Burn The Ballroom

Burn The Ballroom is gearing up to release their latest EP, Melodies For The Outsiders, and we not only have the stream for you, we have a free download of the first single, "Chariot," as well. Produced by Forever The Sickest Kids' Austin Bello, the six-song collection features soaring vocal melodies, chiming guitars and catchy hooks. Listen to the exclusive PureVolume stream and grab the mp3 above.

"This is a record of stories," says vocalist Alan Gant. "We set out to create a drama and I think we’ve succeeded. We’ve always craved theatrics in our music and performances, and we wanted an album that reflected our love of spectacle. While every song on Melodies For The Outsiders is completely different, there is no denying a common thread that weaves this EP into the fabric of who we are, and who we aspire to be as performers."

Melodies For The Outsiders will be available via iTunes and Amazon on March 25. - Purevolume

Burn the Ballroom is a high-energy rock/power-pop group based out of northern Virginia. The quartet’s anthemic riffs and soaring vocals have garnered recognition from a handful of labels, but the group has decided to stick to the DIY ethos by independently producing & releasing their music. You can check out all their previous EPs and debut LP on their website and stream their second full-length Melodies for the Outsiders below.
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Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Burn The Ballroom is made up of singer and guitarist Alan “The Conquerer” Gant, bassist Jackson “Murder Lips” Harar, drummer Jack “T-Bone” “The Dagger” Ivins, and guitarist Sterling “Snuggles” Pearson.

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
While BTB was formed in the right armpit of America (northern Virginia), we come from all over. It’s really an amazing, one of a kind story; pretty inspiring places. I think all of the travel and moving has played a huge part in the creative development and musical perspectives we bring to the writing table as a group. We have been seriously thinking of relocating to the floating metal island from Waterworld, but Kevin Costner hasn’t returned my Facebook messages yet.

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
The band was the brain child of Alan “Lady Knees” Gant back in 2008, but the band really only came together in January 2013 when all the right people and pieces started falling into place- and after the charges were dropped (no body, no crime). Alan and Jackson had been playing music since the project was first conceived, and Jack and Sterling joined the lineup right at the beginning of 2013 (no body, no crime).

How have you grown since you started?
We’ve been working out. No big deal. Tomorrow is chest and triceps day at BTB headquarters. The shows have grown, I suppose. More faces melt, for sure. The pile of tossed panties (interestingly, a lot of unisex pairs…) and the pile of Red Vine wrappers is definitely growing. Seriously though, the writing has grown. The band is made up of four musicians who are very passionate about their instruments and what they. So nothing was ever an afterthought. The songs for our new record Melodies For The Outsiders were carefully composed (mostly by Alan “stitches” Gant) with each instrument affecting and changing the song as a whole as we progressed through the writing process. (Ok, MAYBE the other guys and our sexy producer, Austin Bello, helped A LITTLE.) It’s also been awesome to see the audience grow since our last album release. The response we’ve been getting has been really inspiring.

What sets you apart from other bands?
I’d have to say danger. Musical proficiency and the showmanship, as well, but mostly danger. But the hot kind, you know? We believe it’s our job to entertain, so we strive to put on the kind of show we do, perform at the level that Burn The Ballroom does, and bring that much hot juicy danger at once. We’ve always been in awe of so many of our favorite bands that put on a great show, and that’s what we’ve set out to do. The guys really go nuts on stage and almost never miss a note or cause serious bodily harm to the audience. Except those couple times (no body, no crime). Next question.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
The recognition. For sure. I mean, we can hardly walk into the Hot Topic at Dulles Town Center without being overrun with FAN (Hahaha). But seriously, the band really just loves being a band together. We write well together, and have a blast traveling and performing together. The best part is that we’ve turned this into our full time job and we’ve got the drive to press on. We’re very excited about the future of BTB.

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
These days it’s mostly been the polka/trip-hop/saxophone genre currently sweeping the Euro Trance underworld. Though, we’ve all grown up with lots of really different and varied influences that really affect the stuff we do like Queen, Foo Fighters, The Pumpkins, AFI, all the way from Roy Orbison to Children of Bodom. Our influences are really across the spectrum.

What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
Bringing the show to the world! We’re super pumped to be pushing the new record, and can’t wait to perform it for new ears. We’ve done some really fun stuff, jumping onto Warped Tour and SXSW, but we’re amped for more to come. We’re really set on hitting the road and bringing the music as far as we can. We also want to be the first band to complete the 5 lb. burger/coaster challenge at Six Flags Theme Park. That’s where each member has to eat a 5 lb. cheeseburger and small malt shake before the Batwing ride makes 30 rounds or they make you sawdust the vomit for the day. And you get charged for the burgers. Obviously.

Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
I honestly try to block most of it out (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere). This whole band is quirky!

Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?
Really we want people to hear something different. Something memorable that stands out and takes a new place in their music collections. So when they think of the band, they think of something unlike anything or anyone else they know. We want to bring the show, and the experience, and have that stay in people’s minds. Also take Sterling away. Please.

If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
We’ve been appalled at the frankly embarrassing lack of Foxy Boxing/Nutella Wrestling at rock shows these days. This is Bush League. I’d also love to see bands coming together more on a local level. Everything is so competitive that people forget the kind of results that can be achieved by forming great friendships and alliances with other bands in your genre and locality. Some of the best shows we’ve had have been a result of several of us banding together to bring way bigger crowds of kids than we ever could have alone.

How did your band’s name come about?
Burn The Ballroom? Self-explanatory. haha

What’s the biggest mistake someone’s made while playing?
Hiring Jackson (BAHAHAHAHA) no but seriously. That dude is unstable. Also, Jack has nearly crippled a few kids with slippery drumsticks.

Any pre-performance rituals?
Everyone has their own thing. Jack likes to take crazy eight-minute power naps on top of the van just before we go on. Jackson likes to read three issues of Tiger Beat magazine. Sterling drinks blood (don’t worry, just animal blood, nothing weird). Alan rescues orphans from burning buildings. Also, a very clumsy group high five usually goes down.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’d like to add pyrotechnics to this interview. And a centerfold of Jack in his birthday suit. Thanks for having us!! We look forward to seeing you all on the road and hearing from you all online or at the shows! PEACE! —BTB - Property of Zack