Few bands tug at our heart quite like The Early November. Now more than two decades into their career, The Early November continue to fill the spirits of aging emo kids with a sonic wave that feels like a warm hug. A unique blend of poetic lyricism and influences from across the punk and emo space, the Early November have always felt exactly like their name describes, music for the hard transitions of life. No wonder a bunch of teenagers started tattooing these lyrics on them more than 20 years ago.
Founding member and drummer Jeff Kummer talked with NAPNET's Shannon Elaine about their enduring space in the scene.
Enjoy this early November interview with the Early November.
Interview
Shannon Elaine sits down with Jeff Kummer
When The Room's Too Cold was released in 2003, did you have any sense that people would still be connecting with these songs more than two decades later?
I had a sense that it was special, for sure. It wasn’t the album you’d expect after “For All Of This” at the time, so it actually felt like a risk. The future wasn’t really on my mind. There is no part of me that was thinking about how it’d be perceived in 20 years. I was locked in on the moment and knew we were meeting it by our standards. That release was met with so much excitement and encouragement. It just felt like we were immediately off to the races.
The Early November helped shape an era of emo that newer bands are still drawing inspiration from. When you listen to emerging artists today, do you hear elements of what your generation helped create?
I do. I think it’s really cool. To see a scene that was so special to me make a lasting impact is proof that it wasn’t a flash in the pan. It lives on to inspire new artists to pick up an instrument and communicate in their own specific way. To see how those influences emerge within their generation is fascinating.
There has been such a resurgence of interest in early 2000s emo and alternative music. Do you think this is primarily nostalgia, or are younger audiences discovering something in the music that still feels relevant?
It’s definitely both. My generation is highly nostalgic, but we also share a deep love for the scene and what it brought to our lives. I think it feels relevant to younger audiences because the music is authentic and real, when not much else is right now.
You've experienced the music industry before streaming and social media became dominant. What do you think emerging artists have gained from those changes, and what have they lost?
I’m not sure what they’re gaining. It feels to me that streaming has conditioned the listener to discard new music faster than ever. Social media used to be a great way to connect with your audience, before algorithms were designed to bury your posts and make you pay for ads. It’s harder than ever to find music I connect to when I’m being suggested the same old thing. Just because I like something doesn’t mean I want to listen to a slightly different version of it over and over again…
I personally miss the patience that used to come with finding and experiencing new art. I miss when artists were a mystery and didn’t have to submit to social trends a couple times a week to stay in your feed. Knowing everything about everyone is off putting to me. I miss when everyone and everything wasn’t so attainable.
After more than two decades, how has your relationship with the songs you wrote when you were younger changed? Are there lyrics that mean something entirely different to you now?
My relationship with our music is pretty consistent. I’m really proud of it and enjoy listening to our records. One of my favorite things about Ace’s writing is that his lyrics are very open to interpretation. These songs have hit me in different ways throughout different stages of my life and continue to do so.
Your music has always carried a strong emotional identity. Has your approach to vulnerability and songwriting changed as you've gotten older?
From my viewpoint, not really. I think if anything, Ace has been able to take that vulnerable honesty, dissect it, and display it differently with each release.
Looking back at the early emo scene, what do you think people romanticize about that period that was actually much more difficult behind the scenes?
People romanticize about it because it was a special moment in time. When your favorite band exploded, it felt like you were on the same ride to fame with them. I don’t have many stories that represent the dark side to that. I think it’s awesome to see people talking about Emo in 2026, even if they have no idea what the hell they’re talking about.
When you're performing songs from The Room's Too Cold alongside newer material, do you notice a difference in how audiences respond?
Of course. Those songs mean a lot to people and we are super grateful for it. It’s nice to know that you can always lean on them to get the crowd going.
There's an interesting challenge for established bands: audiences love the older material, but artists still want to grow creatively. How do you balance honoring the music that built your audience without feeling confined by it?
Never neglect your audience, but also trust the gut that got you to this point. It’s a healthy balance.
The Early November has experienced different chapters, including time apart and reunions. What has kept the creative connection alive through those changes?
Ace and I. Our relationship has always been at the center of The Early November. Creatively, that is the spark that fuels what comes next
Do you think the current emo scene offers the same sense of community and belonging that existed when you were first starting out, or has the meaning of community changed?
That’s hard for me to say because I’m not as plugged in as I once was. I do know that our niche community, the TEN community, is so welcoming and special. It really has been from the very beginning. The people who started our message boards in 2002 are still coming to shows and connecting with first time listeners with open arms. It’s literally the best thing in the world.
What do you think younger musicians misunderstand about sustaining a career in this industry?
I wouldn’t say they’re misunderstanding anything. I just think it’s hard. The business is always changing and we’re right there with everyone else trying to figure out the next move. My advice would be to stick to your core values, learn from your mistakes, outwork everyone, and seize the opportunities that make the most sense for you.
You've influenced a generation of musicians, but who or what is influencing you creatively at this stage of your career?
inherently have a desire to create. It’s always been there. It makes me feel good about myself. I’m always being influenced, but I don’t think I can pinpoint anything other than the human experience. There’s nothing I’m listening to right now that I’m drawing from.. at least consciously.
Is there something about The Early November's history that you feel has been overlooked or misunderstood?
At times, I wish I knew the “something” that’s being overlooked. I certainly feel like the band is overlooked at times. But that’s not a place I like to live in. It’s more of an intrusive thought. On the flip side of that, we have an amazing following that knows exactly who we are. I don’t think we’re misunderstood.
After everything you've experienced as a band, what does success look like now compared with when you were first starting?
It’s the same. I want to continue creating art that I love. I want to connect with people who need connection. I want to break through the next ceiling.