INTERVIEW: 500 Miles To Memphis | Bunbury Music Festival 2015

500 Miles To Memphis, the veteran Cincinnati-based country-punk hybrids are set to play in their hometown at the Bunbury Music Festival on Sunday, June 7.  They are supporting their latest album, Stand There And Bleed, funded in part by a successful Kickstarter campaign and released to great praise last fall.  

Atlas and the Anchor spoke to vocalist/guitarist Ryan Mallot about their new album, playing Bunbury and more.

Your band has been compared to a lot of great bands like Social Distortion, Green Day and Lucero but who or what are some of your less obvious influences?

"The Assponys, NoFx, Neil Young, The O's." - Ryan Mallot  

After a three year wait between albums, your fans pitched in to help with the Kickstarter campaign for Stand There And Bleed.  That has to feel good to know you have the support of your fans, what does that mean to you as a performer?  

"It means the world to us.  If not for our fans and friends helping us out, we would not have been able to record a new album.  I feel like we owe everyone so much more than just a new record.  Maybe a foot rub?" - RM  

Now in its fourth year, you have played the Bunbury two other times and will play for your third time this year.  I think that might be a record for the festival!  What do you like about playing the fest as opposed to the smaller, more intimate shows?

"I'm very proud to be a part of such a large event.  Bunbury is another large feather in the cap of Cincinnati.  It has been wonderful watching the music scene and support of the local music scene grow over the years.  I feel very honored to be a part of it." - RM 

What bands are you excited to see at Bunbury this year?

"Brand New, Avett Bros, Old Crow, Walk the Moon, Wussy, The Decemberists" - RM 

My favorite track from the new album is the poppy and propulsive sing-along “Bethel, OH”.  What is your favorite song of yours to play live and why?

"I love playing 'Bethel, OH', but my favorite is 'Cows to the Slaughter'.  I wrote it for my mom and it works live very well." - RM 

What does the future hold for the band?

"Always in motion the future is.  For right now we are taking a break from touring.  Almost all of our shows for the rest of the year are local.  We are enjoying spending time with our families and friends.  Life is good." - RM   




Stream their excellent 2007 Deep Elm Records released debut album, Sunshine In A Shot Glass here: 

For tickets: www.bunburyfestival.com  and more info: http://www.500mtm.com/