Hi! How have you been?
Hello! We have been doing well, thank you! We hope you have as well.
Can you tell us more about In the Glow of the Vatican Fire?
In the Glow of the Vatican Fire is our 10th full-length album, and it marks a major milestone—20 years as a band. It was an ambitious project, but we felt it was only fitting to create something this expansive to honor two decades of making music together.
Did any particular event inspire you to write this album? Where did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?
Inspiration comes in many forms, and that held true while writing this album. Each song carries its own influences and meanings—some deeply personal, drawn from day-to-day struggles, childhood memories, religion, or darkness. Other songs or lyrics may not have a clear meaning at all. They're there to capture a feeling—of struggle, sadness, or psychedelia.
Almost like a nonsensical poem that, for reasons you can’t quite explain, still feels like it understands you.
Are there any plans to release a new music video for one of the tracks?
We’ve got ideas—and then we’ve got plans for those ideas. Rough sketches. Scribbled fragments. Things that just need time and space to come to life.
And yes, there’s one idea in particular—something truly bizarre, probably a bit beyond our current skillset. But somehow, in that chaotic way things tend to unfold for us, it’ll happen. Soon.
Can you describe the recording and writing process for the album?
Writing this album was a bit different from how we’ve done things in the past. At the time, Rob was playing drums in the band, so he, Steve, and I (Aaron) would get together, toss around riffs, and start laying down recordings. Sometimes we had nearly complete song skeletons to work from. Other times, Rob would take what we had, rearrange it in a way that made sense to him, and send it back. And then there were moments when we’d all sit down and hash things out together until the songs became what we envisioned.
Once the core parts were in place, Amber would add layers—crystal bowls, steel drums, vocal textures that mimicked keyboards—whatever the moment called for. When all the pieces were finally there, she and I would usually pour some wine, tap into whatever we were feeling, and write the lyrics to tie it all together.
It was definitely a process—at times awkward, chaotic, and totally unorthodox. But somehow, it all worked… like a strangely well-oiled machine.
What was it like working with Argonauta Records, and how did that relationship develop?
We began working with Argonauta Records a few years ago on our As Hope Valley Burns album, and quickly discovered what a great label they are. Honest, attentive, responsive, and genuinely supportive—they’ve been a pleasure to work with every step of the way. Gero and his team are top-notch, and it's always an honor to be part of the Argonauta family.
To what extent did each musician influence the album?
Let me start by saying When the Deadbolt Breaks has been grinding it out for 20 years now. Over that time, the lineup’s shifted more than a few times, and every person who's come through has left a beautiful scar on the sound—shaping it, twisting it, making it what it is today.
Rob, Steve, and Amber are no different—and that’s a damn good thing. Making this record with them was like controlled chaos. We threw ideas at each other, tore things apart, built them back up, and somehow ended up with something that felt focused—like we’d been aiming at the same target all along without knowing it.
It wasn’t clean. It wasn’t easy. But it was real—and it went down smoother than a bottle of 20-year-old scotch after a long, brutal day.
Are there any plans to go on European tour?
We were aiming for it this year, but as things tend to go, plans had to shift. We could use a little help pulling it all together, but we’re hoping to make the right connections and, with a bit of luck, take a real shot at it next summer.
There are some wheels already turning behind the scenes—we’ll see how it all plays out.
If anyone has any solid leads or want to talk, we’re all ears. Reach out through our label, Facebook, or Instagram. We’d love to connect.
What else is happening in the world of When the Deadbolt Breaks?
With winter comes writing a new record. Stay tuned!
Thank you for taking the time and interest in speaking with us! We are beyond grateful!
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