Relient K returns with their fifth full length studio album, Five Score and Seven Years Ago. Frontman Matt Thiessen discusses the project and reflects on how far the quartet has come since their early days. The conversation underscores growth across songwriting, production, and live performance, signaling a more confident and cohesive sound that fans will hear in the new record.
In those early years the process was a learning curve for everyone involved, including the producer who had not yet built a record from scratch. With time and repetition, the band found its footing and began to trust the craft. On the latest release, the accumulated experience allows for bolder ideas, more experimentation, and a cleaner, more polished sonic palette that stands out from their debut.
Thiessen reveals that his favorite track on the new album is the closing piece, Death Bed. The eleven minute epic is described as the most enjoyable writing session he has ever had, a milestone in creative freedom and musical exploration.
The band is known for wordplay and puns. Thiessen explains that the habit springs from family influences, with both his father and grandfather fond of witty lines. The humor surfaces naturally in the songs, adding texture without overpowering the melodies, and while the pun density is lower now, it remains a signature element.
The biggest ongoing challenge is geography. The group members live far apart, with two in Nashville, the drummer an hour away in Ohio, and the bass player in Denver. Coordinating practices, writing sessions, and tour logistics requires extra planning and patience, yet the band continues to collaborate with resilience.
If the path had not led to music, Thiessen would keep creating in some form. He jokes about spending time critiquing commercials on TV and notes that a stint in advertising might be appealing, despite its political realities and the careful responsibility that comes with it.
Success has not redefined the band’s core dynamics or their friendships. They remain close as friends, and they hope their lyrics carry a positive message. Personal shifts have come, such as moving from living at home to independence, but the tone and mindset of the band stay consistent.
In terms of gifts for a bandmate who is about to become a parent, a playful idea stood out. For Christmas, even before the baby arrived, a Hello Kitty Fender guitar was bought and mounted on the wall, a humorous symbol waiting for the right moment when the little one grows tall enough to reach it.
Childhood memories lean toward action figures. The writer recalls a deep love for G I Joes and the elaborate play sets built from construction paper and markers, transforming simple figures into thrilling adventures with improvised cliffs and secret bases.
Canada holds a special place. The musician was born near St Catharines and visited the country often before touring. Toronto visits are fond memories, including trips with his father to SkyDome for Jays games. He still identifies as Canadian.
Thank you to Matt Thiessen for sharing his time and thoughts.