Tonight Alive's What Are You So Scared Of? is twelve tracks of catchy pop-punk that will be released on Valentine's Day. We caught up with Tonight Alive's lead singer, Jenna McDougall, for Seven Questions In Heaven on the eve of the album's release.Who are your musical influences and idols?
Personally I'm a sucker for (but not necessarily influenced by) Thrice, Rufio, Missy Higgins, The Script, Led Zeppelin, The Starting Line, Senses Fail, Brand New, Frou Frou, Death Cab For Cutie, Jimmy Eat World, and Rage Against The Machine.
What was the first album, cassette, or CD you bought with your own money?
For as long as I can remember, my friends and I were always swapping and sharing music. I remember recording Queen's Greatest Hits onto a cassette and listening to the Beach Boys on my tape deck when I could only have been 8 or so. Every CD I think of turns out to be something I borrowed from a friend but in that case they were Simple Plan's No Pads, No Helmets... Just Balls, Good Charlotte's self-titled album, and Fall Out Boy's Take This To Your Grave.
You probably get asked this a lot, but what's it like being the only female in the band? What are the plusses and drawbacks?
The guys are my best friends and have been for a long time now so I've never really felt any differences except for I guess when we were younger and they were coming of age and going out when I was still too young. I think the only drawback would have to be that I miss my girlfriends! I went to an all girls school and I have to admit I miss those relationships but at the same time I have 4 older brothers to goof around with and it's always been a lot of fun.
Blink-182's Mark Hoppus shares the vocals on your song "Thank You & Goodnight." How did that come about? Was he in the studio with you?
Our producer Mark Trombino recorded Blink's early record Dude Ranch in '97 and had stayed in touch with Mark Hoppus since. We were looking for a guest vocalist and couldn't settle ourselves so he went ahead and contacted Hoppus and put it to us once he had agreed to record the track! It was a total no-brainer for us but it was definitely not something we would have ever suggested ourselves. We went to Blink's studio in LA and sat in on the recording; Mark was an awesome guy, his personality was as big as his voice and we were totally in awe of him.
Who else would you love to share the mic with?
I'm not sure who I'd like to share the mic with, definitely someone from a heavier band. I've always fantasised about singing clean vocals over really heavy music.
You're going to be playing the 2012 Vans Warped Tour. How excited are you? What are you looking forward to the most? Are there any other bands you're hoping to meet on the tour?
We are absolutely over the moon! I remember the day of our first show I said all I wanted was to play Warped Tour some day. I don't know how much I could have known about the festival at the time but I knew all my favourite bands played it so it feels really special to have reached that goal. We're all looking forward to catching up with the bands we've toured with and met over the past year of touring! I never really think about who I'd like to meet but there are a hell of a lot of bands I'm looking forward to seeing every day!
Finally, tell us what you are so scared of?
I guess where that question originally stemmed from was my fear of being judged.
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