Art of Dying Teaches the Art of Living

“Life does not pause for holidays.” -Jonny Hetherington, Art of Dying

After just coming out of major surgery, I’m lying in my hospital bed with 26 metal staples halfway up my back and my guts are being held together by another dozen. I remember the words once sung by Art of Dying’s Jonny Hetherington (“If I can get through this, I can get through anything”) and it opens up so many gateways of hope in my mind that I begin to feel no pain. And that’s how Art of Dying saved my life.

Fast-forward two years later and I am fully recovered from that ordeal; however, that song has stuck around and has become a fixture in my toolbox of life (kinda like my other comforts: Coke and chips, Lindt chocolate and sleeping in till noon on Sundays).

I recently had the chance to speak with Hetherington and he told me he loves how music speaks to people in completely different ways – how when words he has written actually connect with someone’s life and make a difference to them, he feels complete as a musician. Well, he certainly makes it possible for me to get through life’s speed bumps. Here’s our conversation!

YT: “Car Crash” and “Get Through This” are two of my favourite songs. What are they about? How are those songs significant to you?
JH: “Car Crash” is based on the idea of your life flashing before your eyes in the last few minutes before your death. I’m not sure why I’m so fixated on this situation, but it seems that so much of your life comes down to that moment. Who do you love, who did you hurt, did you do enough, do the people you love know it... did you say it enough? I guess I’d like the people I love to know it now, but just like everyone else, I get caught up in the bullsh** of everyday life and don’t say it/show it enough.

“Get Through This” is me dealing with the moment my dad was diagnosed with cancer. It just came out that way. Happily, my dad’s cancer is now in remission, so the song transformed from a nightmare into a celebration for me.

YT: What do you love about music?
JH: Freedom and connection. I have never felt more free than losing myself in the creative process of words, melody and music. By myself in a dark room, half cut in a jam space with the guys or wailing in front of 5000 people... it’s pure freedom to me.

YT: If you had one thing to say to all the people who didn’t have faith in you and said you wouldn’t make it as a artist, what would that be?
JH: I’ve been blessed to have a lot of support in my choices from my family and friends. It’s actually the opposite... sometimes the smallest comment from someone can make the biggest difference. I remember being at a party a few years ago and speaking with a person I had just met. She had heard one of my songs and we made the connection that I was in AOD... She said simply, “Never stop what you’re doing.” Those words meant so much to me at that moment... I doubt she even remembers, but it was perfect timing for me to hear. So, I’d rather say thank you to everyone who ever believed in or encouraged me... that’s the important stuff.

YT: Who came up with the name of band? What does it mean? Why is it significant to the band?
JH: I came up with it during a late night conversation about life. It dawned on me that living your dream is one of the most important things you can do with your time on this planet – that every day is a gift. As a band, we’ve adopted that way of living as our creed... The art of dying is your life to live.

YT: What are your musical influences?
JH: As a singer, I have been deeply affected by bands like Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Soundgarden, STP, Damien Rice and many more. I’m addicted to real people who sing about real things and do it with their entire being.

YT: Describe music in one sentence.
JH: Bread, water and wine.

YT: Whom do you consider a rock legend?
JH: Pearl Jam, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Nirvana, U2.

YT: How do you get pumped for a show?
JH: Equal parts beer, coffee and hacky sack. The guys and I have no trouble firing each other up as we feel pretty lucky to be on tour with bands like Disturbed and Seether. When the lights go out and the crowd goes crazy, it’s pretty hard to not be pumped.

YT: How do you prepare for the studio?
JH: It’s usually a crash course of full band rehearsals and late night lyric writing. I love Cuban cigars, which end up being a pretty damn good writing partner.

YT: If you had a chance to collaborate with someone, who would it be and why?
JH: I’d really like to write with Daniel Lanois. He’s a master. His work with U2 has always hit home with me. I read an article once quoting Daniel saying if he gets one line in a song perfected by the end of a full day of writing, he’s happy. That seems like a massive commitment to the art of trying to express something cohesively. I’d like to learn from someone like that.

YT: How has music helped you grow more as a person?
JH: Music is my life. I think almost all of my personal growth has gone hand in hand with music. It’s hard to remove either one from the equation. I mean that on a creative and business level. Choosing music has forced me to learn a lot about life, see a lot of the world and meet people from all over the place. Each one of those experiences changes my direction and appreciation forever.

YT: Where do you see yourself in two years?
JH: On the road.

Through the music and words of Jonny Hetherington, I feel like I can get through anything I face. He makes great music on the highway of life.