Interview: Cheers For Nothing
Cheers For Nothing
With their debut EP, New Highs, Same Lows, set for release on 10 January, Bay Area pop-punk/emo outfit Cheers For Nothing are ready to make their mark. Following the success of singles “Kings and Queens” and “All Season,” the band blends raw vulnerability with punchy, hook-driven anthems, capturing the highs and lows of navigating adulthood. Their sound, equal parts nostalgic and refreshingly modern, pays homage to early 2010s emo while carving out a space entirely their own.
In our Q&A, the band dives into the emotional weight behind tracks like “All Season,” the balancing act of chasing their musical dreams alongside day jobs, and the unshakable DIY spirit that fuels their journey. From late-night recording sessions to deeply introspective songwriting, Cheers For Nothing share the stories and struggles that shaped New Highs, Same Lows.
What inspired "All Season", and how does it fit into the broader narrative of New Highs, Same Lows?
“All Season” was written about drifting apart from someone due to hesitation. We tried capturing the regret of not acting sooner and the feeling of losing yourself in the process. Within the broader narrative of New Highs, Same Lows, “All Season” reflects how our struggles shape who we are. The EP explores the contrast between life's ups and downs and emphasizes that the highs are that much more meaningful because of the lows. It’s a reminder that the highs and lows are two sides of the same coin and make life that much more interesting.
The EP title explores duality—new experiences mixed with familiar struggles. Can you share a personal story or moment from the band’s journey that reflects this theme?
The EP’s theme of duality mirrors our band’s journey. After high school, we were faced with deciding between pursuing music or professional careers. Most of us chose the “responsible” path, going to college and starting work. When the pandemic hit, it gave us the chance to reconnect and make music again. Balancing stability with passion isn’t easy, and the odds in the music industry are never in your favor. But we took the risk anyway because it’s what we love.
Your sound blends pop-punk and modern emo in a way that feels fresh yet nostalgic. Who are some of your biggest influences, and how do they shape your music?
Some of our biggest influences include All Time Low, Mayday Parade, Real Friends, and Neck Deep. There was a time when we listened to pop-punk almost religiously, but as our music tastes diverged, we drew inspiration from other genres. While our roots are firmly in pop-punk, we want to carve out our own sound by blending all these influences. It’s too early to typecast ourselves into a single genre; we want our music to grow and evolve naturally.
With "All Season" and "Kings and Queens" already out, how do these singles set the tone for the full EP? Should fans expect more surprises?
Although these two songs represent the tone and message of the EP, the next two songs will not disappoint. One of the upcoming songs would be the pop-punk track on the EP, and the other song is our most experimental track yet.
The Bay Area has such a rich punk history. How has your local music scene influenced the band, and what does it mean to represent the area?
The Story So Far was another big influence, not just for their music but because they showed us it’s possible for a local band to make it. They recorded their early albums at Panda Studios in Fremont, where we grew up. Inspired by them, we recorded our first two singles there, right after high school in 2015. While we initially focused more on building a social media presence online, we realized we missed out on fully connecting with the local scene. Now that we have enough songs to play live, we want to make it a priority to engage with our local scene and represent where we’re from.
The commentary around the EP feels deeply introspective. How do you approach songwriting—does it lean more on personal experience, storytelling, or a mix of both?
It’s definitely a mix of both. Our vocalist writes daily journals to organize his thoughts, which helps with songwriting. By recalling these memories, we can remember specific emotions and write lyrics that are personal yet broad enough to resonate with listeners.
Can you walk us through the process of making the "All Season" music video? Any memorable behind-the-scenes moments from the shoot?
The MV wouldn’t have been possible without our buddy Eddie Shin. We met through mutual friends and bonded over our love for pop-punk. He supported our music early on, and we’ve been rooting for his film career ever since. About two years ago, we decided to collaborate, and since then, he’s helped us create more content for our music. Eddie assembled an amazing film crew, and we filmed everything in a single day due to our tight budget. The most memorable moment came for our vocalist, who recently took over as frontman. He said he had a breakthrough during the shoot. Belting vocals can be tough, but that day it just clicked for him, feeling natural instead of strained. It was a big moment and something we’ll need as we prepare for more shows next year.
The debut EP is a major milestone. What’s been the most challenging part of putting it together, and what are you most proud of?
Putting together this EP was definitely one of the most challenging things we’ve worked on. We’d be lying if we said we didn’t want to give up at times. We all work full-time jobs, so it took about two to three years to finish everything. We only had time to meet up on some weekends, so most of the time, we had to work independently. A lot of effort went into this EP, and although it was a painful process, we'd do it all over again. We got frustrated because we cared. If we didn't love making music, we would have given up a long time ago.
You’ve mentioned being ready to take the world by storm. What’s next for Cheers For Nothing—tour plans, collaborations, or anything else fans can look forward to?
We've been sitting on these four songs on the EP for a while, so we're definitely itching to cook up more songs. We are collaborating with another friend of ours for another single, and we plan on playing local shows in the Bay next year!
For those discovering Cheers For Nothing for the first time through this EP, what’s one thing you want them to take away from your music?
If you're discovering Cheers For Nothing through this EP, we want you to know that while life’s struggles and emotions are universal, the way we navigate them is what makes us unique. We hope our songs help you feel seen and understood. We just want listeners to connect with the honesty and energy we put into what we do.
Finally, what is everyone listening to at the moment?
State Champs' self-titled album just came out! They also recorded at Panda Studios in their previous albums like The Story So Far, so we’ve been keeping up with them for a while now. This album had a really refreshing sound that stayed true to their roots. It reminded us of their older songs but sounds more mature.
New Highs, Same Lows by Cheers For Nothing is out 10 January.
