Warren Zeiders Talks ‘No Breaks’, Feral UK Crowds and His Glasgow Return
Written by Lauren Page | @LiveWithLP
Warren Zeiders is mentally preparing himself. Not for another tour, the jet lag of another trip across the Atlantic or even the prospect of facing a Glasgow crowd again... His new album is about to come out.
“Just trying to mentally prepare for my record coming out next week,” he laughed when I caught up with him ahead of his return to the UK.
There are probably worse problems to have. Especially when No Breaks arrives just weeks before Zeiders heads back across the pond, including a return to Glasgow on October 11 - which I had to let him know we have all been patiently waiting for.
The last time Zeiders came to the city, the show was absolutely rammed. People were standing outside desperately asking if anyone had a spare ticket and offering pretty much whatever it took to get through the door.
So naturally, I had to ask the important question. Are UK crowds as feral as the Americans?
“You guys are definitely as feral.” Excellent. Exactly the reputation we want to maintain.
For Zeiders, every crowd brings something slightly different.
“I have such a high-octane show that I feed off of energy, and every place is different,” he explained. “Sometimes it’s more feral, sometimes it’s more reserved.”
Thankfully, Glasgow did not leave him wondering where we stood.
Since his last UK tour, Zeiders has taken his live show around the world, including Australia and a huge Stagecoach performance in California.
I was watching that Stagecoach set from the press area earlier this year, and seeing the scale of that production squeezed into the comparatively intimate rooms he’ll be playing over here could be quite something.
That’s part of the appeal for Warren too.
“They’re getting this show and this energy and this polished look that I’ve been refining over the last four or five years of touring,” he said.
“And now we’re going to go take it and put it in a 1000/2000 cap room. The energy is just intoxicating.”
Add a Glasgow crowd into that equation and I think we can all see where this is heading.
This time around, though, there’s also a LOT more music to choose from. No Breaks marks the latest chapter in a Warren Zeiders sound that has increasingly embraced its rockier side, but he describes the new record as a “healthy blend”.
Daughtry and Goo Goo Dolls were among the influences he threw my way, with one particular era shaping the overall feel.
“That’s what this record kind of feels like to me, that late ’90s, early 2000s,” he explained.
Basically, we’re going back to one of the greatest musical periods there is.
The 12-track record isn’t made up of leftovers either. Four songs existed before Warren properly knew what he wanted the album to become, with the remaining eight coming from writing camps in Los Angeles and Nashville.
Think two 12-hour days, a three-storey townhouse and five rooms working simultaneously.
“I was just bebopping around throughout those 12 hours, throwing out ideas, listening to ideas,” he said.
The result is a record that captures a very specific period of his life. “It just kind of tells you what my life has looked like over the last nine months to a year.”
Naturally, I then asked him to do something almost impossible. Predict which song the fans are going to claim as THE song.
Overrated was one contender, but Warren also pointed towards album opener Ruin a Good Thing, describing it as particularly personal after opening up during the writing session.
“I shared so much in a room that day with people I’d never met before. And that’s always such a weird feeling.”
Then there’s Souvenirs.
“That is just a song that you want to put on the speaker and turn it up to level 10.”
Sold.
Although Warren quickly removed all responsibility should we revisit this conversation and discover he was completely wrong.
“I’m not psychic. Only God knows what people will connect and resonate with. At the end of the day, it’s always up to the fans. They’re going to end up picking what they want.”
When it comes to the UK setlist, expect plenty of No Breaks alongside some throwbacks - although I did attempt some completely unbiased lobbying for Ride It Hard.
“That song slaps, Warren.” Apparently, I’m not the only person campaigning for it.
“I hear that quite often. People enjoy that one.”
Consider this another formal request.
There was also one thing Warren refused to reveal during our chat: who would be joining him on the road... “You guys will find out tomorrow,” he teased.
Well, tomorrow has arrived. British country-pop artist Bellah Mae has now been announced as support for the UK run, including Glasgow, adding another reason to get down early.#
This might not be Warren’s last trip across the pond for a while either. When asked whether the UK’s growing country festival scene could tempt him back, he confirmed the interest is there.
“As for the festivals, definitely have interest in doing it. I think for me, it’s just finding the right timing and finding the right slot that makes sense for me to come back over.”
So while Warren Zeiders prepares to find out which No Breaks songs fans claim as their own, Glasgow can prepare for the return of that “high-octane” live show on October 11 - now with Bellah Mae along for the ride.
If last time is anything to go by, we should probably prepare to live up to our new reputation too. Feral. His words, not mine.
Warren Zeiders’ UK tour with Bellah Mae kicks off in Glasgow on October 11.
