Mit ein bisschen Verzögerung schickt uns die Band stressbedingt das E-Mail Interview ein wenig später als geplant zurück. So ist die Show in Graz schon vorbei, aber das Konzert von Jesse Barnett (vocals), Chris Rawson  (Gitarre und backing vocals) Josh James (Gitarre und backing vocals), Andrew Rose (Bass) und George Schmitz (Schlagzeug) in Wien steht natürlich noch auf dem Plan. Außerdem kann man es Stick To Your Guns wohl kaum übel nehmen, denn immerhin sind sie fleißig am Touren. In der Steiermark jedenfalls sorgten die fünf Herren schon mal für einen ungestümen Abend – natürlich nicht musikalisch gesehen, in dem Punkt beweisen sie ihre langjährige Erfahrung -, sondern in Form der Stimmung im Publikum. Seit 2003 gibt es die Hardcore Gruppe, allerdings ist von der Originalbesetzung nur noch der Frontman übriggeblieben. Doch seine Bandkollegen sind mittlerweile auch schon einige Jahre mit dabei und STYG veröffentlichte nun am 13.10.2017 ihr sechstes Studioalbum True View.
Im Interview berichtet Jesse mehr darüber:

fm5: You released your newest album True View on October, 13th. How has the reaction been so far?
Jesse Barnett (vocals): The reaction has been incredible. People have been so supportive of this record and to me. That's a pretty amazing hung. Especially with his being our 6th full length record. I'm glad we haven't bored people yet. Haha.

True View is a lot about realization and self-reflection.  At what point was it clear that the lyrics are going in this direction? Have you forgiven yourself after fineshing the record?
The lyrics were a struggle because I was battling internally with what I bought people wanted to hear and with what I felt I needed to write. After I got the support of my band to go in the direction I wanted then everything came out rather easily.
As for my own self Forgiveness, that's a long road but I'm definitely on it.

Have you written songs about other or political topics as well, which didn‘t make it to the album?
No. Everything I wrote made the record: "Cave Canem" is a song about the effect we are having on the environment and how we better change it soon and "Through The Chain Link" is about the responsibility our generation has in a capitalist world. So there's a few political topics.

I‘ve read your mum was the main inspiration for the record and the songs were inspired by conversations you had with her over the last 2,5 years. Did you tell her that before? You used a voice mail from her („3 Feet From Peace“) Was she pleased with how the album came out?
She never knew. My brother told her. She was very overwhelmed by this. She felt she was being honored in a very beautiful way.

Can you tell us about the writing process of True View and your writing process in general and production wise? How has it changed over the years?
The writing process is always challenging because you have 5 different people with 5 different ideas on how to get to the same place. Sometimes our ideas over lap and that's a great thing because there's that moment of smoothness where everyone agrees on something. But most of the time it's everyone fighting trying to come up with the best way. It takes understanding and patience. Like any great relationship.

Trade Wind is your side project. Does this project affect your writing?
I use a completely different part of my brain for Trade Wind and it stays off unless I'm writing for Trade Wind. 

What bands and artists influenced you during the writing process? 
A lot of different artist are always inspiring us. However for this record it was more about people and events that were inspiring us more than bands and artists. This album came from a more honest and original place.

Can you tell us about the concept for the album artwork.Who came up with the idea and also the one for the postcards (special edition)? Do you guys still like to write postcards in times of the internet?
I came up with the idea and I brought it to my very good friend Donny Philips who did the artwork for our last full length, Disobedient. He such a talented artist and her completely brought my idea to life in a way I couldn't have ever imagined. Oise from End Hits Records came up with idea of the post cards.

What can fans expect from your shows in (Graz and) Vienna? Have you planed anything special?
Same as always. Come out and try to shame the place to the ground. ENERGY.

Besides, this Tour and touring with Architects and Counterparts through the US, what is next for you guys?

We have Australia in janruary with Being As An Ocean.

Anything you would like to add for the readers of fm5?
Whatever your big idea is, your life plan, I hope you're working on it everyday. Because before you know you won't have anymore time. So go. Now. Don't wait any longer.

Thank you for your time and the interview!