PHOTO CREDIT: Zak Pinchin
INTERVIEW: Alessandro DeCaro
Welcome to Artist Spotlight, our new series where we introduce you to fresh and exciting artists you need to hear now! This week’s pick for our Artist Spotlight series is the UK-based genre-bending rock quartet As Everything Unfolds, who are set to drop their highly anticipated third studio album DID YOU ASK TO BE SET FREE? on April 10th via Century Media Records.
While the band has been full steam ahead as they approach the arrival of their new album with the release of the confident and infectiously catchy yet intense new singles “GASOLINE” and “WHAT YOU WANTED” (Ft. Dani Winter-Bates of Bury Tomorrow), there was admittedly a chance that the world would never get to experience DID YOU ASK TO BE SET FREE? in the first place.
In late August of 2024, As Everything Unfolds revealed the devastating news that their longtime drummer Jamie Gowers had tragically passed away, leaving the future of the band uncertain as they mourned the loss of their bandmate. “I wasn’t sure how the band could carry on,” vocalist Charlie Rolfe reflects on the traumatic period. However, Rolfe reveals that with the support of the band’s community and loyal fanbase, As Everything Unfolds would eventually be able to forge a path ahead and begin laying the foundation for their emotionally vulnerable new album.
The result is DID YOU ASK TO BE SET FREE?, a harrowing collection of songs that channel intense grief and loss, filtered through anthemic rock music with soaring choruses and evocative vocals, coupled with genre-bending production that incorporates pop and electronic sensibilities seamlessly.
“If you listen to our records, you never know what’s coming,” Rolfe shares, adding, “And it certainly takes you on a journey through stages of emotions and developments like a movie would.” 2026 is certainly destined to be a landmark year for As Everything Unfolds. With the release of their new album DID YOU ASK TO BE SET FREE? this spring and a busy touring schedule of major festival appearances and yet-to-be-announced tour dates, As Everything Unfolds will be on a well-deserved triumph after overcoming unimaginable tragedy and re-emerging with a compelling body of work that will feel universally relatable to anyone who has ever experienced loss.
In an exclusive interview with Haus Of Cult/The Pretty Cult, we chat with As Everything Unfolds vocalist Charlie Rolfe about the origins of the band, the grief and trauma that informed the new album DID YOU ASK TO BE SET FREE?, collaborating with Bury Tomorrow, fashion inspirations, and so much more.
Can you walk us through the formation of As Everything Unfolds and how you all came together? Who were some of the most crucial musical influences you had from the very beginning, especially considering how eclectic your sound is with rock, metalcore, electronic, and pop elements?
Charlie Rolfe: We formed in our current state back in 2013. It was a mixture of meeting through mutuals and online, a bunch of teenagers just trying to find like-minded people to play music with. We started off mostly playing covers such as Paramore, Fall Out Boy, etc., which are bands I think we’d all agree were formative for us all. As time moved on and our tastes widened and varied, bands like Enter Shikari, Periphery, Skrillex, and Flyleaf were a big influence on us in different ways. But I’d say in recent years we’ve deviated from metalcore and rock into more niche genres individually. BUT I actually think that has helped our musical growth and songwriting skills, it allows us to create something more unique.
For someone hearing As Everything Unfolds for the first time, how would you describe your overall vibe, as well as the first song you would want people to hear? Additionally, what kind of environment do you want to provide fans at your shows?
Rolfe: We tend to go for the word “cinematic.” If you listen to our records, you never know what’s coming, and it certainly takes you on a journey through stages of emotions and developments like a movie would. I think something like the song “Ultraviolet” is a good representation of the full range of what this band can do, but also “Gasoline” is definitely our best chorus to date, so I would love people to listen to that first off! We like to provide a space where everyone can have fun, feel safe, and enjoy themselves. I always love that I look out into the crowd and see a pretty mixed-gender and diverse crowd, and I think this naturally makes a lot of people feel at ease. You can be whoever you want to be in this space — you won’t be alone, and you won’t be judged!
Your new album Did You Ask To Be Set Free? drops on April 10th via your new label home, Century Media Records. What was the process like putting this album together both sonically and lyrically? What do you hope listeners will ultimately take away from this release?
Rolfe: It was a tough one, not going to lie. I went through some personal trauma alongside losing our drummer Jamie in the summer of 2024, who was also my boyfriend at the time. I had moments where I didn’t think this record was going to happen. I wasn’t even sure how the band could carry on, but the support of everyone around us and listening to each other helped us realise we wanted this more than ever. If anything, pushing through the pain to create something beautiful at the end of it was something we didn’t want to run away from.
What song from Did You Ask To Be Set Free? holds the most significance and meaning to you and why?
Rolfe: I genuinely cannot pinpoint one individual song, as I had so, so many things to write about that meant so much to me. But if I had to, I’d for sure pick something like “SETTING SUN,” which was written after Jamie’s passing, a song about managing grief. But it wasn’t written just for me; it was written for all of us ,friends, family, and anyone else struggling with the grieving process.
You have gone on record saying Did You Ask To Be Set Free? is a culmination of your reflections on grief and trauma. Can you walk us through the process of addressing those topics so directly in the writing, and how cathartic it was to put those experiences into lyrics as a way of reclaiming power and agency over them?
Rolfe: It’s hard sometimes to put your experiences into words, and I would say this was my hardest challenge yet. There are some things I needed to get out revolving around alcoholism, mental health, and people’s lack of desire to change, alongside some more metaphorical ideas linked to the red string theory or questions relating to the human condition. I found myself trying to merge these topics to manage being able to write about them, often using allegory in my lyrical writing.
You collaborated with Dani Winter-Bates of Bury Tomorrow on your previous single “WHAT YOU WANTED.” How did this collaboration come about? Additionally, are there any artists/bands you would love to collaborate with in the future?
Rolfe: I've been a fan of Bury Tomorrow since the early days, and we’ve crossed paths here and there on festival circuits, exchanging conversation, etc. But when they invited us on their headline tour in November of 2024, we ended up creating a genuine friendship with them. We had a super heavy track on the album, and Dani is one of the best in the game, it couldn’t have been more perfect. We like the idea of doing a collaboration with someone outside of this genre; maybe something EDM-related would be really fun?
With As Everything Unfolds forming in High Wycombe/London, how did your environment shape your overall sound and ethos as a band?
Rolfe: I wouldn’t say our local area shaped our sound particularly. I think the only band that has come from the area is Young Guns, haha? A lot of the scene had died out by the time we were gigging. We caught the tail end of it playing at Scorpios and The Phoenix Bar in High Wycombe in the early, early days, but both those venues are closed now, sadly.
Who or what is your biggest style/fashion icon or inspiration?
Rolfe: This is a hard one because I don’t particularly follow fashion or understand trends, but I’ve always loved people who lean into particular themes/eras for themselves. I loved My Chemical Romance’s Revenge and Black Parade era, the idea of uniformity and consistency was great! I love new romantic fashion and Victorian-inspired gothic looks. I don’t wear any of this in my day-to-day, but it’s fun to play around with on stage!
What is your process like when putting together outfits for your live shows?
Rolfe: I put together a moodboard of bits I liked, and our lovely stylist Lauren Gelsei created everything for the whole band, including hand-painting patches and drawing onto clothing!
If As Everything Unfolds’ music could be the soundtrack to any film or TV show, what would it be and why?
Rolfe: I think something cyberpunk-related, that neo-noir world. I’m desperate for “SET IN FLOW” to make its way into a video game soundtrack somewhere! Its lyrics and visuals are based on Blade Runner, so it seems all too fitting.
Looking ahead, what is next for the band in terms of touring, new singles, or anything else people should be on the lookout for?
Rolfe: Now we’ve announced the record, things will start rolling. We’re playing some awesome festivals this year, including Download Festival. Some unannounced stuff too! I can’t reveal too much as of yet, but I promise it’ll be good!
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