Long Island natives Tim Stark and Sarah Rose Fuchs—the founding members of Them vs. Her—bare their souls on on their latest album, Swing Sets and Handguns (out April 30), premiering in full today on Myspace (listen above). “It is a concept album about a girl in a relationship with her childhood best friend,” Fuchs explains. “The record tackles the boyfriend’s alcohol and drug abuse in their adolescent years. As the story develops, the girl begins to display many co-dependent tendencies and insecurities in her words, subsequently developing an addiction of her own as she follows him down a dark path and struggles with the best way for them to get out.”

Them vs. Her has grown and evolved from its indie-folk beginnings of just Fuchs and Stark into a 5-piece rock band with emo leanings (think Mayday Parade, Tonight Alive and Brand New). Still, Swing Sets and Handguns displays the emotional fragility that made Them vs. Her’s debut so appealing. Fuchs talks to Myspace about meeting Stark, the personal challenges behind their band name, and how much they love Long Island.

Hometown and Homebase: We both grew up in Suffolk County, New York about 20 minutes away from each other. Though Tim did move to other states throughout his childhood. He found his way back here, though, a few years before we met. I love Long Island and I don't see myself ever permanently leaving.

What’s Them vs. Her’s origin story?

We actually met on a boat in the summer of 2012. It was one of those overpriced mermaid watching tours that you can find online. I fell overboard and saw a clown fish. Super big fear of mine. Tim—so brave—jumped in to help me. He punched the fish in the nose and even wrestled a killer whale. It was cool. After we got back on deck, we decided to form a band. We didn't see one mermaid, though, pretty sure we were scammed...

Does the name Them Vs. Her mean anything?

Tim named the band. He says it was because of my recovery with bulimia. When we formed the band, I was still struggling a lot. In treatment, I learned how to separate the "eating disorder thoughts" from my own so I could fight it. I told Tim once that I felt like the disordered thoughts took over my mind and consumed me. He took what I said and named the band around it. 'Them' being the disorder and 'her' being me.

What about your album name? Why is it called Swing Sets and Handguns?

It's a concept album, inspired by my recovery from bulimia and Tim's recovery from alcoholism. The album story is about a young couple that grew up together and as adults are plagued by addiction. The title 'Swing Sets and Handguns' represents innocence, then corruption.

Who are your biggest musical influences in Them vs. Her?

Bands like The Dangerous Summer, Dashboard Confessional, Secondhand Serenade and Mayday Parade influence our sound the most. Tim is heavily inspired by Blink-182 and The Story So Far.

How did you discover your musical talent? Did you grow up in a musical household?

Actually, I didn't. No one in my immediate family played music until my mom married her second husband when I was 16. He plays guitar and he used to take me out on gigs to sing with him. I was always into music though, and I took guitar lessons when I was a teenager for a short time. I also sang in my school's chorus and I played the violin. I used to sing karaoke when I was a little girl and my mom filmed "music videos" of me lip syncing songs from Britney Spears and The Backstreet Boys too. Oh, the '90s....

Does living in Long Island influence your music?

Most of my memories, friends and family are in Long Island. I don't think it's necessarily the environment that influences me. It's more so the fact that this is my home, this is where my heart is, this is where my loved ones are. And all of those factors have inspired me in some way.

Who would you love to collaborate with?

I'd collaborate with anyone that has a writing chemistry with us...someone with similar goals and visions. I've also always wanted to sing on an electro house song. I've written songs for other artists like that before but I've never officially recorded vocals for one.

What do you do for fun?

I lift a lot. And I play the fluegelhorn. Also, yoga!

If you were a hashtag, what would you be?

#bluehairgivesmesuperpowers

Do you remember the first song you ever wrote? What was it about?

I was 13, suffering through my first heartbreak. It's funny because no one has ever heard that song and I didn't record it but I still remember the first verse and chorus perfectly.

Do you have an awesome Myspace-related story as a musician? Can you tell us about it?

Besides doing this interview, I found my old favorite band on Myspace in 2006. They were a Canadian band and the lead singer was open about his struggle with bulimia, which of course was something I related to. They were just starting out and they'd comment back on my page often. Myspace was a really nice way to connect with them on a personal level.

What is Them vs. Her's plan for world domination?

Promoting world peace. And three words: flashing neon signs.