Interview: Milestones’ vocalist Matt Clarke talks latest album ‘Red Lights’

Milestones don’t hide any ambition on their 2018 full-length debut, Red Lights via Fearless Records – out now. The Manchester, UK quartet-Matt Clarke (vocals), Andrew Procter (guitar, vocals), Mark Threlfall (bass), and Eden Leviston [guitar]-amplify their signature pop punk palette with stadium-size hooks and airtight alternative songcraft. ). They committed literally everything to the new album-holing up in producer Phil Gornell’s (Bring Me The Horizon, All Time Low) Sheffield studio for months at a time, sleeping on the floor, and engaging in marathon writing sessions for 15 hours straight. That dedication illuminates Red Lights. Combining massive melodies and punk spirit, Milestones made a big splash with 2016’s Equal Measures EP. Beyond earning acclaim from the likes of Rock Sound, New Noise Magazine, and more, with the single Call Me Disaster, Milestones spent 2016 touring alongside everyone from Mayday Parade to Hawthorne Heights to Simple Plan. Along the way, they quietly assembled what would become Red Lights and confidently kick off what promises to be their biggest, best, and brightest chapter yet. Check out Paranoid from Red Lights below!

We managed to catch up with Milestone’s vocalist Matt Clarke as he talked about the latest album and more!

How has the release of Red Lights gone down with fans so far?

Incredible! We’ve been so surprised that nobody has really turned away, it seems the people who are hearing it are really really enjoying it so we’re pumped. That’s all we can really ask!

What is your favourite track from the release?

Hmmm, I’d say “Against The World” probably. I really like how honest that song is!

Can you tell us something about the album no one else knows?

Love this question! Ermmmm, we originally wanted to call it “These Are The Scars That I Made Into Art” but decided it was too long… hahaha!



If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?

It’s got to be The Beatles hahahaha! Mark is from Liverpool so I just think it would be incredibly funny to watch him lose his mind!

What’s the alternative scene like in Manchester at the moment?

Honestly, it’s not really existent unfortunately. We’ve actually always done better in Liverpool surprisingly but the UK generally I feel needs to have a huge push for small/local bands!

What do you thank bands have to do to keep smaller venues alive and kicking in the UK?

I think everyone just really needs to start actively looking for small bands. Things like Warped Tour don’t exist in the UK and people only go to shows if they KNOW the bands, and even then they often just turn up later. It’s sad, maybe it’s because it’s so damn cold. Turn the heat up!

How helpful have the guys at Fearless Records been to make you the band you are today?

I really love that the guys at Fearless listen to their bands and really support them with the direction the bands wants. We absolutely love the people in our team over there and it’s a real shame we don’t live in the US, we want to hang so much more! :’(

What was the first gig you ever attended?

You Me At Six – 2012! So GOOD!