Growing up in the Canadian Prairies in the ’90s, Jonny Hetherington was inspired and elated by the energy and realism of alternative rock bands that mixed equal doses of aggression and melody. However, he didn’t really relate to the dark, negative energy and sometimes pessimistic lyrics of many of his favorite groups. So when he and guitarist Greg Bradley formed their own band, Art of Dying, in 2004, they made a conscious effort to be as sonically dynamic as their influences, but approach their songs with a greater sense of optimism.
“Most of our songs speak of hope and perseverance,” says Hetherington. “There’s an element of honesty and strength in our music that really comes through.”
On the surface, the name “Art of Dying” might seem to contradict that ethos, but Hetherington says the phrase describes the band’s life philosophy. “From the moment you’re born, you’re on an eventual path to death,” he explains. “We all embrace life and enjoy it and make the most of every minute. Our art of dying is living and doing it with as much enthusiasm as possible. That’s sort of our code.”