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FiXT New Noise: ENMY Discuss Writing, Touring & What’s on the Horizon

For our latest FiXT New Noise interview, Cincinnati hard rock outfit ENMY discuss what’s going on with the band, writing, touring, and what is on the horizon.

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FiXT New Noise: ENMY
FiXT New Noise: ENMY

Time for another FiXT New Noise! Between crowd-surfing first-timers, surprise appearances from friends and family, and the controlled chaos of the live set, touring has reaffirmed ENMY’s purpose. The road has always been more than just a series of venues, but a reminder of why the music exists in the first place. For ENMY, the latest run of shows has delivered exactly that: sweaty rooms, unpredictable moments, and the kind of fan interactions that turn strangers into lifelong fans.

At the same time, a new level of creativity sparked behind the scenes, with a more collaborative songwriting process and a willingness to experiment, ENMY is shaping the next chapter of their sound.

In this interview, the band opens up about life on the road, the evolution of their writing process, the themes driving their new material, and the energy of their live shows continues to drive them on. With new music on the horizon and major festival appearances ahead of them, including Upheaval Festival, Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, and Rock on the Hill, they are looking to take bigger stages. They are just getting started.

On Touring & Live Energy:

Touring has a way of reminding bands why they started in the first place. What’s this recent run been like for you emotionally and creatively?

“I personally have always watched band DVDs and longed for my own experiences on the road. Seeing new places and having conversations with strangers that turn into new friends. Being on the road just solidifies that this is what we want to be doing, and we want to see how far we can take it. In turn, that means writing more music that would take us to the next level and envisioning what ENMY would sound like on these bigger stages.”

Has being back in “sweaty rooms with zero personal space” changed the way you think about your newer material?

“Actually, a sweaty room sounds pretty nice after this last run of shows in Texas and Florida, where the temperatures got down to the low 30s. We’re always thinking about how we can improve our live show and if spur-of-the-moment things we do during our set can be incorporated in new ways!”

Do you feel like your live presence has evolved compared to previous tours? More refined? More chaotic? Controlled chaos?

“I think controlled chaos is a good description. We feel like we do our current material justice live, so it’s just a matter of finding a balance between going crazy and also making sure you don’t wake up the next day with a neck brace.”

What’s been a standout moment from this tour — something that made you stop and think, ‘Yeah, this is why we do this?’

“We had multiple times during this run where we saw people we’ve worked with in the music industry stopping by, friends, and family making special trips to come see us in other cities. The kids of childhood friends crowd-surfing for the first time and coming up on stage with us. It’s hard not to be grateful when you get to share those experiences.”

Does seeing fans react to older songs shift how you approach writing new ones?

“I think we’re always in a constant state of growth, learning from popular songs from our catalog but also wanting to test our creative limits and trying out new styles when it comes to writing. Asking ourselves what it would sound like if we did ‘this or that’ style of song. That’s how we feel like we grow as musicians.”

Writing Process – What’s Different This Time?:

You said the writing process feels a little different this time — what specifically has changed?

“Previously, we would demo a single song instrumentally and then go to the studio to record vocals and release it to streaming platforms. This time we’ve been working on a handful of instrumentals, and then two or three of us will sit down and work on melodies and lyrics. Once we’ve got all of the songs finished, we’ll plan a release schedule based on the strongest singles and go from there!”

Is the shift more technical (workflow, production, collaboration), emotional (themes, mindset), or structural (songwriting approach)?

“The workflow and production have been very collaborative, with everyone in on writing sessions, so we make sure that each section of each song has interesting parts to it and lays down a good foundation for vocals. While working on the songs, and depending on the shifts in progressions and major to minor, there is usually a story taking shape, and you just have to keep chiselling away until you create the final product.”

Did touring play a role in shaping this new process?

“You’re always looking for inspiration when you’re a creative, and I think some of the biggest things that we took away from this tour are the deep connections that our fans have with our songs, and to keep writing from the heart. Obviously, hearing other bands performing their best work as well, and seeing what the crowd responds to, will definitely shape the way we’re writing instrumentally and in terms of subject matter.”

Are you approaching lyrics differently than you have in the past?

“We are! We have all been getting in on writing sessions, which feels like it flows a lot better. We can hone in on the idea that we’re going for, and having three minds solving the puzzle at one time definitely produces the best result. Just one line contributed can shape the overall story of a song.”

Has the band dynamic changed in a way that’s influencing the creative direction?

“I’ve been encouraging the guys to contribute to lyric writing so we’re all proud of the final product. I’ve always loved watching bands on stage who are singing along to their songs, whether they have a microphone or not.”

Were there any risks you took in this writing cycle that you might not have taken before?

“We’ve been messing around with poppier melodies and delivery vocally for this album. We’re always trying to experiment to see where our sound can go and how we can develop as musicians by bringing in elements from other genres to change things up.”

ENMY “Last One Standing” single artwork

ENMY “Last One Standing” single artwork

Themes, Sound & Direction:

Without giving too much away, how would you describe the sonic direction of the new material?

“We’re going in a dark, melodic direction instrumentally and balance things out with catchy melodies. The new songs have a lot of atmosphere to them while still keeping some heavy riffs to scratch that itch.”

Does this new work feel like an evolution of your previous sound or a departure from it?

“Definitely! I feel like we’re maturing and getting even more comfortable with our writing process and execution, so we can take more risks.”

Are there particular influences—musical or otherwise—that have crept into these songs?

“This record has been about leaning into the atmosphere and embracing the dystopian elements. Making dark love songs and putting ourselves into the headspace of that visual setting.”

What emotions are driving this batch of material?

“We’ve been taking uncertainty, confusion, and unpredictability and turning them into a superpower. Taking that tension and spinning it into something beautiful.”

Is there a central thread tying these songs together?

“I’m not sure how the rest of the album will turn out, but the first few songs have been about dark fantasy and relationships. Taking our personal experiences and defeats and turning them up to 11.”

Excitement & What’s Coming:

You mentioned being excited about what’s coming together — what has you most energized right now?

“I think what gets me most excited about what we’re working on is the unpredictability and seeing how each song comes together. As we complete each song, it feels like it’s getting harder to choose what the singles will be, which is an amazing feeling.”

Is there a specific track or moment in the new material that feels especially powerful to you?

“We’ve been using Game of Thrones-inspired working titles for pre-pro and that has helped keep things interesting (laughs). For me personally, some of the build-ups before breakdowns have been hitting really hard, and when things finally kick in, you get that satisfaction you’re looking for. Having an ‘ah-ha! moment’ while you’re writing and thinking, ‘Did we really just write that?’ is always a great sign. I feel like we’ve had at least one of those moments on each of these songs so far!”

When fans hear this new chapter, what do you hope they walk away feeling?

“We want fans of the band to feel reassured that we’re going to keep growing and improving. We want them to feel like they’re part of our team and get to share in the excitement and the growth. We’re not stopping or slowing down, and we hope they can feel that same energy and excitement, and it makes them as proud as we are to share our music.”

Does this release represent a turning point for you creatively?

“With each release, we feel like we mature as a band and add to our legacy. I think this next album will not only make our current fans stoked but will help us cast a larger net to win over new fans.”

How does this body of work reflect where you are right now as artists?

“I think our new music is a reminder that we’re giving it everything we have and is also a step up in terms of writing to get us to that next level.”

Looking Ahead:

How do you see the new material translating into the live setting?

“I feel like the new material will continue to engage more of the audience when we play live shows. We’re going to continue to bring the energy on stage and bring in new elements that people of different tastes can all enjoy.”

Will fans notice a different atmosphere or intensity at upcoming shows?

“I think we’ve dialled in the atmosphere and intensity in these new songs, and people will see that once we start playing them live. We’ve been writing parts that amplify what makes ENMY what it is and put a fresh spin on the final result.”

What’s the next milestone you’re most looking forward to?

“We’re looking forward to the release of the new album and the big festivals we’ve got coming up, including Upheaval, Inkcarceration, and Rock on the Hill. For us, it’s less about the milestones but more about putting in the time and effort to ready us for future opportunities. The sky is the limit!”

FiXT is a multi-genre, independent artist-owned record label and publishing company, founded in 2006 by Klayton (Celldweller / Scandroid). FiXT’s catalog has garnered billions of streams, connecting with a core audience of gamers and sci-fi fans, and serves a global fanbase in over 150 countries, reaching millions of listeners each month.

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