With “Everyone Dances Outside of Their Bodies” out now, we took some time to hear from Last Relapse. Read below to learn more about Last Relapse, the story behind “Everyone Dances Outside of Their Bodies,” and what’s to come.
Hi! Let’s start with how did the band’s name come about?
Originally, we were called The Last Relapse. Now that we’ve reunited, we dropped the “The” — so it’s simply Last Relapse. People often assume our band name is drug-related, but it’s really about cycles — the repetitive patterns we find ourselves in, and the moment we decide to break free. It represents the final loop of something — the last relapse before change.
What city are you all from, and where are you all based now?
We’re all from Atlanta, Georgia. The rest of the band — Adam, Justin, and Michael — are still based there. I’ve moved around a bit: from Atlanta to Tampa, then Los Angeles for a few years, and eventually back to Tampa, where I am now.
When and how did the band form?
Last Relapse started back in 2006 as my solo project. It became a duo with Austin Blaine for a bit — we were more of an acoustic indie-pop act then. Over time, we naturally grew into a full rock band. Justin joined around 2008 on drums, and later Michael came in on bass, followed by Adam on lead guitar. Adam and I were childhood friends, so it was really full-circle when everything clicked into place. The lineup that went on hiatus years ago is the same one that’s back together now.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
Our sound feels like a movie soundtrack — it moves and shifts based on the feel of each individual song. While rock is our foundation, each song takes its own journey. Some lean psychedelic or ambient, others groove into southern, classic rock, or blues influences. We’re not afraid to explore, but there’s a consistent emotional through-line in everything we do.
Who are some of your group’s main musical influences?
We each have different favorites, but there’s overlap. Circa Survive is a band we all connected over — we used to play them on road trips. Personally, I draw a lot from Manchester Orchestra, Deerhunter, Radiohead, Modest Mouse, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Cage the Elephant, Band of Horses, Dead Confederate, and Bright Eyes.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your band’s music career so far?
Playing Boomsday in Knoxville, Tennessee — performing on a massive riverboat in front of thousands — that was surreal. We also played Heaven at The Masquerade in Atlanta, which was special since we’d seen so many of our favorite bands there growing up. And, releasing our full-length album Machine in 2010 was huge for us — we recorded and mixed it ourselves, so finally putting it out felt like a true milestone.
What would you all say are the greatest lessons that you’ve all learned so far?
Focus on what you can control and stay connected to what made you love music in the first place. Don’t get lost in outside noise or comparison. Just write, record, and share — enjoy the process for what it is.
Now onto “Everyone Dances Outside of Their Bodies.” What inspired this song?
That song came from a psychedelic experience years ago… The trip amplified the realization of how lost in our own heads we can get, and how that can distort the way we see and connect with others. It was about becoming aware of that disconnect and wanting to overcome it.
What is “Everyone Dances Outside of Their Bodies” about?
It’s about duality within oneself — the internal conflict between perception and reality. It explores how our thoughts filter what we see, making it hard to connect authentically with others until we face those inner distortions.
What was the creative process like when making “Everyone Dances Outside of Their Bodies?”
I usually start with lyrics and guitar riffs separately, then find where they intersect best. For “Everyone Dances,” I brought my parts to the band, and everyone built around that. They each brought their own creativity, and that collaborative energy shaped the final sound.
How long did it take to complete “Everyone Dances Outside of Their Bodies?”
We actually wrote it back around 2010 and played it live many times, but never properly released it. It sat on the shelf for years until we mixed and mastered it in 2021. We always thought it would be our comeback single — we were just waiting for the right moment.
How did the music video for “Everyone Dances Outside of Their Bodies” come about? What was the vision for the video?
The concept mirrors the song’s theme — isolation and disconnection. That’s why each band member’s performance was filmed separately instead of together. Visually, I wanted imagery that represented duality, ballrooms, ballet dancers, and abstract sequences that show people trapped in their own worlds.
What message or messages do you all hope fans take away from “Everyone Dances Outside of Their Bodies” and your band’s music in general?
I’ve always liked the listener’s ability to take whatever meaning they want from my songs. Of course, there’s the original message that was intended for each song, but I’ve always been amazed how words and phrases can have double meanings and evolve what they mean to people over time. In regards to “Everyone Dances Outside of Their Bodies,” it was about exploring how our thoughts filter our reality, making it hard to connect authentically with others until we face those inner distortions. Each song carries its own message, but common threads run through — self-awareness, perspective, and consciousness. Ultimately, we just love creating music and sharing it with others and the connection that takes place through that whole process.
What’s next for you all? Are you all working on any upcoming projects, or do you all have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
Our five-song EP drops November 14th on all streaming platforms. We’ll also release the video for “Rats in a Cage” around the same time. After that, we’ll focus on our full-length album and start playing shows again — likely beginning with a Southeast run in early 2026. We’re just taking it step by step, seeing where the journey leads.
Where can we follow you all on social media?
thelastrelapse.com
https://www.tiktok.com/@lastrelapse
https://www.instagram.com/thelastrelapseatl
https://www.facebook.com/lastrelapse
x.com/LastRelapse
https://www.youtube.com/@lastrelapse
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2jTyQRPGIbqTgW9EUixoO0
Thank you for all for the great interview; wish you all much continued success!
