With a new record in stores, SILVERSTEIN front man SHANE TOLD is relishing the opportunity to launch the album at home in Toronto. CHRIS DRIVER catches up with the Canadian vocalist before the promotional machine whisks them away on yet another North American headlining tour.

Earning a reputation for relentless touring isn’t something that happens over the course of an album, and although humble beginnings in Burlington, Ontario might have inspired a touring ethic that has seen Silverstein spend more time on the road then at home since their debut full-length When Broken Is Easily Fixed shot them into the mainstream, it’s their willingness to make personal sacrifices that has kept them playing shows to fans all over the world.

Though Told is adamant the band’s reputation will be maintained at all costs, their hectic schedule and the effects being away for months at a time can have on one’s personal life, he says, proved a major source of inspiration for the decisively more introspective and lyrically confronting record.

“The last four years we’ve been arriving and departing. We’ve taken buses and vans and cars and planes – even a boat once. On an emotional level, living that kind of existence takes a toll and you get homesick,” explains Told as he makes his way to Quebec to start their Canadian tour on a rare support slot with hardcore giants Rise Against. “I was in a dark place when I wrote this record. I wasn’t in a happy mood, I wasn’t feeling a lot of hope and I think that came through. As much as I wanted to give a message of hope and positivity, sometimes it’s hard to stay positive.

“It’s almost like I went to a much more real place this time around and wrote more from the heart. I didn’t care as much about what people thought, I cared about what I thought and these lyrics mean a lot to me,” he continues, though he seems to lose conviction while taking a moment to consider his new lyrics.

Produced by veteran Mark Trombino of Blink 182 and Jimmy Eat World fame, Arrivals & Departures, the third full-length release from the boys – who launched the record with an intimate in-store acoustic set while in Toronto this week – has only been in stores for a day but the feedback is good. And although the word ‘mature’ has been thrown around a lot, the record is a seamless patchwork of crisp vocal harmonies, thumping guitar riffs and dirty breakdowns that will entice a sing-along but won’t leave fans of their heavier repertoire disappointed.

Labeled as one of this year’s most anticipated records by industry heavyweight AP Magazine, the album won’t be stressed-over by the band says Told, who is relatively unconcerned about the record’s reception, comfortable in the methods that drove the creative process in the studio. Besides, the confident vocalist is busy – he’s got a tour to think about.

“With this stuff, you pore over it so much, through so many steps that buy the time you’re finally done and recorded you’re either completely stoked on the way it is or you just don’t care anymore,” explains Told. “Some bands stop caring and make shitty records and other bands are sure of themselves and make great records.”

Arrivals & Departures is out now through Victory/Stomp.

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