Interview: Memphis May Fire Talks Upcoming Record and Accompanying Tour

Photo courtesy of @caaalebarnaud on Instagram

Memphis May Fire has been a force in the scene for over a decade, but with their new album Shapeshifter, they’re offering a deeper, more evolved version of themselves—both musically and emotionally. With singles like ‘Infection’ and ‘Overdose’ already giving fans a taste of what’s to come, the band is ready to unleash a full collection that’s more raw, experimental and personal than previous releases. This album doesn’t just showcase a shift in sound—it’s a glimpse into the band’s life from pushing creative limits to experimenting with innovative recording and production techniques, and everything in between.

After years of evolving and shaping their sound, the band is more excited than ever to share the record in full with their fans, beyond the singles they've released. I caught up with lead vocalist Matty Mullins, over Zoom, to dive into the creative process behind Shapeshifter, the struggles and breakthroughs fueling the album, and what fans can expect when the band hits the road for their upcoming tour, this April. 

With eight of the tracks already released, Mullins expressed his excitement for fans to experience the album in its entirety. He explained that, while the songs weren’t initially written with a specific theme in mind, the album has evolved into a cohesive journey that will feel distinct when listened to from start to finish. 

“When it’s packaged as a whole, and people can listen to it thematically—even though it wasn’t written that way, it just became that way—it’s special to see it and hear it evolve from start to finish,” Mullins shared. “It’s going to be a completely different experience, and I’m excited for people to experience that. We’ve obviously been able to listen to it that way for a long time, which is awesome, but it will be different. It might even sound a little different, but I can’t give too much away.”

As Matty highlights, Shapeshifter promises to be a unique and evolving experience for listeners, with themes and sounds coming together in unexpected ways. This sense of evolution is reflected not just in the album’s overall journey, but also in standout collaborations, like the one with Christian Lindskog of Blindside on the track "Overdose."

For Matty, this collaboration was a dream come true, as Blindside has long been his favorite band and a primary inspiration behind Memphis May Fire’s sonic sound. “So we’ve had all these cool features over the years like Andy Mineo and Larry from My American Heart, but Christian is one that I always wanted; and I wanted to wait for the right song for him to be on," Mullins said. "This one stood out to me a lot.” 

The addition of Christian’s signature style—seamlessly balancing singing and screaming—brought something truly special to the track, and it’s a moment Matty is particularly proud of. Not only did it fulfill a personal dream, but the response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive. "It’s really cool to see Blindside’s name get pushed in front of people again, and for them to rediscover all the records they loved growing up," Mullins added.

Considering the creative process behind the upcoming release, Mullins explained that Memphis May Fire is never about settling for the first draft of a song; each track is continually reshaped and refined until every element feels purposeful. Instrumentals often start as near-finished ideas from drummer Kellen McGregor, but as Mullins begins crafting vocals, the music itself adapts to better serve the song’s emotional core. Riffs are rearranged, verses reimagined and focus points shift to create a dynamic final product where every detail contributes to the bigger storyline. 

“Some really monumental moments [during the writing process for] this record, for me, came from figuring out how to bring concepts to the table that are touchy, sensitive, and hard to admit or self-discover,” Mullins said. “I realized that the only way we’ll ever have a true connection with our fan base is by saying, ‘I am fully human.’ These are things I’m real about. Maybe you have a similar story, and I hope we can connect on that level.”

This commitment to authenticity extends beyond the structure of the song and into the heart of the lyrics, where Mullins draws on deeply personal experiences to share more with fans than just a moment in the music. 

Spanning the entire record, the lyrical content for each track shows a raw reflection of the band’s journey as they grapple with personal battles and navigate collective challenges. These themes are not only cathartic for the band but resonate deeply with fans who find solidarity in their vulnerability. 

“Paralyzed,” in particular, stands out as a powerful exploration of confronting a personal hell and the courage it takes to emerge on the other side.

“I’ve certainly had my own seasons of anxiety and depression and crippling panic,” Mullins shared. “That’s been a big part of my life and has been a huge learning curve for me, finding healthy ways to combat that and heal.” 

As someone who has battled these demons firsthand, Mullins channels his struggles into the music, giving voice and offering solace to the internal conflicts many face in silence. “When I’m going through something life-changing, life-altering, I don’t want a pat on the back... I want to speak with people who can see me and know me because they’ve gone through similar things,” he explained.

Mullins’ approach to writing mirrors the growth of the band itself—capturing honest moments of pain and uncertainty. Each track aims to connect with listeners to not only witness these emotions but also see themselves within them, obscuring the line between artist and audience. 

As Mullins notes, the band’s aim towards authenticity is not in delivering a hopeful message, but in simply being honest and relatable: “Stories of pain, stories of rejection, stories of heartbreak, stories of even self-loathing and addiction... they become stories of hope. They don’t have to sound hopeful. They just have to sound relatable,” Mullins said.

With Shapeshifter set to release on March 28, Memphis May Fire is gearing up to hit the road for their headlining North American tour alongside Caskets, Wind Walkers, and the artist Elijah. As the band anticipates fans hearing the full record for the first time, they’re equally eager to bring the songs to life on tour.

Mullins, reflecting on the transition of Shapeshifter from studio to stage in its final form said, “It’s almost crazy enough to wonder if we can even play some of the songs live, if fans will be cool with them, you know? But I will say, even on this last tour we did with Asking Alexandria, we started introducing some of the new singles, and the most exciting part about that is that they translated really well live.”

For Memphis May Fire, the live experience is about more than just performing the tracks, it’s about deepening the connection between the band and their fans. Shapeshifter captures an emotional journey and the tour offers an opportunity to transform those songs into shared moments full of high energy and circle pits. 

Hopeful that the songs will resonate with fans just as powerfully in a live setting as they have online, Mullins remarked, “With new songs in general, there’s always a little bit of hesitation, but people have been really cool about it and I’m really excited.” 

As the band prepares to bring their most personal album to the stage, Mullins hinted at exciting enhancements for their live performances on the upcoming Shapeshifter tour. 

“We have seen, as a band, specific seasons where it’s like, okay, this is an opportunity for the band to put forth all resources [for] growth, and this is definitely a season of that,” he shared. “So anybody that comes out to the Shapeshifter tour will see a significant increase in what we are bringing to our live show, which is really exciting. I can’t say too much about it.”