A Light Divided are a group of rag tag musicians who bonded over the common goal of creating the kind of music they wanted to hear without fear of being considered too soft for the hardcore crowd, or too heavy for mainstream radio.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Jaycee- Sings, writes all lyrics and melodies, and loses stuff.

Eric - plays guitar. I also design t-shirts, move equipment, and find Jaycee’s stuff when she’s lost it. 

Adam - plays drums, designer, booking, band business, also locates Jaycee's stuff

James - plays guitar, screams, writes most of the music, doesn't give a damn about Jaycee's stuff

Mike - plays bass… scapegoat

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to A Light Divided? How long has the band been around?

JAYCEE - I met James when they were looking for a new singer for his band called "Graveyard Heart" and I think 3 or so months after playing with them, we left to start A Light Divided and we've been at it for almost 8 years now. 

JAMES - Don't worry, you shouldn't have heard of that Graveyard Heart band. I was also in a band called Marrowtech 

ADAM - I was in a band called Travesty, which is how James and I met years before we started ALD

ERIC - Mike and I were in a band together before A Light Divided called Porno Red. That’s all I have to say about the war in Vietnam. 

MIKE - I was in a few high school bands, nothing serious. Around the age of 18 I was messaged on Myspace(remember that??) to see if I was interested in playing bass for a band called Since Remembered. Foolishly I agreed and got my first real taste of what it was to be in a band and being professional. First real experiences of going on tour, playing in front of larger crowds, and using professional gear. After that I was in a band with Eric called Porno Red. Radio friendly rock band. Gave me a chance to try out and learn a different playing style. That's fizzled out and soon there after both Eric and myself joined ALD. The rest is history. 

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

JAYCEE - Our story really sucks honestly. You'd think after so long we'd come up with something fantastical to tell people but...no. Basically, James thought it sounded cool,  we needed a name, and we didn't hate that one. So we just went with it and I'm proud to say, it's never changed. 

JAMES - It's a boring tale. The name has no real meaning. It was written randomly on a piece of paper of other band name ideas I had. It was chosen because it seemed like a cool idea that could work with several different styles and genres of music, since we were still figuring out what sound we were eventually were going to have it seemed fitting.

ADAM - Despite having figured out the band name we never did really figure out what sound we were going for... we just kind of threw a bunch together.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

JAYCEE - Lyrically, I write the bulk of the songs and the rest is usually a pretty collaborative process. I write a lot about what I'm going through at a particular moment because cliché as it sounds, it's absolutely my therapy.  I write about life and the curveballs it throws at you. I often feel like I don't have a voice or that it just gets lost or ignored in this world, so writing helps keep me at least somewhat sane. I think as time goes on, we might expand on the topics we cover in our music, but I don't know if they'll really change. I think all sorts of people will always be able to relate to things like heartbreak, or frustration, or feeling lost or broken.

JAMES - We all work on most of the songs, but if I had to pick a primary songwriter it would be me for the music and Jaycee for lyrics but I don't want to discredit anyone’s contributions to these songs and album as a whole. as for themes, Jaycee

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

JAYCEE - I have a pretty wide palette of musical tastes. Recently I've been listening to a lot of Memphis May Fire and A Day to Remember, but also a lot of Bayside, Story of the Year, and The Used. But I've also been drawing a lot of influence from artists like Amy Winehouse, Taylor Swift, Eminem, GaGa, Lorde, and Tupac. All these different artists really bring something different to the table and I want to learn from all of them.

JAMES - For me I would have to say Bayside. I really draw inspiration from the simple elegance of there songs. I like songs that are simple and honest. Raw and full of emotion and for me Bayside embodies that like no other band.

MIKE - It isn't so much the bands I listen to but everything in my life at that very moment. If I am pissed off, saddened, or even moved by a event in our local community or the world. 

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

JAYCEE - I've always loved singing, but growing up seeing Gwen Stefani of No doubt and Shirley Manson of Garbage really inspired me as a kid. It was the first time I realized that being in a band was even an option for a girl and that we could kick ass and take names too

JAMES - For me it was the passing of Kurt Cobain. That night exactly, I remember saying to my best friend that we needed to start a band. I got my first guitar that Christmas.

ERIC - Bad Company’s Rock and Roll Fantasy

MIKE - Cliff Burton and Dimebag Darrel(rip). Just their playing style and passion in the music they played. 

ADAM - I got to see Stabbing Westward in the middle of downtown Greensboro, NC for a 4th of July Fest a local rock station had put together when I was like 13 or so. We went around the back of the stage and I got to watch the drummer from behind. That did a lot for me as far as wanting to start a band and take it as far as we could.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

JAYCEE - it's hard for me to really stick to a routine because I love running around and talking to everyone, but when I do, I love listening to music to get me pumped up. I try to warm up a least a little bit, but really, I just get on stage and fucking go for it. 

JAMES - That depends, I should stretch every time but I do forget from time to time. I like to play through some warm up routines that I learned from Jack O’Shea of Bayside when I got to meet him last time they came through on the CULT tour. That was a fantastic night.

ERIC - We go HIGH energy on stage so there is definitely some stretching involved. I also like a drink or two to help loosen up. 

MIKE - I try to stretch my neck, back, and legs. Lots of water and a positive attitude.

ADAM - I'm usually running around making sure any last minute details are taken care of, but I do try to stretch my wrists, arms, legs, back, and neck when I have time.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

JAYCEE - We've already done so much that I'm proud of, but I think the highlight of this band's career so far is right around the corner when we drop this album. The response we've gotten leading up to all of this has been more than I ever could have asked for or expected...I think we've got a hell of a ride on our hands and I'm so ready for it.

ADAM - I agree with Jaycee. I think we've been building up to releasing this album for so long that even though it hasn't happened yet, it's a pretty big highlight. Other than that, touring independently has been one of the things I'm most proud of. We've always found a way to do things ourselves when no one was willing to help us, I'm proud of that.

JAMES – That’s hard to say, there have been so many great moments. For me personally it was in Galax, VA at just a normal show, but this night was the first night that a group of kids came up to me and told me that our music inspires them and they wanted to talk about every song and the inspirations for them and they wanted to know about the members of the band. That’s the first time I felt that I had a real connection with the fans and I love every chance I get to talk to fans (friends) and let them know I appreciate the support.

ERIC - I think it would be the response we’ve gotten from MIRRORS so far. It’s been mind blowing.

MIKE - Going on tour. Showing everyone that we are willing to give up everything we have just for our dream. 

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

JAYCEE - There are so many bands on my wish list it's hard to choose just one, so I'd say my dream is to tour with anyone who believes in us enough to take us on the road with them and put us in front of their fans. No matter who it is, that'd be pretty freakin’ sweet. 

JAMES - Damn that’s a difficult question because I know I will think of another band in a few hours and regret not including them, but here are a few I would love to share the road with: Queen, The Beatles, Bayside, A Day To Remember, The Used, Nirvana. The reasoning for all these bands is simply that I love them all.

ERIC - ADTR, Killswitch Engage, Paramore, The Used, Bayside… I could go for days on this one. Because I love their music and I think we would pair well with it. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

JAYCEE - Always remember to support your local music scene :)