Sanctuary

Three days later, the first single was released which included the actual song and the accompanying video. Dirty Laundry came out and I watched it before I went to work because I just couldn’t wait. Alex was still asleep when I watched it, but that was fine; I'd watch it again later. It was a fairly simple video, but it was a great one, nonetheless and more serious than other ones they have made over the years. There was a shot of a woman in a wedding gown who put a ring on his finger and another woman who appeared to bite his lip the way that I did. Is the latter what it looks like when I bite his lip? I immediately commented since I have a YouTube account and then got out of that app and put it in my purse. I headed to work completely happy and eager to talk to Alex about the video, but first wanted to talk to Jayla about it.

“Did you see the new ATL video?” I said maybe a too bit excitedly.

“Not yet. Clearly, you did.”

“It is so good. It’s a serious video and the song is great.”

“I’m gonna check it out when I get home tonight.”

“You’re gonna love it.”

“I’m sure I will.”

During my lunch break, I got a call from Alex.

“Hey.”

“Hey. How are you?”

“Fantastic. You?”

“Good. I woke up a half hour ago.”

I laughed.

“Did you catch the video?”

“I watched it before I left for work.”

“Whatja think?”

“I loved it. It’s a different side of you guys.”

“I watched it, too. I was hoping to watch it with you, actually. I wanted to see your initial reaction.”

You could tell he was a little bummed out. I felt bad.

“Oh, honey. I’m sorry. I can watch it with you tonight if you’d like.”

“Sounds like a plan. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Now, I wanted to go home and watch it with him.

“Have a great day, babe.”

“You too.”

I hung up the phone and began eating my lunch. After I finished my lunch, I had ten minutes to kill, so I checked my Facebook like I usually do. I opened it up and at the top of my page was an update on All Time Low’s FB page.

Here we are. Ten years since our first official full-length debut, (nearly 14 years since we formed this band,) and we're lucky enough to be sharing another chapter in the tale of All Time Low with the world. We couldn't be more grateful than we are right now.

I hope you can forgive us, because we've been keeping secrets.

Since the beginning of last year, we have officially been signed to Fueled By Ramen records, the very first label we ever showcased for during our senior year of high school. It didn't work out back then, and that's ok (we probably blew it), but FBR has always felt like a second musical family to us through everything. From Hopeless Records, to Interscope, and back to Hopeless, we've come up listening to the bands on the FBR roster, working together on outside projects, watching with pride and admiration, looking forward to the moment when timing and purpose would align, affording us the chance to come in under their wing. So, here we are; a year spent in secret on a new label, writing songs and brainstorming for what comes next. I'm happy to say that we can finally deliver.

Dirty Laundry is a proud moment for me personally, a song written in the company of friends, torn apart and stitched back together several times over like all the best relationships... It's about leaving the past where it belongs, and loving the people around you for not only their light, but their darkness too.
We shot the video with that in mind; inspired by a dream about the ups and downs that make us who we are, sometimes worn and tired, but better for it... alive and inspired. You can check out the song and watch the video at alltimelow.com . Our good friend Pat Tracy, who directed the 'Missing You' video helped us bring it to life, and we couldn't be happier about where the story will go from here. Pay close attention. :)

I hope you all love the song as much as I do. We're ecstatic about everything we have lined up this year, and can't wait to add this one to the set list as we get back out on the road. See you soon!

xo,

Alex

ps. Sending all our love and gratitude to the Hopeless Records family, without whom we wouldn't be in this position now. Thank you for supporting us and breaking down wall after wall with us as we navigated this wild ride together. You guys have been incredible to work with over the years. Good people go far, which is why you all continue to crush it day in and day out. Thank you.

#DirtyLaundry

I melted as I read what Alex posted. I’d be sure to talk to him about it this evening. I clicked the love emoji as soon as I finished reading it. I refrained from gushing about it because it’s not like they won’t know how I feel about it if I don’t leave a comment. Four hours later, I had returned to the kitchen after taking a well deserved restroom break and noticed something was going on with Jayla.

“What is it?”

“I think that guy your friend used to date, that douchebag is here on a date.”

“Does he have short blond hair and is about Alex’s height?”

“Yeah.”

"Let me take a look if I can."

I walked out of the kitchen just a little and saw him.

"That's him. That poor girl. I hope that this is only a first date and that she’ll realize how much of a dick he is.”

“I hope so, too. I don’t know how I’d deal with that guy.”

“I wish that girl the best.”

“Me too.”

A half hour later, I cooked my delicious paella and a couple minutes passed when it was sent back, claiming it wasn’t cooked long enough. I know the customer is always right, but this is a dish I have perfected over the course of the past decade and I can’t imagine it being undercooked. Maybe it was Miranda’s ex sending it back because he was a dick, not because of how it actually tasted.

“Did he send this back?”

“Yes.”

“Was he rude?”

“Absolutely. I know how great your paella is. I don’t get it.”

She knew the entire story.

“He has issues. That’s all I can say.”

She shook her head and I continued to make the dish again. It wasn’t sent back again which I was relieved about. When I got in my car an hour-and-a-half later, I couldn’t wait to go home. I desperately wanted to unload and relax with my fiancée. A wave of emotions hit me hard as I started my car; seeing Philip’s face brought back so much and I hated that just like I hate him. I managed to get home without having any panic attacks, but I was thankful to be home when I opened the front door.

“Hey.” he said as I took off my shoes.

“Hey.”

“What’s wrong?”

I walked right past him and down the hall and toward our bedroom. He followed me as I stepped into our room, placing a hand on my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks.

“Abby.”

Tears began to run down my face. I turned around with blurry eyes and hugged him tightly and his arms enveloped me.

“What happened?”

“I saw someone I hate.”

He separated us and looked directly at me.

“Who, baby?”

“Phillip.”

He growled.

“Did he speak to you? Did he hurt you?”

“Alex. No. He - I need to sit.”

I was breathing heavily as I sat down on the bed.

“We don’t have to talk about this right now.” he said, picking up on my breathing.

“Give me. Five. Minutes.”

He kissed the top of my head and pulled me close. When I finally slowed my breathing, I was ready to talk.

“Ok. I’m good.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. I can talk. Jayla thought that douchebag was on a date. She was right when I saw his ugly fucking face."

"He was on a date? He needs stopped."

"I felt for the girl, so did she. I asked if he was rude because she had the unfortunate task of serving his table. He was."

"Of course. Did he send his food back?"

"Oh, you're gonna love this. The food he sent back was the paella I make. The paella that Miranda said was the best she ever had and he disagreed with her although he never had mine."

He shook his head.

"You gotta be fucking kidding me. Your paella."

"Mine. Yeah. He claimed it was undercooked which was a load of bullshit."

"He has issues."

"That's what I said. I can't believe I got all emotional like that over him. He doesn't even deserve to be thought about."

"It was a trigger. You had a panic attack over him that night and then you saw that waste of space again. He can go fuck himself just for that."

"Cause no one else will. Sorry. That was a little dark."

"That's okay."

"I need to change."

Once I changed into something more comfortable, I crawled onto the bed next to Alex.

"Hey." I said, kissing him.

"Hey." he said, deepening the kiss.

I smiled and placed my head on his shoulder.

"Someone's feeling like herself again."

"She is."

"I missed her."

"So did I. Anyway, how was your day?"

"Great. I saw that you loved my post."

"Of course I did. It was heartfelt and honest. You also can't forget I love the person who wrote it."

He was blushing.

"Am I making Alex Gaskarth blush?"

"Stop." he said laughing.

I laughed as well.

“Wanna watch it?” he asked.

“Do you really need to ask?”

He pulled up YouTube and found the video and pressed play; the views grew all day. It was different watching it with him, but it’s not like I haven’t seen a new All Time Low video since we started dating because I have, but the feeling is unique watching it with one of the members of the actual band.

“It’s even better the second time around.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“It means the world coming from you.”

It was my turn to blush, so I buried my face into his neck and took his hand in mine.

“I love you.” he said.

“I love you, too.”

Notes