanted to go?

Charlie: Oh for sure! It’s taken a while as we’ve all been working on stuff in our personal lives, I mean five our of six of us have or will have a degree, so it’s getting to the point where we can really push it and I’m enjoying it so far, and I’m excited for what else it to come!

Musically, AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS blend groove with melody to create quite a big sound. Can you describe the creative process for writing music?

Charlie: Normally Adam will write a backbone structure with guitars and the grooves, Jamie and him often go through drum writing process together making sure it all fits well, then me and Jon will come in and do our parts on-top of a mostly full formed song, but the process changes occasionally from song to song

And at the heart of the sound of AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS are the really uplifting and soaring choruses. How crucial is it for you to have this across the record?

Charlie: Choruses are so so so important, I don’t know why but there seems to be a lot of musicians forgetting that these days, especially a lot of metal core bands. People love a good chorus they can sing along to and something they remember.

With the release of Closure, you’re hitting a scene where British rock and metal has soared in recent years. What do you feel you have that sets you apart from your peers and what benefits does the current health of the scene bring to the band?

Charlie: It’s great that metal and rock is back on the up especially female fronted bands. It’s great, I feel we provide something people want, something different. I have heard countless times that people are fed up of seeing or hearing about another generic metal core band releasing a song that sounds just like the last, we take a piece from most sub-genres within rock and smash it all together into AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS.

Following the release of Closure, you’re set to embark on a run shows with THECITYISOURS. What can people expect from the upcoming tour?

Charlie: Chaos! No I’m joking! [laughs] THECITYISOURS are great, we’re all from the same area so we’ve been friends for years! Me and Mikey went to the same secondary school so the vibe when we play together is fun, and I feel that reflects onto how the audience feel, if the bands are relaxed and having fun, then so will they

For a lot of bands, where they really make an impact is on the live stage. How important is your live experience to AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS?

Charlie: It’s probably something we pride ourselves in, when we write we’re always thinking about if we can do it live or how it will come across live, which I think in the digital age of music, it’s so easy to get away with, although of course we use technology to help us we always try to make our live and record sound, be as similar as possible, because I’ve been to see bands before who I liked on record and I didn’t even recognise songs I know because they sound so different!

To close, we’ll offer you the floor. Do you have anything to say to the readers of Distorted Sound?

Charlie: I’d like to say a massive thank you to anyone who’s checked us out before! It would be amazing if anyone who hasn’t could go and give us a listen on any of the usual platforms including Spotify, iTunes, YouTube etc. Every listen means the world to us. If anybody would like to come and catch as at a show, we’re super friendly and we’ll try put on the best show possible!

Closure is set for release October 19th via self-release. 

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