We were lucky to catch up with Al Hall recently and have shared our conversation below.
Al, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
One of the biggest risks we’ve taken as a band was going all in on our last album back in 2023. At the time as always, life was hectic—jobs, school, and other commitments—but we believed so much in the songs and wanted to make something real together. We self-funded everything: recording, merch, promo, and even threw a hometown release show, It was a huge leap, and honestly, we didn’t know if we could pull it off at such a level. But the night of the show, the venue was packed, people are still singing the new songs back to us, and we are feeling the impact of betting on ourselves. That risk changed everything for us!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
We’re Life in Idle, an emo/alt band from Ohio making raw, honest music for people who feel deeply right in “The Heart of it All”. From basement shows to big music festival gigs, we’ve built everything DIY—writing, recording, promoting, and designing it all ourselves. Our sound blends early 2000s emo with our own modern rock twist, and we’re here to create music and make moments that connect us.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson we had to unlearn was that everything has to be perfect before you release it. Early on, we’d overthink every little detail—mixes, visuals, timing—trying to make things flawless. But that held us back and held us down. We realized that authenticity and momentum matter more than perfection. Releasing honest work, even if it’s a little rough around the edges, connects more than waiting too long trying to “get it right” in the end. Then there’s just making a record happen financially. Ideally it all comes together imperfectly.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
During COVID, we had to cancel multiple shows last-minute, losing momentum and income we were counting on. It was right as we were planning our big release. It hit hard—but instead of sitting still, we pivoted fast. We focused on writing, connecting with fans online, and improving our content game. That shift helped us stay active and keep growing even when the stage went silent.
Contact Info:
- Website: Linktr.ee/lifeinidle
- Instagram: Instagram.com/lifeinidle
- Facebook: Facebook.com/lifeinidle
- Twitter: Twitter.com/lifeinidle
- Youtube: Youtube.com/lifeinidle937
- Other: https://www.threads.com/@lifeinidle?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== https://bsky.app/profile/lifeinidle.bsky.social
Image Credits
Kyle McDowell