Rob caught up with Gavin Butler from The Blackout to talk about their new album 'Hope', pledge music, their current tour and festival plans.

You guys have been together as a band for 8 years now, what would you say your main high and low points have been so far?
Gavin Butler, Vocals) I don't think there are any low points other than being away from family and friends while on tour, But highlights mainly visiting places that Id never thought to go to even Australia, Japan or even Glasgow or even Birmingham! Travelling and meeting new people.
You have just released your new album ‘Hope’ how did you find working on this album compared to your previous releases?
We found this album quite easy really, not in an arrogant way, as in we'd all been writing seperatly, Its been so long since the last record, that we all came to the table with about 4 or 5 songs each ready to go, Jammed on them, working bits out, then we had 18 tracks ready to go in about a month, We did some preproduction when Jason Perry got on board, it was really fluid and organic, I think we learned a lot from the last record, It was the first time we'd worked with a producer who was heavily on board with the writing and song structure, this one just seemed easier and were better at crafting songs I think.

Are you happy with how the album has gone down with your fans and the press?
I know every band says this but its easily the best stuff we've done, were very proud of it, and for the fans to love it as much as we do is amazing, when a new album comes out, some people grumble about it being not like your old stuff, but we haven't had that this time.

What would you say your favourite song from the album is and why?
There's two stand out ones for me, but I'm sure that will change within a week, The storm, its something we haven't tried before, we've pushed ourselves on it and drawn on different inspirations for it. Higher Higher because its been fantastic playing it live, its the best song in the set, people have been loving it.

To fund creating ‘Hope’ you went through pledge music which was obviously a big success as the album is now out, but what opportunities and fun stuff was given to your fans throughout the pledge process.
We did a bunch of stuff, Pledge came to us with things they've done before, and that they thought people would like, we were pretty much open to anything, were not a band that distances its self from fans, we try to meet as many as we can, it ranged from stickers, photo books, exclusive t-shirts, to VIP guest lists, we coupled that an X box, we've done meet and greets before, but they seemed a bit corporate and boring, so with the X box, it breaks the ice a bit and have a laugh and a game.

What inspires you when it comes to making your music and writing lyrics?
For me and Sean its personal experiences, we are from the school of writing what you know.

You recently supported My Chemical Romance on their arena tour across the UK how did this come about and how did you find touring alongside them?
We asked our booking agent to put us forward for this months and months ago, and we heard nothing back. We were doing a promo shoot in Guildford in the freezing cold, and our management gets a call, saying we've been offered the My chem tour, in 5 days time. We turned up on the first day, and Gerard stuck his head round the door, and introduced him self, the rest of the band and even the crew were as nice as pie, we've found the bigger the band the nicer they are.

You are currently in the middle of your headline UK tour, how have you found it being back on the road playing headline shows?
We've missed it so much headlining that is, I think its been 2 years, we've been chomping at the bit to do a headlining run, it feels amazing to be back on the road and playing to our fans.

The Swellers and Hyro Da Hero are supporting you on the tour how have you found being on the road with these artists and how have they been going down with the crowds?
We shared a dressing room with the Swellers on the 3rd date, and that's when we started to bro down as it were, its always strange on tours when new bands meet each other, its not egos its just we don't know each other, so that day we got to know each other, and its the same with hyro, there amazing guys, it makes a tour a lot more sweet when we all get along.

I understand once this tour is over you are heading out to mainland Europe to tour with Funeral For A Friend, are you looking forward to being on the road with them and are there any shows you are looking forward to more than others?
I was at FFAF second ever show, we've known them guys since then, there good friends of ours and they've helped us out with shows before, but we've never done a proper tour with them, Im looking forward to touring with them, There's a months worth of shows, I think Amsterdam is gonna be good because its a party sort of place, its also a go to place for the surrounding countries.

You have been confirmed for the Reading and Leeds festivals this year, an we expect to see you at any other festivals?
We've got 3 others lined up but not confirmed yet.

You are a perfect festival band and always spend time doing short covers of songs by other bands performing at the festivals you play, will you be carrying on this tradition at Reading and Leeds or do you have other special plans up your sleeve?
We were talking about this the other day, last time we played download we were on the same stage as Korn and faith no more, we did a short meddle of these bands songs but we haven't really discussed it properly yet

What’s your take on the digital revelation killing off the music industry?
Its just technology really, but you do see it, our first album sold more physical copies than our second but more people started turning up at our shows and we played bigger venues, so we had a bigger fan base but less sales, I think with this last record, people have cottoned on that they should buy bands music to support the bands they like, at the end of the day we have bills to pay, a question I heard the other day was can you still bean artist if your not being paid for being and artist, if you spend all your time doing this and no other time for another job, I cant pay the bills at the same time, I think fans have realised this and that with out there support we cant make the music that they like.

Social network sites seem to be a big tool in the music industry these days, with artists communicating with their fans over it and some even ditching their own website and having just a social network page, what are your opinions on social networks as tools in the music industry?
I've literally removed myself from all of these sites, It got to the point that I wast talking to anyone on them just updating statuses on them, people don't care about that surely , for the band however its a vital tool these days, it lets fans into the bubble of a band, esp with twitter, for marketing its a massive tool, with a few movements of my thumb, I can instantly connect with 40,000 people.

Where do you hope to see The Blackout in a year’s time?
Hopefully still on tour, but maybe writing a new record, these albums cycles come thick and fast. Another UK tour, maybe going back to Japan, Australia, I'm just enjoying playing and getting hope out, not looking to far in future though.

One last random question that we ask every band, if you could be an animal out of a zebra or Giraffe which one would you be and why?
A giraffe, less likely to get eaten by a lion although I have seen it happen but not much happened really, plus I'm not that tall anyway so id like the height.

Thanks for your time is there a message for your fans reading this?
Thank you very much for supporting us, be it through pledge, buying the record or buying shirt and coming to the show. You guys are the best in the world!

Interview By Robert Lawrence