A:
Sinead read the phrase in play while she was studying drama a while back. She loved it and it kinda stuck. I was re-naming my old band at the time and suggested it to my bandmates but they said no, so Sinead was like 'Fine! If I ever start a band that's what I'm gonna call it!' - and she did :)
Q:
Durban has been a major hot spot for some of the greatest bands to ever come out of South Africa, easily equaling Johannesburg and Cape Town's effort. What is it about Durban and KZN in general that produces such amazing talent?
Ummm I dunno, I guess it's all the Durban Poison? It's weird though, Durban is pretty isolated from the rest of the country in terms of 'the scene' and sometimes that plays in our favour, producing some bands that are fresh and exciting, making music no one else is doing in the country. Sometimes it doesn't work though and bands can be irrelevant to what's going on nationally. I guess it's just hit and miss.
Q:
Even though most of the industry will tell you that music sales are way down, there is no doubt that South Africa, now more than ever is supporting the local alternative scene on a major scale, thanx to channels like MK who have created a stage for just about everyone with a band, which is obviously great for up and coming talent... But, do you think this has flooded the industry and created unnecessary competition for true talents like yourselves, or do you think this has made everyone step up their game just a little?
A:
Oh definitely the latter, bands and the industry in general have stepped up their game by leaps and bounds in the last 5 years or so. And that is no doubt largely due to MK. The only problem is like you said, over saturation. Seems like ANYONE with a guitar, a garage and a handy-cam is making a music video nowadays. That's great and all, but MK needs to be a little more picky in terms of what videos they playlist. There needs to be a standard. I'm sure in time to come when quality content abounds it'll sort itself out though.
Q:
You guys are about to release the first part, of a brand new 2 part EP, called "Live Long" to be followed towards the end of the year by "prosper"... What's the idea behind the titles? Do we have a couple of star trek fans in the band or am I getting it all wrong?
A:
Nope. You are 100% correct. Star Trek for the win! Although we sure do love Star Wars too. Ha ha. We were looking for a title that works together or on it's own. When I thought of that I just couldn't resist.
Q:
What can we expect from the EP's musically? Good old constant FTTW brilliance, or some surprises?
A:
Well, it's a little more serious at times and a little more edgy/alternative but that being said, it's still us. We still sang with smiles on our faces :) We also recorded with a new producer, Jacques 'Jambo' du Plessis, who is crazy talented. The production a whole lot better too. Guess you'll just have to wait and see, oh no you don't cos it's all up to listen to on our soundcloud! www.soundcloud.com/firethroughthewindow
Q:
I always find it incredibly fascinating, how people in a band find one goal creatively between so many people... Are there ever times that you guys struggle to find one common goal, or do you all basically have the same musical influences and ideas?
A:
I think we all like similar music, but the main thing is we all like a LOT of different kinds of music. From country to hardcore to pop to electronica and everything in between we dig it all. So maybe some of us like hardcore more than others, some of us will then like country more than others. Whatever, it all gels together in the end and I think it's important to draw your influences from more than just the genre you play. If not it can end up a little copycat at times. You know, cast a wide net and see what you catch.
Q:
Any hidden talents or hobbies among the members of the band?
A:
Well, Sinead is in marketing and is currently part of the team launching the Mr Price online store, Wok is a graphic designer in CT, keags is in architecture and I run a design company called Milkbox that mainly does web design. I love that we all do other stuff besides the band, I know for me anyway I need loads of stuff going on all the time or I'd lose my mind. Maybe I'll chill out when I'm older but now is the time to get shit done!
Even though most of the industry will tell you that music sales are way down, there is no doubt that South Africa, now more than ever is supporting the local alternative scene on a major scale, thanx to channels like MK who have created a stage for just about everyone with a band, which is obviously great for up and coming talent... But, do you think this has flooded the industry and created unnecessary competition for true talents like yourselves, or do you think this has made everyone step up their game just a little?
A:
Oh definitely the latter, bands and the industry in general have stepped up their game by leaps and bounds in the last 5 years or so. And that is no doubt largely due to MK. The only problem is like you said, over saturation. Seems like ANYONE with a guitar, a garage and a handy-cam is making a music video nowadays. That's great and all, but MK needs to be a little more picky in terms of what videos they playlist. There needs to be a standard. I'm sure in time to come when quality content abounds it'll sort itself out though.
Q:
You guys are about to release the first part, of a brand new 2 part EP, called "Live Long" to be followed towards the end of the year by "prosper"... What's the idea behind the titles? Do we have a couple of star trek fans in the band or am I getting it all wrong?
A:
Nope. You are 100% correct. Star Trek for the win! Although we sure do love Star Wars too. Ha ha. We were looking for a title that works together or on it's own. When I thought of that I just couldn't resist.
Q:
What can we expect from the EP's musically? Good old constant FTTW brilliance, or some surprises?
Well, it's a little more serious at times and a little more edgy/alternative but that being said, it's still us. We still sang with smiles on our faces :) We also recorded with a new producer, Jacques 'Jambo' du Plessis, who is crazy talented. The production a whole lot better too. Guess you'll just have to wait and see, oh no you don't cos it's all up to listen to on our soundcloud! www.soundcloud.com/firethroughthewindow
Q:
I always find it incredibly fascinating, how people in a band find one goal creatively between so many people... Are there ever times that you guys struggle to find one common goal, or do you all basically have the same musical influences and ideas?
A:
I think we all like similar music, but the main thing is we all like a LOT of different kinds of music. From country to hardcore to pop to electronica and everything in between we dig it all. So maybe some of us like hardcore more than others, some of us will then like country more than others. Whatever, it all gels together in the end and I think it's important to draw your influences from more than just the genre you play. If not it can end up a little copycat at times. You know, cast a wide net and see what you catch.
Q:
Any hidden talents or hobbies among the members of the band?
A:
Well, Sinead is in marketing and is currently part of the team launching the Mr Price online store, Wok is a graphic designer in CT, keags is in architecture and I run a design company called Milkbox that mainly does web design. I love that we all do other stuff besides the band, I know for me anyway I need loads of stuff going on all the time or I'd lose my mind. Maybe I'll chill out when I'm older but now is the time to get shit done!
Q:You're quite well known for playing a good number of festival's around the country, what have your best and worse experiences been on stage?
A:
Ah, that's a tough one, worst experiences include mics smashing into faces, bloody noses, throwing up on stage, passing out from heat on stage, crazy stalker fans attacking, amps exploding, guitars breaking, voices cracking and disappearing. Best experiences? Same ones.
Top 10 tracks among the members of the band at the moment?
A:1.Bug - Wavves
2.Microphone - Coconut Records
3.Traveling Song - The Avett Brothers
4.You See Me - Childish Gambino
5.It Don't Matter - Anchors Up
6.Goodbye - Best Coast
7.Jen Is Bringin' The Drugs - Margot and the Nuclear So and So's
8.Palomino - Mates of State
9.Volunteers - Megafaun
10.Middle brother - Middle Brother
Q:
What can we expect from FTTW in the near and distant future?
A:
Well we're doing some more launch shows for LIVE LONG around the country, we have two more music videos coming along that will be released in the near future, Sinead and I are getting married in June and off to the states (disney!) for our honeymoon, and then it's back into studio in August to record PROSPER. Then it's more touring, more videos, more launches etc etc etc. AMPED!!
