Interview: The Spill Canvas don’t stop pushing
Adam Davis Powell asks The Spill Canvas about their upcoming Australia tour with The Juliana Theory:
BAND HISTORY & LEGACY
You’ve been making music as The Spill Canvas for over two decades—how do you reflect on the band’s evolution from the early days to now?
It’s definitely a surreal feeling to reflect on how far we’ve come. From band member changes, to just evolving as songwriters and musicians. But I do think the biggest growth comes in the form of learning how to tend to the interpersonal relationships between us. That part is so vital to harbor the best environment for optimal creativity within making and performing music all these years later.
Looking back, is there a particular album or era that you feel really defined The Spill Canvas’ identity?
Defining our identity as a band via 1 album or timeframe is a tough one. I feel this answer would vary between each member. But if I were to choose one, I’d personally say our independent album from 2012, Gestalt. That album covered so much ground stylistically and contains my favorite lyrics I’ve ever written-aside from the newest, unreleased music of course.
What’s one lesson or mindset that’s stuck with you since your debut release that still influences your songwriting today?
I’d say the most pivotal lessons that I still use today in my songwriting came from recording our third album, No Really, I’m Fine. I had really found my voice as a songwriter and learned how to trust my instincts and lean into my authentic self.
SONGWRITING & CREATIVE PROCESS
Your lyrics have always struck a deep emotional chord—how has your songwriting process changed over the years, both lyrically and musically?
I think my process has definitely changed in the standard way of simply getting better at the craft over years of experience. But the biggest change comes from the advancement of home recording technology. Now today, I can create any type of song with a laptop, guitar, keyboard, and a mic. Although that’s been possible for roughly the last 20 years, you can now make release ready music in your bedroom-without the need for some big fancy studio. The possibilities are endless now, and that cracks open creativity on a massive scale.
Are there any tracks from earlier in your catalogue that you view differently now, either in meaning or sound?
I’d say the first 2 albums, Sunsets & Car Crashes and One Fell Swoop, are full of things I don’t relate to anymore after 20+ years. But they’ve taken on new life in the way of what they mean to the fans that have lived a life and made memories within the music.
You’ve managed to maintain an authentic sound while experimenting along the way—how do you balance nostalgia with growth when writing new material?
Being mindful of keeping our live show more balanced in favor of the older catalog is key. We definitely play 2-3 newer songs, but we understand what the best fan experience would be when seeing us live. As for writing and recording new music, as we always have done-we really don’t focus on anything but creating something we enjoy and then hope that our fans will too after the fact.
TOURING & LIVE SHOWS
You’re heading out on tour with The Juliana Theory—what’s your history with them, and how did this tour pairing come together?
We’ve toured with them in 2019, but it was just Brett and Josh in a stripped down acoustic vibe. So finally getting to tour with TJT as a full rock band is going to be so killer. They’re phenomenal live and we can’t wait to hang with our buds and rip in Australia together.
What’s one song you’re most excited to revisit live on this tour, and why?
There’s a couple actually. We don’t normally play “Break a Leg” or “Secret Oath” in our typical set. But honestly, getting to rip all of One Fell Swoop is going to be rad. It’s a great record all the way through.
How do you prepare emotionally and mentally for going back on the road—especially with such a personal discography?
Tour prep has evolved a bit for sure as we’ve gotten older. We all have our own things we do. My emotional prep is definitely more in depth than the other guys, as I’m up there singing and really channeling the lyrical content every night-so that takes a different prep than say Landon, who handles more of the finances and merch stuff in addition to playing bass. Ultimately, it’s all in service of being the most prepared to give the best performances we can every night.
LOOKING AHEAD
The connection between The Spill Canvas and your fans has always felt intimate. How has your relationship with your fanbase evolved through the years?
Since I started this machine in 2002, the relationship with the fans has remained the same at its core. But it has certainly grown deeper in appreciation for them after 2 decades of their support. We wouldn’t be here without them connecting with our music in their own special way.
What inspires you to keep going and creating after all these years? Has your ‘why’ changed?
The “why” hasn’t changed one bit. The goal is to create something to express how I’m feeling in that moment. Followed by releasing it into the world and hoping that others can connect or relate. To vibrate on the same frequency within the universal language of music.
Are there any new projects, collaborations, or directions on the horizon you’re excited about after this tour?
There are some exciting things happening for next year that I’m very stoked to bring to the world, but you’ll just have to wait and see.
If you could give 2004-you one piece of advice from where you’re standing now, what would it be?
Trust yourself and don’t stop pushing, ever.
Finally, for longtime fans and new listeners alike—what can people expect from this upcoming tour experience?
They can expect to hear One Fell Swoop in its entirety. A proper celebration of it turning 20 years old. Plus, possibly a few other bangers. In short, they can expect a killer rock show covering every base.
THE JULIANA THEORY + THE SPILL CANVAS JULY 2025 Australian Tour Dates:
Friday 18th July MELBOURNE, Max Watts
Saturday 19th July SYDNEY, Manning Bar
Sunday 20th July BRISBANE, The Triffid
Tickets from: https://thephoenix.au/
Interview by Adam Davis-Powell.
