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Marianas Trench  

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Multi-Double Platinum-selling pop band, Marianas Trench, released their new album PHANTOMS. The PHANTOMS album serves as a self-contained universe for the band’s songs to exist in –

a house possessed by the spirit of lingering loss and inhabited by someone who’s being driven into madness by the ghost of a former love. Like past records, PHANTOMS finds the Vancouver-based four-piece pushing their musical boundaries relentlessly. From the jaw-dropping a cappella opener, Eleonora to its unapologetically epic closer, The Killing Kind, PHANTOMS sheer emotional weight and brutal honesty will leave a lasting mark on listeners. The first single I Knew You When was released in the Fall of 2018 and charted for 6 months at Hot AC and CHR radio. It reached the Top 10 at Hot AC radio.

In early May of this year, the most recent music video, Only the Lonely Survive was released. The video involved submissions from the bands fan base, known as the Trenchers. Amongst the quarantine restrictions each band member was able to film their parts separately and the video was edited to include pieces of each fans submission. With a slew of Top 10 radio hits to it’s credit such as Who Do You Love, Rhythm of Your Heart, Fallout, and Haven’t Had Enough, Marianas Trench is constantly pushing the boundaries of pop and translating that into their explosive live shows. Last year, the band completed three headlining tours in the USA, Canada, and Europe.

Live reviews

Marianas Trench came and performed in New Zealand for the first time and I was lucky enough to be able to go and be part of their concert that kicked off their tour.

They are practically unheard of in NZ so they were provided with a small venue with minimal fancy lighting/effects/etc AND IT COULDN'T HAVE MATTERED LESS. They were full of energy and got the crowd going and they were excellent in their music too. Josh's vocal were incredible and the harmonies provided by Mike and Matt (lead guitar and bass) were awesome and blended perfectly.

I loved their interactions with the crowd as they were funny and involving, doing things like replying to comments and wearing the ridiculous sunglasses someone handed to them. I had an awesome time and was dancing the entire night and I wasn't the only one. Despite how unknown they were, the small crowd was loud and passionate and I'm sure that it would be even crazier in bigger venues.

I can't decide on a favourite song of the night as they were all fantastic but tracks that really got us jumping were 'Celebrity Status' and 'Desperate Measures' and the songs 'Beside You' and 'So Soon' were gorgeous and heartfelt. The concert had an awesome atmosphere and with the band's talent and energy, it was one of the best I've been to.

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The first time that I saw Mariana's Trench I had actually never heard of them or any of their music before. I had gone to see the band Ghost Town on the Journey's Tour in early 2013, however, while waiting for the signing time to begin Mariana's Trench was preforming since they were the headliner. I was blown away by everything about this band. Their vocalist/rhythm guitarist has absolutely incredible vocals, this guy can wail while still keeping on perfect time with his guitar, and don't even start me on the amazing instrumentals or we'll be here all day. Their stage presence and set were both incredible, when the vocalist, Josh Ramsay, wasn't singing and confined, he was running around he stage and when he told the crowd to do something he was able to get almost the entire packed venue to go along with it. Needless to say, after witnessing their performance I became a huge fan almost instantly and still listen to them like crazy today. If you're looking for a unique band that can be powerful and love very diverse lyrics, then you will absolutely love these guys!

Canadian pop outfit Marianas Trench have been working as a unit since the early 2000s and despite their obscure name sake, they have gained a global cult following for their pop/rock sounds. The original lineup has stood the test of time thus far and this always helps with onstage dynamics and interaction with the fans.

The fans are really passionate about the music and the band themselves, screaming and cheering to deafening levels as the band steps out and applauds the rather unexpected scene. The devotees prove themselves once again by eagerly singing back the choruses in time with lead singer Josh Ramsay. Although this band is considered a pop/rock outfit, you cannot deny the musicians have some great musical abilities and clearly care about the live aspect of the sound when performing. They whip the crowd into a suitable frenzy by the time they are ready to close with 'Fallout' and 'Shake Tramp'. The stage setup may have been minimal but this well considered setlist was more than enough to enthuse the fans tonight.

Went to the show last night (14 Nov) at the Scala in London, it was the first opportunity I had to see them live (I have been listening to them for around about a year and half) since they don't come to the UK very often.

I got a friend of mine that I introduced to their music to come with me and we both had an amazing night! Josh's vocals were unbelievable, hitting some almost impossible high notes with ease.

The crowd were instantly getting involved, singing the lyrics back to a very energetic Josh (lead singer)

and the rest of the band. Although it was a small venue you could feel the passion and love for music both being sung and listened to.

The band as a whole were incredible and clearly really loved what they were doing, Josh's enthusiasm and stage presence and exceptional vocal range reminded of the late, great legend Freddie Mercury. Not a comment I say lightly at all.

All in all it was an amazing experience and I will be the first in line the next time they come back to LONDON!

This was my third time seeing Marianas Trench live and my second time seeing them with floor seats. Opener Shawn Hook was great and did an entertaining intro for them. It was disappointing though that Josh was not feeling well so he couldnt sing most of the songs the way he normally would. He let the audience sing most of the songs for him and Matt Webb as well. They played quite a few songs from their older albums which I was so happy about!:)

Songs: Astoria, Celebrity Status, Desperate Measures, Good To You, Pop 101, Shutup and Kiss Me, One Love, Cross My Heart, Who Do You Love, This Means War, End of An Era, Burning Up, Fallout, Stutter, Havent Had Enough, All to Myself. Not in that order. :)

I have waited for 5 years to see this band in concert. I finally did last night, July 23, and it was by far the best night of my life. I didn't think it was possible to love this band anymore than I already did, but I do. Usually when you listen to such high-low vocally ranged bands, you assume the sound quality and the vocals will be lost when seeing them live; however, Marianas Trench didn't lose a single quality. If at all possible, it sounded as if they improved live. The whole band gave off such a friendly vibe. They didn't act as if they were there for the money, they were there for their love of music and performance; for their fans. Can't wait to see this group again.

It was spectacular, Josh (the main singer) had scar tissue in his throat and was told he was not allowed to sing until new years, he didn't want to cancel another whole tour so I was very very very surprised when he hit every high note perfectly, he even added some more into the songs! All the songs were amazing and he also went into the audience and played the "One Love" on the piano (while he was on the floor). It was amazing, the opening acts were great too! All the guys put on a great show! Josh also added lots of funny things into the concert it was hilarious!

Rating: 10/10, best concert I have ever been too!

I have loved marianas trench since I was born, well basically since I was born, when I was 4 my favorite song was cross my heart! and when I was 8 my mom brought me to a concert. It changed my life. All of these other bands were playing and that was cool, but when the lights turned off and the crowd started to cheer, I knew that it was time, then I saw Josh on the stage, my heart was pounding, and when he started singing I thought I was in heaven!!! I have loved them ever since, I am so grateful for marianas trench, I don't know what I would do without them

The concert was an absolute blast! Marianas Trench was so inclusive with the audience and chill. They played a few new songs from their newest album and a lot of the fan favorites. They would even let the audience pick a song for them to sing. The main singer came out at the end on stage to talk to the audience and would make jokes. He even picked a song to sing with just him and the audience. This concert was my first concert ever and I wouldn't trade it for any other band. It was an awesome experience.

The show was fantastic! All the songs were great, Josh hit every note, it was magical. They put on a great concert and sound every bit as good live as they do on their records. It could only have been made better by more songs :-) Josh was also great with the kids, letting one sing a bit when he was out in the audience, and pointing out a little girl in the balcony that was dancing along to all the music. Such a great guy and band. My regret is that I can't go back again every night to watch them.

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Latest setlist, marianas trench on november 24, 2023.

Casino Rama, Orillia, Ontario

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Marianas trench concert setlists & tour dates, marianas trench at casino rama, orillia, on, canada.

• Rhythm of Your Heart
• Here's to the Zeros
• Desperate Measures
• All to Myself
• Cross My Heart / Celebrity Status
• Shake Tramp
• Who Do You Love
• Only the Lonely Survive
• Haven't Had Enough
• Don't Miss Me?
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Marianas Trench at Bingemans, Kitchener, ON, Canada

• I Knew You When

Marianas Trench at Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Marianas trench at softball city sports & entertainment complex, surrey, bc, canada, marianas trench at cowboys music festival 2023, marianas trench at the colosseum at caesars windsor, windsor, on, canada, marianas trench at the centre at casino new brunswick, moncton, nb, canada, marianas trench at river cree casino, edmonton, ab, canada, marianas trench at 604 records christmas party 2022.

• Cross My Heart

Marianas Trench at The Zoo, Brisbane, Australia

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• All to Myself ( 198 )
• Fallout ( 193 )
• Stutter ( 187 )
• Desperate Measures ( 186 )
• Haven't Had Enough ( 186 )

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a‐ha The Beach Boys Counting Crows Neil Diamond Foo Fighters The Goo Goo Dolls Don Henley Billy Joel Huey Lewis and the News Darlene Love Edwin McCain The Police Josh Ramsay Third Eye Blind

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MARIANAS TRENCH Announce U.S. Headline Tour // New Album “Phantoms” out in 2019

“This is about long term, messy, real life love. Love with consequence. Not about drunken lust, or doing shots in a bar, or ‘living life for just tonight,’ but the kind of real-life relationship that takes a decade to build, through ups and downs. If I’ve learned one thing in my life as a performer it’s this; if you’re going to sing a song every night for the rest of your career, you better mean it – and I do.” –  Josh Ramsay  

Over the last decade,  Marianas Trench  have consistently raised the musical bar both in the studio and via their explosive live shows. They have built their name on relentless touring across Canada and globally, headlining tours in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Since their 2006 debut,  Fix Me ,  Marianas Trench  have had two certified, double platinum-selling records ( Masterpiece Theatre ,  Ever After ) and two certified gold-selling albums with chart topping hits including “Rhythm Of Your Heart,” “Haven’t Had Enough,” and “Who Do You Love.” Along with double platinum and gold digital singles, the band has also garnered multiple SOCAN and MMVA Awards, number 1 videos on MuchMusic, JUNO Award nominations and won the 2013 JUNO Award for Group of the Year. Ramsay also received a GRAMMY nomination in 2013 for co-writing and producing Carly Rae Jepsen’s international breakthrough smash and certified US diamond selling single “Call Me Maybe.”

Stay tuned for more news on Marianas Trench and for additional information or to purchase tickets, please visit  www.marianastrench.net .

To listen to “I Knew You When” –  PRESS HERE

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Marianas Trench – Suspending Gravity Tour The Unlikely Candidates, DJ George Thoms

Marianas Trench

Increasingly people are saying the album, as a format, is dead. With  Phantoms Marianas Trench prove – once again and unequivocally – that the reports of its death are greatly exaggerated.

“I think we’re going to see more artists releasing singles and not really doing albums anymore,” says Marianas Trench’s Josh Ramsay, “but that doesn’t really inspire me.”

What inspires Ramsay is creating a self-contained universe for the band’s songs to exist in. On their fifth album,  Phantoms (604 Records), it’s a space possessed by the spirit of a lingering, unforgettable loss. “I was basically thinking about someone falling into madness while living in a house haunted by the ghost of a former love. As dark as that sounds, for me that also means a rebirth,” Ramsay says. “And that comes from a healthy place.”

“The vibe was really healthy and happy, and the setting opened up a lot of options for what we could get away with creatively,” puts in bassist, Mike Ayley. Not that Marianas Trench has ever shied away extending their creative reach substantially with each new album. From the release of their debut,  Fix Me (2006), to 2015’s  Astoria , the Vancouver-based four-piece have consistently raised the bar for themselves with ever more ambitious records.

Astoria ’s framework was a coming of age story inspired by the sci-fi adventure, The Goonies.  Phantoms  mines a different vein of life experience entirely, one buried in the wreckage of the certainty that the one, incomparable love you’re due in life is lost forever.

The band drills down into the consequences of that loss deeply on lead single ‘I Knew You When’ – a track fuelled by deep bass and relentless beats that showcases Ramsay’s staggering vocal range and the band’s ample musical chops in equal measure. “A lot of love songs look at the pretty things, the easy things,” Ramsay says. “’I Knew You When’ is about having a long history with someone, accepting the faults in each other, acknowledging it’s going to get messy here and there, and still being up for it.”

“I was looking for inspiration in a lot of arenas,” he continues. I read a ton of Edgar Allan Poe and was also inspired by the Netflix series, The Haunting of Hill House, and the idea that ghosts mean different things to different people, and can also represent hope .”

Some songs came straight from titles, Ramsay says, ‘The Death of Me’ for example – an old saying Ramsay uses to examine the consequences the kind of loss that underpins the record can have on new relationships: “When somebody thinks, ‘This is real’ and the other person wishes it was but just can’t feel that, the only decent thing to do is bow out.”

“Once we had the idea everything was set in a haunted house, that immediately suggested a sonic landscape, a rulebook. ” Imposing parameters, he adds, was inspiring rather than limiting: “ I wanted the songs to feel like modern pop, but sound very organic, with real instrumentation. So,  i f it sounded creepy, I’d use it,” he says, pointing to the  hauntingly manic, ‘Echoes Of You’, featuring Jellyfish lead singer, Roger Joseph Manning Jr. “That starts out with a solo harpsichord. But I never would have made that choice without that setting. ”

From harpsichord to Theremin to custom guitar sounds specifically created to mimic keyboards using old school techniques, “tricks” and effects:  “Almost every sound was very deliberately, patiently and consciously chosen,” Ayley puts in.

But the opportunities each new framework, or universe, provide extend well beyond the sonic landscape. On every record, Marianas Trench set out to challenge themselves to a greater degree, individually and collectively. “Each time we do an album, I try and write something that’s out of my vocal reach at the time. Then we tour for two years and it forces me to get better,” Ramsay says, adding that bassist Ayley, guitarist Matt Webb and drummer Ian Casselman, his “three favourite collaborators,” are equally dedicated to pushing their limits vocally and instrumentally.

As they have on past records, Marianas Trench draw on well-established strengths – their trademark, heavily layered harmonies, as well as blazing guitars set against club-worthy beats – but Phantoms also finds them pushing the boundaries, musically and lyrically, in a way that’s difficult to define. “Even for us it’s hard to pin down,” Ayley says. “There are signature Marianas Trench moments, but the feel is definitely different.”

Ramsay and the band, like so many of the artists that influence them, are defined, in part, by their total lack of predictability, constant reinvention and reevaluation. “To stay inspired I need to be doing something new,” Ramsay explains, “which is why I always have a setting with a new set of rules and, also, a new set of inspirations. Each of our albums is sort of a scrapbook of my life at the time. The goal is always to write a set of songs that complement each other. Not just to go chasing hits.”

Granted, multiple tracks on  Phantoms  could easily stand alone as singles; from urgent beat-driven tunes like ‘Only the Lonely Survive’ and ‘Don’t Miss Me?’ to borderline power ballad ‘Glimmer’. And every track on  Phantoms telegraphs the sense of abandonment and loss that focused Ramsay’s songwriting from the outset. But listening to  Phantoms ,   as a whole, is the best way for listeners to find the room that best suits them individually, among the many in the house the band has built. 

“It’s a journey,” Ramsay adds, one that finds Marianas Trench guiding listeners through a extremely personal space, while still allowing them room to wander on their own and  connect with the songs on their own level, with their own stories.

From Phantoms jaw-dropping opener, ‘Eleonora’ – a heavily layered a cappella salute to Edgar Allan Poe’s 1842 short story of the same name – to the unapologetically epic closer, ‘The Killing Kind’, with it’s deep orchestration, ripping guitars and vocal gymnastics,  Phantoms sheer emotional weight and brutal honesty will leave a lasting mark on listeners.

“It’s about messy, real-life love with consequences; the kind of relationship that takes years to build,” Ramsay sums up. And for him, it’s personal. “Fun fact: every love song I’ve ever written is about the same girl.” Although Phantoms draws inspiration from a decidedly personal place, however: “ It’s not like you’re just listening in on someone else’s life. Everybody has that experience. That’s just living. And Phantoms, I think, will allow people to connect on their own level, with their own story, to the ones that we’re sharing.”

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How Marianas Trench Prepare for a Tour: ‘There Is Only So Much Square Footage in a Suitcase!’

Following pop-rock group Marianas Trench 's tour throughout North America in support of their latest album, Phantoms , we only have one question on our mind: What exactly went on behind the scenes?

Before any band hits the road, there are countless things that have to be strategically planned and rehearsed before cramming gear into suitcases and road cases. Basically: Any given live show is not all in a night's work.

Thankfully, Marianas Trench are sharing the secrets behind their long-standing success when it comes to wowing crowds across the globe, something they've been doing since 2001.

So, just how do all four original band members get along in a tour bus after spending almost nineteen years together? Below, ahead of their European tour dates, guitarist Matt Webb talks about how he and the band prepare for a major tour.

Do you have any rituals for when you leave your pets or family for a tour?

I try to cram in a few awesome family days before I leave. This time we hit up the Vancouver aquarium to look at jellyfish, poke squishy aquatic creatures and eat fries. A f----n' dolphin got my fries wet!

Is there a specific way you pack your bags?

Strategically. You need to bring a lot of crap on tour. I own more socks and underwear than any man should own. There is only so much square footage in a suitcase so you really need to think long and hard about the most efficient way to pack. I start visualizing my pack 1-2 weeks before tour, then slowly piece it together.

Weather is the real issue. We’re starting this tour at the end of summer, but it will finish in the fall. What level of jacket insulation do I require? How many shoes can I fit in this suitcase? Will it be overweight at the airport and subject to the $75 oversize baggage fee? Probably. And as I type this, I am sitting in New Jersey as a hurricane passes by. I was not prepared for a hurricane. Either way, there is always Walmart—unless it gets destroyed by a hurricane.

What stays with you in your bunk or lounge at all times?

I have a bus bag with 2-3 days worth of clothing, a gym outfit, running shoes, a warm sweater because the bus is always arctic, 86 different charging cables, stolen hotel towels and slippers. Whatever is on the ground of the bus, I do not trust.

What goes into creating your production?

Thought... and then money.

How do you go about choosing a set list considering there are four different opinions to consider?

It’s brutal. We have such a big catalog now, five albums worth of material. It's a complicated decision. You have to play the singles and audience faves, but we also want to introduce new songs and album tracks that are fun to play. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough time to satisfy everyone, but we certainly do our best.

What essential instruments do you take on the road, and how do you decide which stay back home?

For the last few tours, I’ve been playing exclusively Duesenberg guitars because they are absolutely legendary. They sound beautiful and are built like tanks. The perfect road warriors. I also like to rotate in a few wild cards here and there. I have an original 1963 Gretsch Jet Firebird (same year as Malcolm Young) and a 1972 Fender Telecaster Thinline that absolutely slays. I never leave home without ‘em.

How involved are you with creating or designing your merchandise?

Very involved. Like, we do it all!

What's the first thing you do when you get on the tour bus for the first time?

Stuff my belongings in all the best drawers, jockey for prime suitcase bay position, investigate video game console systems, and then complain about the lack of peanut butter.

What's the first thing on your mind or first thing you do when you arrive in a new city?

Where is the coolest restaurant that is open at whatever time of day it is? Where is the cheesiest tourist spot nearby where I can send a photo of myself to my mom? And where can I get a croissant?

What phone apps do you use to pass the time while traveling?

I try to stay off that damn thing as much as possible.

What's the first thing you do when you get home from a tour, aside from sleeping and laundry?

Touch my naked body to the wall of my shower. You have no idea how incredible it is to not shower in a venue shower. If you want to see dead rodents and get strange rashes from the shower curtain, then road life is definitely for you.

Check out Marianas Trench's European tour dates, below:

November 6 – Newcastle, UK – Riverside

November 7 – Manchester, UK – Club Academy

November 8 – Bath, UK – Komedia Bath

November 10 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Institute2

November 11 – Sheffield, UK – The Leadmill

November 12 – Glasgow, UK – St. Luke’s

November 14 – London, UK – Scala

November 15 – Brighton, UK – Chalk

November 18 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg OZ

November 19 – Hamburg, Germany – Uebel & Gefährlich

November 20 – Frankfurt Am Main, Germany – Zoom

November 22 – Munich, Germany – Feierwerk / Hansa 39

November 23 – Cologne, Germany – Luxor

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Building New Worlds: Marianas Trench on Their Immersive 5th Album ‘Phantoms’

Marianas Trench explore the dark side of love in their fifth album ‘Phantoms’, an intensely crafted start-to-finish listening experience with enough tumult and complexity to overwhelm the senses in the best way possible.

A day off from tour left Marianas Trench stranded in New Orleans. It was a morbid experience of soaking up the strange energy emanating throughout the state. The presence of voodoo permeated the air, having been brought there in the early 1770s and commemorated ever since. The atmosphere of death and black magic evoked inspiration from the members of the Canadian pop/rock band and infused in them a fascination for the idea of love and death combined. The product is their fifth studio album Phantoms , released March 1 via 604 Records.

“It’s like death, but it’s also a celebration of life,” says bassist and vocalist Mike Ayley. “It has this creepy feel, but it’s actually hopeful and inspiring.”

Phantoms  revolves around the loss of a lover and the ways in which memories can embody their ghost.

This haunting can transpire through different mediums — “Missing the person or hoping they’re still there… lingering in your mind and not being able to shake off the past,” says Ayley, only giving a couple of examples off of a long list of perspectives and scenarios. For about a year, Marianas Trench took a multitude of steps to conceive this theme and develop it to the point of creating a dimension for their music to float in and their fans to temporarily reside in. At the heart of this world is Edgar Allan Poe, whose horror is not the typical supernatural gimmick, but a “[dark] languid sort of sanity and realm and reality,” described by Ayley.

Horror is much more effective in the context of real life — it is more tangible, more believable, and much closer to home.

It can even come across as relatable at some points, like in “Your Ghost,” which flows perfectly with the theme of the album, but can also fit into mundane life through other interpretations. “ It’s like every time you vanish somehow you’re still here, you never seem to manage just to disappear ,” sings lead vocalist Josh Ramsay. For the band, the song is actually about a lover lost to death, but it also could sound like a past lover lost through a simple breakup. People can feel like ghosts, and complicated romance can feel supernatural:  Phantoms is able to vivify these tragic sensations that often feel as harsh and heartbreaking as death.

Because Marianas Trench were confining themselves to this specific theme, it narrowed down certain possibilities, but aided them in inspiration and even opened up unlikely opportunities. “Creatively, we had given ourselves permission to do different things with the genre we had chosen for the album,” says Ayley, who points out that Phantoms  includes a harpsichord — an instrument they’ve never used before — and a capella — a type of singing the band have been doing since their beginning, but had never utilized in this way before the album. “When you have a theme, it gives you some direction,” he says, and not only in terms of music, but also with visuals, concerts, and lyricism. Their upcoming Suspending Gravity tour will have a haunted house ambiance reverberating through it, a kind of enhanced experience for the album in which it becomes literally all-encompassing.

We had given ourselves permission to do different things with the genre we had chosen for the album.

Phantoms commences with the one minute introduction “Eleonora,” the start of the accumulation of anticipation and intensity. “The whole album is designed to have a slow-building tension to this long climax,” says Ayley. The final track, “The Killing Kind,” approaches seven minutes, and carries enough chaos as a stand-alone song. “[‘The Killing Kind’] within itself does that — starts small and gets bigger and bigger until there’s this ultimate pay-off, so it’s a pay-off within the song and within the album.”

The journey is dual — existing within the album as a whole, but also within each track. With every song, we are traversing the terrain of a few minutes or so, but also advancing in the overall terrain of the entire forty minute experience. Phantoms comes together as an intensely crafted world, its physical and emotional aspects piecing together a full puzzle, holding enough tumult and complexity to overwhelm in a way that feels completely real.

After the year-long process of building Phantoms , the band is more than satisfied with the result. They experience a variety of sensations when immersing themselves in it, including goosebumps for Ayley throughout the album, and especially near the closing. “I think it might be our best album actually,” says Ayley, its strong points being the start-to-finish listening experience and the musical growth in their overall discography.

You can either take his word for it, or you can enter the world of Phantoms and decide from there.

:: stream/purchase Phantoms  here ::

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Discover new music on atwood magazine, an album by marianas trench, suspending gravity, :: marianas trench 2019 tour ::, may 1 – philadelphia, pa @ living arts may 3 – new york, ny @ irving plaza may 4 – boston, ma @ house of blues may 5 – silver spring, md @ fillmore may 7 – charlotte, nc @ underground may 8 – nashville, tn @ the cowan may 10 – charleston, sc @ the music farm may 11 – orlando, fl @ house of blues may 12 – atlanta, ga @ masquerade may 14 – pittsburgh, pa @ mr. smalls theatre may 15 – columbus, oh @ newport music hall may 19 – cleveland, oh @ house of blues may 21 – grand rapids, mi @ intersection may 22 – indianapolis, in @ egyptian room may 24 – chicago, il @ house of blues may 25 – minneapolis, mn @ varsity theater may 26 – omaha, ne @ slowdown may 28 – denver, co @ summit music hall may 29 – salt lake city, ut @ depot may 31 – portland, or @ wonder ballroom june 1 – seattle, wa @ el corazon june 3 – san francisco, ca @ fillmore june 4 – los angeles, ca@ the regent theater june 5 – anaheim, ca @ house of blues, tix & more info @ marianastrench.net.

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Marianas Trench’s Josh Ramsay Talks New Music, His ‘Biggest Fear’ & More

“Everyone listens to music on Spotify shuffle now, so I think people are more open to listening to different genres these days than like, ‘I only listen to this one thing.’”

(Pic by Karolina Turek)

Marianas Trench are one of the world’s most innovative and creative music acts. The band was formed in 1999 by lead vocalist and songwriter, Josh Ramsay as Ramsay Fiction, before reforming as Marianas Trench – named after the deepest, coldest, darkest spot in the ocean – when guitarist Matt Webb, drummer Ian Casselman and bassist Mike Ayley completed its current line-up.

Their creative genius dates back to their 2002 self-titled EP, which was later re-released with   four additional songs as their 2006 debut album, Fix Me .  The album generally received positive reviews and earned them a nomination for ‘Best New Group’ at the 2008 Canadian Radio Music Awards.

2009’s Masterpiece Theatre followed, debuting at #4 on the Canadian Albums Chart. The album contains more theatrical elements and accents of piano, strings, and harmonies, while still retaining the punk rock influence of its predecessor.

Ever After , released in 2011, is a concept album. In addition to the fact that there is no pause between the tracks, Ever After also has a storyline told through the songs as well as its booklet. The story tells of a fictionalised Josh Ramsay and his adventures in the fantasy kingdom of Toyland.

Similar to their previous two albums, 2015’s Astoria is also a concept album, with transition tracks bridging the individual songs. The album peaked at #56 on the ARIA Australian Albums chart and is inspired by 1980s fantasy and adventure films, like The Goonies (1985) in particular.

Their last studio album, Phantoms (2019) saw another new style for the band, going for a more haunted and ghostly-like sound as opposed to the more fantastical sound on their previous work.

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The Canadian foursome is currently working on their sixth and most ambitious studio album yet. The theme, frontman Josh Ramsay is keeping close to his chest.

Ramsay says, “I can't give you the theme, but I will say it's a real exercise in storytelling for me. Considering what the theme is, I think it's going to be the most narrative album we've done, like more narrative than Ever After was. I'm hoping to have a very cohesive storytelling adventure.”

He adds, “There's definitely going to be some character work to it. Once you hear what the theme is, there has to be, but the songs are always going to still be personal to me. What I'm trying to do with this one, this is the first time I'm making sure that every song sort of has a double meaning, because there'll be what it means to me personally and then what it could mean to the story that we're telling. So, all the lyrics, like, can be interpreted sort of two ways.”

At the time of the interview, Marianas Trench have completed one full song and Ramsay is currently working on another five – including the album’s complex opening number.

“I have started working on the opening number, which is usually like a big number. I'm pretty early in the whole album process to already be working on the opening number, but I was just ready.”

You’d be mistaken to believe that Ramsay makes all the decisions for the band. While he is the main songwriter for Marianas Trench, all members are equally involved in the album’s creation.

“It's actually a really important job that those guys do for me. My problem has never been not having enough ideas, if anything, my problem is having too many ideas. So, a lot of times the guys will help keep me focused,” he says. “We also have no ego with each other. So, if I come up with a song idea, that's not very good, they'll be honest.

“While we were working on the Phantoms record, I sent Matt a song and was like, ‘Hey, man, what do you think of this?’ He didn't say anything other than ‘five out of 10’. But I wasn't hurt at all about it. And he was right. I ended up like repurposing that song – it was an up-tempo song that ended up turning into a ballot, so I had been way off,” he laughs.

He admits his debut solo album, The Josh Ramsay Show , which he created throughout the COVID19 pandemic, has helped guide the band’s forthcoming release in unexpected ways.

“Normally, when we get off the Marianas Trench touring cycle, and we start to work on a new album, I'm super out of shape, creatively speaking, because I haven't been writing songs. I've just been touring songs, and it's, like, a different part of my brain. So, usually on an album, the first couple of songs come really slowly and I'm searching for inspiration and themes.

“In this case, I had finished doing this whole giant solo album thing and just went right into working on the Marianas Trench record. So, rather than feel out of shape – and I don't mean this to sound arrogant – from a musical perspective, I feel like the most in shape I've ever been in my life right now. I'm really focused in on what I want to do and where we want to go with it. The guys are all on board with the idea. I feel like I didn't have to shake off any dust, you know, I'm just like, still going.

“One big takeaway for me from doing a record like that, where, you know, every song was a different genre, more or less, I think that sort of carefree spirit of like, ‘Who gives a fuck what genre this is, let's just focus on good songs,’ there’s a bit of a spirit that I want to bring back to the new Marianas record. Like not really caring so much about radio formats anymore.

“I think if you only write songs for other people's expectations, you're probably never going to please them anyway. Honestly, I just follow my instincts and trust the instincts of the people around me. And so far, that has yielded good results. I think we're very fortunate that, after this many years into our career, that this many people are listening to us now. I feel incredibly grateful.”

The 18-track album, released in April 2022, saw Ramsay team with other Canadian artists like Dallas Smith, Chad Kroeger, DJ Sharkpocalypse, Fefe Dobson, Fionn and more from across the musical spectrum. The album is a love letter to music as a whole, never sticking to the same genre twice – covering grunge, soul, country, jazz, hard rock, EDM, swing, cinematic instrumentals and more.

“The biggest challenge was figuring out what the order the songs should go in. Because it's like, it's here, it's there, it's everywhere. So, how each song would flow, that was quite a big challenge.”

He continues, “There's always so much learning when you're writing an album. And, I think, on the solo record, there was even more so for me because that was working in a lot of genres that I hadn't worked in before that required more preparation and investigation into different genres and production tricks. Those are all things I can bring back to Marianas Trench now.”

Two artists who Ramsay approached for his debut album were Sting and Bryan Adams. Both were unavailable due to working on their own solo albums at the time, so Ramsay ended up singing the song he first envisioned as a duet with Sting alone and repurposed the Adams song, Can’t Give It Up , as a collaboration with singer and actor Tyler Shaw.

“Hearing Tyler's voice on that song was a lovely surprise, because I'd always been picturing a different voice. Hearing his amazing rendition and a totally different singer’s interpretation was very exciting,” Ramsay concedes. “I had written another song to send to Tyler, which I didn't think was good enough, so I hadn't sent one to him. Last minute I was like, ‘Hey, Tyler, you want to check this one out? Like I wrote this other song that I wasn't happy with, but I, you know, never sent it to you, but I would love for us to work together. Would you be interested in doing this?’”

Ramsay toured the album across Canada in May and June with special guests Shaw and DJ George Thoms. He says more solo dates are planned, including possible shows in Australia.

“I can't say for sure,” he admits. “But yes, there are talks about that.”

Ramsay has previously worked with artists like 5 Seconds Of Summer, Simple Plan, Emily Osment, Nickelback, Faber Drive, Danny Fernandes, Belly and Carly Rae Jepsen as either a producer or songwriter. He also co-wrote Jepsen’s worldwide smash hit, Call Me Maybe , which earned him a prestigious ‘Song of the Year’ Grammy nomination in 2013.

A regular staple in Mariana Trench’s songs are the hidden references to other albums, songs, popular culture, and general ‘trencher’-related fandom. Ramsay says there will be references to The Josh Ramsay Show in the new Marianas Trench record.

He says, “I really like the idea that at the end of my career, I want all of the albums to tie together at least a little bit. My biggest fear in life is one day, what if there's no ideas? That's actually for real my biggest fear! It hasn't happened yet, knock on wood.”

Prior to their recent run of shows in Australia this month, Marianas Trench last toured Australia in 2014 with their That’s Not A Knife Tour taking them to Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and two shows in Melbourne. It was their second only Australian tour following 2012’s Face The Music  headline   tour in Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney.

Ramsay says, “Whenever we go to a country for the first time, it's always very exciting. We've only ever been officially marketed in one country, which is Canada, and yet somehow, when we go to other countries people just seem to show up, which we're very grateful for. The first time we came to Australia, it was really just a test to see if people would come or wouldn't come. They did, thankfully, and we've done our best to be able to come back ever since.”

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You can take a submarine ride in a 'cocoon of titanium' to the deepest point on Earth

Looking for a way to get away? Look down. Deep, deep, deep down — all the way to Challenger Deep.

Come mid-May, EYOS Expeditions will launch submarine expeditions to Challenger Deep, a location in the Mariana Trench that, at 38,583 feet, holds the title of the lowest point on Earth. The trip will take up to 14 hours — over four hours to descend; four on the seafloor where divers can explore and film from the comfort of the submarine; and another four to get back up to the surface.

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The ship, known as the Limiting Factor, has two seats, three view ports and high-definition "surround" cameras. It's also equipped with 10 sets of LED lighting arrays so you can light up the terrain, Rob McCallum, Expedition Leader at EYOS Expeditions, told The Points Guy.

Limiting Factor has been pressure-tested in a chamber and has already done five practice dives to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. In fact, it's the only vehicle ever constructed that's capable of multiple dives to full ocean depth. In the submarine, you're completely protected by the 3.5-inch titanium sphere. You won't experience any pressure changes or physiological stresses at all.

"It's extremely relaxing, in the sense that you're in this cocoon of titanium. It's silent and there's no perception of movement. So it's very calming and soothing ," McCallum said.

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The surrounding environment is pitch black after about 500 feet, but because of the LED lighting arrays, you'll be able to see what's around you — including fish, up to around 26,000 feet, and then hadal-zone creatures after that. Hadal creatures, such as flea-like amphipods, have never known daylight and thrive at the bottom of the ocean.

As McCallum explains it, divers "will feel this passion and expertise flying through the ship," because they'll be accompanied by a really passionate team of sonar operators, scientists, ship crew and more.

The dives cost $750,000 per diver, and there are only three spots on each voyage. The three spots on the maiden voyage sold out very quickly, and the dive is scheduled to continue in May despite the coronavirus outbreak . In fact, divers will be tested for COVID-19 before embarking on the journey, a spokesperson for EYOS Expeditions confirmed.

Challenger Deep is arguably the most exclusive destination on Earth. Only three manned expeditions have ever been made to the bottom — to put that in perspective, more people have been to the moon than the bottom of the ocean. In fact, 4,000 people have been to Mount Everest, 562 have been to space and only seven have made it to Challenger Deep.

Before even reaching the dive site, travelers will spend a day at sea on a yacht (dubbed the Pressure Drop), which departs from Agat, Guam. So, if you want to pay for at least part of this trip with miles, stock up on United miles (or Chase Ultimate Rewards points which transfer to United at a 1:1 ratio).

The fastest way to get there from the continental U.S. will be on United flights departing from Honolulu (HNL), but you can also have an AvGeek experience worthy of this ultra-exclusive trip by booking United's Island Hopper. This bucket-list itinerary connects the tiny Pacific islands of Majuro (MAJ), Kwajalein (KWA, though not every Island Hopper flight stops here), Kosrae (KSA), Pohnpei (PNI) and Chuuk (TKK) with Honolulu.

Related: 12 things to know before flying the United Island Hopper

Subsequent dives are also going on as scheduled and, if you're interested in joining one, you can email EYOS for more information .

When people envision "the final frontier" most think of traveling through space the way the Starship Enterprise did for many years on Star Trek. But there are virtually unexplored frontiers to be had without leaving Earth. The Marianas Trench in the western Pacific Ocean provides one of the most amazing and unique examples.

The trench is about 1,580 miles long with an average width of 43 miles. It is estimated to run almost seven miles deep – placing it as the deepest part of the ocean. This long and lean drop in the Ocean's floor has a water pressure that runs over 1000 times what we experience at sea level.

Only two other people have dared to explore the Trench: U.S. Navy Capt. Don Walsh, and Swiss engineer Jacques Piccard in 1960 (no relation to Jean-Luc). The two were in the trench for about 20 minutes, but unfortunately the sand on the Trench's floor was disturbed by their vehicle so that they were not able to see anything.

Recently, James Cameron, the noted entrepreneur and explorer, became the third person to explore the Trench with a solo dive in his submarine, The Challenger.

Cameron took numerous photographs, showing that the trench itself is a surprisingly intriguing place despite the incredible water pressure levels. According to Cameron, "It was very lunar, a very desolate place, very isolated." He also gathered samples of sediment from the bottom of the trench, providing a source for study for marine biologists and oceanographers. Cameron's exploration was cut short by three hours due to a hydraulic leak, but he did capture much of the experience on 3-D film. He plans to continue to explore the Marianas Trench in the future.

The United States established the Marianas Trench, also called the Marianas Trench, as The Marianas Trench Marine National Monument in January of 2009. This underwater monument includes over 95,000 square miles. It is protected under the Antiquities Act of 1906, the same law that protects our national parks, and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Although ocean exploration receives limited funding, Cameron's visit to the Marianas Trench may stir up more interest and dollars for the area. Talk includes opportunities for educational projects including a visitor center and guided sea tours.

The only life James Cameron saw in the Trench were a number of one-inch sea creatures, but it still provides an amazing new frontier for humanity. And though most of us will never have the opportunity to explore the trench in person, we can better understand the experience thanks to the 3-D movies of James Cameron.