Music Q&A with Justin Conigliaro of Up For Nothing
Photo courtesy of Up For Nothing
Last month, Brooklyn based punk band, Up For Nothing, released their new album, Escape Route, via It’s Alive Records! Escape Route is the band’s follow-up to their 2016 LP, Swindled. In this Q&A, Up For Nothing’s Justin Conigliaro (vocals/guitar) talked about the album, how he keeps it posi, and more! Escape Route is available for purchase HERE.
Congratulations on the release of Escape Route! What does the album mean to you?
Thanks so much! This record was an awesome way to reconnect with each other, reconnect with figuring out what we wanted to say and to get the opportunity to convey it all in song. It had been quite a few years since we wrote/recorded anything so it was great to be able to experience that feeling of collaborative energy and effort again.
What’s your favorite song off Escape Route?
My personal favorite is "Sick of the World". Josh, and I believe that Tom would agree. Steven, however is a big fan of the title track "Escape Route".
How did Covid affect the making and creative process of the album, if it did at all?
Yea, the majority of this record was actually written during the COVID-19 quarantine period here in New York (where the pandemic hit really hard). We agreed on a title for the record "Escape Route" before COVID-19 hit as a way to highlight struggles with mental health and wanting the ability to escape our own heads/thoughts from time to time. Then the pandemic hit and the title took on a duel meaning once everyone was stuck inside and wanting to escape a physical location. Aside from title related things, the pandemic gave me the opportunity to have time to write and record demos at home that I normally wouldn't have had, so it definitely helped keep me be creative and inspired to want to say something. I recoded a ton of demos at home and shared them with the rest of the guys for feedback and that's really how the bones of these songs started to grow.
With Covid putting a stop to touring, what was the thing you missed the most about being out on the road?
Well, we actually broke up back in 2016 so we were not actively touring or playing shows at all during that time. With that said, COVID-19 putting a stop to live shows didn't really affect us as a band. We have however truly missed playing shows and connecting with people in that way. Our live shows have always been an extremely positive outlet for us, and we hope the same for those who have come out to see us. We can't wait to play some shows this summer!
We all have our days where it may not be going as well as we’d like. People deal with their worst days in different ways. What helps you get through the bad days? How do you stay positive?
For me personally, I like to keep things in perspective and appreciate everything that I have and/or have experienced. This helps keep me grounded and focused on what is/has been going well for me and makes the bad days feel a little better. I also am lucky enough to work in a school with amazing students that inspire me every day. Keeping a positive attitude helps me pass that energy along to the kids that I work with and that is extremely important to me.
Thank you for taking the time for this Q&A. Any last words or final message for the readers?
Thanks for taking the time to include us! I would just end by saying that we are really looking forward to sharing this record with everyone and would love to see as many of you as possible at the shows! Much love to you all.