Interview: Detroit Ruin (Written)

Carl Fisher 5 min read

UK anthemic heavy rockers, Detroit Ruin will release their killer new EP, ‘Defiance – Part 1’, on May 30th, 2025, and in this interview we get to know them a bit better.

1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.

So we are Detroit Run from Liverpool, England. Tom Haywood(vox), Gary White(guitar), Nathan Dillon(bass), Wes Cunningham(drums). The band was started in early 2022 by Nathan, Wes and Tom with Gary joining later on to complete the lineup and it has all gone from there.

2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?

We describe ourselves at alternative rock. If you like artists such as Bring Me The Horizon, Architects, A Day to Remember, Bad Omens etc, then you should definitely check us out. We are loud, anthemic and we combine alt rock and electronic synth that we think gives us a signature sound.

3. What’s currently keeping you busy? A new album/EP/single release? A new video? Playing live, or planning ahead?

At the moment there are a few things that are keeping us busy. We have upcoming shows (including a spot on the inaugural UNCHARTED FESTIVAL). We have just released our new single INVINCIBLE along with a music video. There is more to come as well. With a new EP on the horizon.

4. What is about this current period that is particularly exciting for you?

We are really excited to have our new stuff out there for people to listen to. We have put a lot of work and time into the upcoming EP and we can not wait to hear what people think when it is out.

5. Tell me about the work that has gone into making it a reality and what it means to you?

The four of us have always been part of the local music scene in Liverpool. Being part of various bands over the years. We have always put one hundred percent into everything we have ever done and it has been a lot of hard work every time. Especially this time round. We have put absolutely everything into Detroit Run: time, effort, money, sleeping in a van in service station car parks. Yeah there will always be a lot of work when following this dream, but it will always be worth it.

6. Making music and being creative can be a very positive experience and can be very good for the mind. In what way has making music had a positive impact on your mental health?

For the four of us it is definitely something that has always helped. We are mostly always all together when we are writing music. This is one of the biggest things that goes into how it can help us with mental health. When we are all together we are in a good place having fun.

7. It can also be incredibly challenging, more so in the modern times. What have been some challenging aspects of making music and how have you overcome them?

There have been the usual things that a lot of artists would go through, such as writing blocks etc. The biggest challenge that has presented itself to us recently was losing our regular rehearsal space/studio slap bang in the middle of working on the EP. However we always found a way and we were able to complete the EP in full.

8. How do you handle the online aspects of being in a band? Having to put out content constantly, promoting across several different social media platforms, and having your success measured in likes and follows?

We think that between the four of us in the band, we have been able to manage the online aspects quite well. We are always able to keep on top of regular content and promotion across all of our platforms. But yeah, in the modern day it does require a lot of work and attention as a social following can play a huge part in the music industry.

9. How do you make this part of things enjoyable, and fulfilling, for yourself?

All four of us love creating the content for promotions and social media. Sometimes we do have a lot of fun with it, especially if it is outtakes from live streams or behind the scenes content. With that being said, as we all enjoy it, it is easy to have a fulfilling, enjoyable feeling from it.

10. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support you?

All we would say is go listen to our stuff. We feel that we are stamping our mark on the modern alternative music scene, and if you like what you hear, follow along with us on this journey. If you catch us at a show then come chat to us. We all love that side of the industry, meeting and talking to new people.

11. Outside of music, what do you like to do to relax?

Outside of actually playing and writing music, an easy one is we all love going to watch live music and discovering new artists. Outside of music all together it is a mixed bag, the majority of us in the band are gamers, we are all movie goers, we travel, we enjoy graphic design. Yeah, as said, it is a pretty mixed bag.

12. Where can people find you?

People can find us on all across all social media platforms. People can also catch us at our upcoming shows.




Links

Website | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Author

  • Owner/Administrator/Editor/Writer/Interviewer/YouTuber - you name it, I do it. I love gaming, horror movies, and all forms of heavy metal and rock. I'm also a Discworld super-fan and love talking all things Terry Pratchett. Do you wanna party? It's party time!