After making a comeback with their self-released 2017 album Wolves and playing festivals, touring here and there, Story of the Year are back with a scorching and melodic new single, “Real Life.” The song comes on the heels of their signing with SharpTone Records, and highlights everything that fans of Story of the Year have grown to love over their career: powerful vocals, instrumentals that draw you in, and a story that resonates with the listener.

“’Real Life’ is the sound of four lifelong friends re-lighting the torch and deciding they want to be a full time band again,” says guitarist Ryan Phillips.

He continues, “‘Real Life’ is one of those special songs that just kind of happened. We didn’t sit around for months consciously trying to write a song like this. It just kind of came out. The songs that fight you the whole way are always duds. It’s the ones that come from out of nowhere and almost write themselves that are the best.”

“’Real Life’ is a return to form for Story Of The Year,” adds vocalist Dan Marsala. “It evokes the same emotion and energy of ‘Page Avenue’ but with a brand new and exciting feel. It’s a song about the constant struggle of making a relationship work. The ups and downs of being in love. Not every day is full of sunshine, but if you fight through the pain together, you can make it out alive with a smile on your face.”

“Real Life” was released alongside a powerful music video that can be watched below.

We very much built this band on DIY punk rock ethos, and we still carry aspects of that mindset with us to this day,” explains Phillips. “We’re shooting all of our videos in our hometown, with a crew of super talented creatives all based here in STL. With Jordan Phoenix at the helm as director, we freely shoot ideas around and then the team brings them to fruition. It’s beautiful. 

The “his” and “hers” bloody knives (and in turn the blood couple) represent 2 people who deeply hurt each other, but can’t live without each other. “You and I, are suicide” is a metaphor for crazy love: doomed, but beautiful and authentic. With the knives and blood the goal to create a visually arresting metaphor for two people in love, but who are deeply hurting each other. It’s psycho love, but it’s the real deal.”

Between festival appearances, Story Of The Year will be headlining a number of shows throughout the United States featuring special guests Hawthorne Heights and Escape The Fate. All upcoming dates can be found below.

Upcoming Tour Dates:.

Sat, Aug 27 – Is For Lovers Festival – Wichita, KS*
Sun, Aug 28 – Is For Lovers Festival – Denver, CO*
Tue, Aug 30 – South Side Music Hall – Dallas, TX
Wed, Aug 31 – Rise Rooftop – Houston, TX
Fri, Sep 2 – The Orpheum – Tampa, FL
Sat, Sep 3 – Center Stage Theater – Atlanta, GA
Sun, Sep 4 – Brooklyn Bowl Nashville – Nashville, TN
Mon, Sep 5 – Piere’s – Fort Wayne, IN
Tue, Sep 6 – The Crofoot Ballroom – Pontiac, MI
Wed, Sep 7 – Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY
Fri, Sep 9 – Four Chord Music Festival 2022 – Washington, PA*
Sat, Sep 10 – Ohio Is For Lovers Festival 2022 – Cincinnati, OH*
Sun, Sep 11 – Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2022 – Alton, VA*
Fri, Oct 21 – When We Were Young Sideshow – Las Vegas, NV
Sat, Oct 22 – When We Were Young 2022 – Las Vegas, NV*
Sun, Oct 23 – When We Were Young 2022 – Las Vegas, NV*
Fri, Oct 28 – Backstage Bar & Billiards – Las Vegas, NV
Sat, Oct 29 – When We Were Young 2022 – Las Vegas, NV*
*Festival Appearance