The Art Of Tour will be coming to Columbia this month, headlined by veteran pop punk band We The Kings. The tour will also bring This Century, an opener worth checking out.
The band’s latest album, _Biography of Heartbreak_, was released last May, unsigned and self-released.
“On this record we had complete creative control and we didn’t have any kind of filter,” lead vocalist Joel Kanitz says. “We had put out one record, _Sound of Fire_, while we were on Warner Bros Records, and it was a good experience, but we ran into some creative differences. We were asked to be dropped, and they were okay with that.”
Will the band stick with its DIY approach or sign to another label? Kanitz says the group isn’t in any rush to make a decision.
“We are currently not signed and we’re not looking, but we really like the DIY thing,” Kanitz says. “It’s the culture that’s been built around our management 8123. Everyone on our management has a DIY approach. We just enjoyed it because you are your own boss, and for now, we are into the DIY thing but maybe in the future we will sign to a label.”
This will be This Century’s first time performing in Columbia, and their second time ever in Missouri.
“We’ve played in Missouri before, but only once, and it was in 2010 at Six Flags while on tour with The Maine,” Kanitz says. “It was a good show, but it’s hard to gauge what the fans will be like based on one show. Hopefully we have a handful of fans here but regardless, we are very excited about it.”
What’s in store for the band after the tour? Expect an upcoming third album.
“We just got out of a long month and a half of writing and recording our newest record,” Kanitz says. “We just have some vocals to finish up. This record was cool because we gave ourselves a little over two weeks to write this record. And it was kind of stressful but it was really cool. I’m happy to have people hear it and it’s our first record without Alex (the band’s former keyboardist) and it will show a progression of sound, and show fans that we are still This Century.”
So what is in store for those of us that have never seen them live? According to Kanitz, jumping, loud music and lots of sweat.
“I’m a big fan of keeping the crowd engaged in that there are some singing parts (in which we do) a call back,” Kanitz says. “Making (the fans) part of the experience is important.”
So if you’re a fan of what We The Kings brings to the table with their music, then definitely check out This Century. With their catchy pop hooks and energetic live performances, you know this opener won’t be a snoozer.