(EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW) SEVEN BLOOD: “There is no reason to waste time with situations that are simply not comfortable for you.”
There’s nothing better than listening to a new song that perfectly understands your situations be it or past or present. The experiences many of us have lived through, and needing to hear the exact words we needed to hear to help relieve our worries, clear our heads, and feel understood. Seven Blood’s latest single, “Not Your Misery”, is the antidote to those who need to reclaim their strength and put themselves first. As main vocalist Azaria explains, “The song captures the moment between drawing a line between empathy and self-destruction, choosing to protect my peace instead of being pulled into someone else's downward spiral.” It's a poignant, and difficult thing to grapple with, and one that can even bring guilt but the band has channelled it beautifully in their upcoming release.
Their brand new album, Life is Just a Phase, arrives on Friday, 21st November, and for a debut EP, it certainly will resonate with their fans and draw in new listeners. Vulnerability will always be a musician's superpower. One that should be celebrated and it’s something that members Azaria, Oli, Anfy, and Josi have done with their debut. We spoke to Azaria about the emotions that brought the album to life, the group's songwriting process, their first meeting, and his meaningful life lessons and advice along the way.
SpinVybe: Your new single, “Not Your Misery”, delivers such a powerful message of self-preservation and reclaimed strength. What personal experience or turning point inspired this track?
Oli: Thanks a lot. That’s truly great to hear. “Not Your Misery" is a declaration of self-preservation and reclaimed power. The song captures the moment I finally drew a line between empathy and self-destruction, choosing to protect my peace instead of being pulled into someone else’s downward spiral. At its heart lies a painful realisation: “The way you hurt yourself almost killed me.” It’s about recognising that another person’s misery can become a weapon—one that keeps you trapped in a cycle of guilt and caretaking. "Not Your Misery" marks my decision to step out of that role, to stop shrinking myself for someone else’s chaos, and to choose freedom, clarity, and self-respect over a toxic connection.
SpinVybe: How do you find the balance of the emotions being put into a song, both personally and musically?
Oli: Our songwriting sessions are like a small group therapy. Anfy, Oli, and I sit together, sometimes talking for hours before writing the first word. We really want to dive deep into the topics that form the basis of our lyrics. We try to be as honest as possible; we think that’s the best way people can relate to these words and find their own stories here.
SpinVybe: With your debut album Life Is Just a Phase arriving on 21st November, the lyrics of “Not Your Misery” explore the idea of breaking free from someone else’s chaos. Did writing this song feel like closure or the start of a new chapter?
Oli: I think this particular track felt more like a closure. We reflected on different things that happened to all of us in the past. All these things are over, but we still couldn’t believe how long it took all of us to overcome these individual situations. So we came to these lines, and they really felt like true victory.
SpinVybe: "Not Your Misery" touches on the idea that another person’s misery marks your decision to “stop shrinking yourself for someone else’s chaos and to choose freedom, clarity, and self-respect over toxic connection” and can become a weapon, trapping you in cycles of guilt and caretaking. Was it difficult to confront and write about?
Oli: It’s really difficult to talk about the mistakes you made, the ones that most likely led you into that situation. But as soon as you get past that, it’s incredibly rewarding to reach that kind of self-reflection. In the best case, it helps you to avoid making that mistake again.
SpinVybe: I love the message of that track. What advice do you have for people listening who are trying to break from those types of people?
Oli: I always say, try to be honest with yourself and listen to your own needs. There is no reason to waste time with situations that are simply not comfortable for you.
SpinVybe: The track is incredibly empowering. What was the emotional atmosphere like in the studio while recording it?
Oli: When we discussed the song, we definitely wanted to embed the empowered perspective where the protagonist grows from these situations. That’s how we felt about it—we grew from these moments, and I think everyone can.
SpinVybe: How did each member help shape the emotional intensity of “Not Your Misery”?
Oli: Since we all speak together as a group before writing the lyrics, everyone has an impact on the final emotional depth of the song.
SpinVybe: What makes this album the perfect representation of who you are right now as a band?
Oli: I think this band, along with all the songs and lyrics, came together in a very natural way right from the beginning. Anfy, Oli, and I met in 2023 for the first time to try making music and writing a song. That session quickly became a super intense three-hour writing session where we ended up with our first ever written song (“Killing from the inside”). I mean, when you meet for the first time, it’s really like a blind date.
You are very vulnerable when writing songs and talking about these sensitive things. We were all so happy with what we ignited. After that, we tried many things. Some worked, and some didn't. We really spent a lot of time perfecting our live show and these songs. In the end, we truly feel this album is 100% us right now.
Photo Credit:anthony_molina
SpinVybe: What do you hope listeners take away emotionally from these songs?
Oli: For me, it only matters if they can relate in some way. As long as people see their own story reflected in our songs, I’m very happy.
SpinVybe: Growing up, was there anything specific that helped shape your creative drive and approach to telling songs layered with emotion?
Oli: I think everything we experienced in life finds its way into our music. All four of us grew up in different regions in Germany, so we get to combine those different backgrounds, which is really fun.
SpinVybe: Having played your first concert only in 2024 supporting Underoath, you then went on to tour Europe with Future Palace and Ankor. That is a great way to start a debut year; you must have learnt a lot of valuable lessons. What was the most important one to you all?
Oli: Absolutely! It all started with that Underoath show. Honestly, we weren't ready to play a show; we didn’t even have enough material for a full set. But it was clear to us that this was a great chance, and we had to roll up our sleeves and make it happen. This entire last year, with two European tours and more festival and support shows, was a great gift. We always tried to take on the challenge and, more importantly, to evolve. Being on the road with fantastic people like Ankor, Future Palace, Conquer Divide, Underoath, and Holy Wars really helped us a lot. They all treated us well, and we were able to watch and learn.
SpinVybe: The following summer saw festival appearances including Summer Breeze and Nexus Festival, plus tours with Kittie and Holy Wars. How did those experiences shape your confidence as a live band?
Oli: This was the perfect addition to the European tour we played before. Especially playing festivals is just great. We played Summer Breeze at a midnight slot, and it was an unforgettable show. It definitely solidified our confidence, showing us we belong on those big stages.
SpinVybe: Your music blends the heaviness of Bring Me The Horizon, Architects, and Paramore, to name a few. How do you manage to balance aggression and vulnerability in your sound?
Oli: We all like very different kinds of music and are pretty open-minded about genres. So for us, it felt really natural combining heavy riffing and breakdowns with moody or pop-music-like choruses. For us, that’s an amazing playground where we can try so many things. No one knows what genres and styles will come next in the near future, too!
SpinVybe: You’ve often stated that your mission is to connect with fans through honesty, respect, and shared understanding. How do you keep that sense of authenticity alive as your audience grows?
Oli: So far, there has been no conflict for us here. We’re still at the merch table after every single show and listening to the people. Hearing their personal stories reflected in our songs is truly great because it’s awesome to connect with people from all over the world via our music and lyrics.
SpinVybe: For listeners who are struggling or healing, what message would you want “Not Your Misery” and the album as a whole to leave them with?
Oli: This entire album is about healing in so many aspects. We really hope that people can hear that they are not alone. We all have some mental struggles going on—some worse than others. But sharing this awareness around this topic can hopefully help people.
SpinVybe: When not creating such relatable songs, what do you love to do in your downtime? What does rest look like to you all?
Oli: We all maintain flexible jobs that allow us the freedom to prioritise touring and spending long periods in the studio. Rest for us often looks like escaping the cities and just trying to find some simple downtime, perhaps hiking or just being home with friends and family.
SpinVybe: Finally, what does 2026 have in store for the band?
Oli: Following our album release in November, we will fully focus on our very first co-headline tour. Together with Lastelle from the UK, we will be on tour in January and play cities like Berlin, Cologne, Tilburg, Paris, and London. Beyond that, we already have confirmed summer festivals and more touring in the making for 2026.
This album release is just the start for us, and we are planning to start writing new material again soon.
Written and Interviewed by Kirsty Bright
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