Music is often at the forefront of an ever-changing political climate. Richmond indie rockers Dead Billionaires use their energetic punk stylings as a way to wrestle with problems in society, most evident in the band’s name itself.

Dead Billionaires’ new EP “More!,” the follow-up to the band’s debut 2023 LP, “Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book,” does not shy away from tackling those issues. The record was written, recorded and released in under a year, something lead singer and guitarist Warren Campbell says was important to do, given the nature of everything happening in the country right now.

“Because of the sharp swing to fascism in our country, I knew the urgency we felt had to be reflected not only in the songs, but also in our recording and release process,” he said in a released statement. “We all needed these songs to be out.”

Style sat down with Campbell to discuss the new record, economic problems and the general anxiety facing many of our communities, and how music can help fight for change.

Style Weekly: Tell us about the new record.

Warren Campbell: “More” is kind of an addendum to the other music that we had already released. It’s got four tracks. It’s pretty fast-paced rock and roll, but we never stick to exactly one thing when we’re making music. One song is sort of a slower, folky track and then we have a punk track and then an alt-rock track and then something that’s a little Springsteen-y. But it’s our normal rock and roll that we’re known for. We really wanted to get this record out as quickly as we could because these are songs that I personally feel we all need right now in today’s world.

Your music has always been about what’s going on in the world politically or just in general with the everyday person. Is this new record a continuation of those themes?

I’d say we’re kind of hammering down on some of the more interpersonal themes. I think it’s one thing to write a resistance record, but it also can get to the point of shouting at the sky when everyone else is also doing that all the time. I tried to turn a little more inward and instead of saying, “This situation we’re in is so awful,” I’m looking at themes like “How do we fix it?” or “How can I still accomplish all of my dreams?”

I think that’s a big theme of this record. You sort of see the world collapsing around you and think we’re not going to be able to do the American dream because of economic circumstances or the government’s trampling of our civil rights. I think that these songs touch on that a bit.

“I think the real threat to the Richmond music community is the financial elements that are keeping people out, whether it’s housing that’s too expensive for artists to come here or higher production fees at venues that keep shows from happening.”

 

What are you hoping that people get out of this new EP?

My goal is to always champion rock and roll music and that it can be used to enact major change in society. I want people to realize that we have some sort of collective voice within ourselves and that when listening to this record, know that rock and roll can satisfy some of our inner angst about the world.

What’s next for Dead Billionaires after this record is out?

The construction of the economy in our world is creating a lot more barriers. We haven’t been able to tour like we used to and I know a lot of other artists are also dealing with that. I think that’s sort of a mirror to what we’re looking at now with the federal government failing us in regards to cutting essential programs. So we’re keeping things local for a bit with shows in Richmond and in Charlottesville and Winchester. I think a lot of substantial change happens at the local level, so right now, we plan on playing a little closer to home where we can actually talk more with our neighbors.

How do you feel the Richmond music scene is navigating all these times of uncertainty and fighting back?

I’ve always felt that the strength of Richmond’s music scene is that incredible musicians want to be here and that’s ultimately why this scene is so great. I think the real threat to the Richmond music community is the financial elements that are keeping people out, whether it’s housing that’s too expensive for artists to come here or higher production fees at venues that keep shows from happening.

No one’s making money from their records, unfortunately. I think that people should call their congressperson about the Living Wage for Musicians Act. It’s a bill that is trying to introduce a new streaming royalty that would be paid out that is separate from organizations like Spotify. I think that if we can help artists succeed, then we can all have a better chance at a collective voice to make the world a better place for everybody.

Dead Billionaires will celebrate “More!” on Friday, Oct. 17 with a release show at The Camel with Rikki Rakki and Flora & the Fauna. Tickets are $12-$15.