Positive Thinking

"I'm having fun”, Rist says as he takes a sip from his beer. “And for so many years I wasn't having fun. I was angry. People would pay me compliments and I would reply with 'What do you know?', like that kind of attitude. I received some stern words from certain people who would tell me, 'You can't fucking do that! People are trying to tell you they like your band!' and it took me years to realise that: to accept a fucking compliment.”

Looking back at Mezzanine's discography, you can understand where Rist is coming from. The lead single from their debut EP Vile Horizons and the lead single was named Someone To Abuse. To Rist, that alone is evidence that the group are a far cry from where they were a year ago and beyond. The songs on this latest EP, he reflects, are about taking on an optimistic demeanour. “There's an evolution as to how my songwriting's going. It's definitely becoming more positive. Like, I went to a gig at the Rosemount a while back and I was with a friend who said, 'Wow, that band was really depressing, I wanted to be depressed I'd go to my room, sit in the corner and listen to the Smiths.' It's okay to sing about depressing stuff, but for me, that's my own time. I decided I wanted to write stuff that was more upbeat and life-affirming, and it worked. The first song I tried that for was Mannequin Man, the first single from this album and every time I play it I just get really high and jump up in the air. It's just good fun. That was the turning point for when this album began. I and the band are in a completely different place mentally now.”

Listening to Strange Paradise through certainly epitomises where the band wants to be heading and showcases their ability to produce catchy, upbeat rock-pop gems. Their newly released second single King Of The Ring might just be the most appealing of the lot. Rist explains that it was inspired by pro wrestling; a sport which he admits to being obsessed with. “It's a positive tune, and staying positive has been my mantra for the last six months. And there aren't enough songs about pro wrestlers these days”, he adds, laughing. “I can't think of any!”

The Mezzanine guys are releasing their album worldwide on November 15, which will coincide with their launch night. Rist can hardly contain his excitement as we end the conversation on it; “Playing live is my favourite thing in the world. Half an hour on stage, even if it's a stinker, is just... I wouldn't trade it for anything, ever. It feels better now than ever too because I'm happier. I'm not picking dandelions and singing Love Me Do, but it's a big change from how things were a few years ago.”