Interview: Forward Russia
Related Artist:
¡Forward, Russia!
Forward Russia are on the verge of releasing their second album, so we catch up with them for a chat to see how it's all going.
Firstly, its an intriguing name! What are the origins?
We did our first gig without a proper name, we hadn't thought it was that important! Between that gig and our second we did some research, and Tom made a list of cool phrases and words he found on the internet. It doesn't have much meaning behind it for us, but we liked how it sounded powerful.
You have a distinctive sound, who would you say your main influences are?
All of us in the band listen to completely different stuff. Individually we all listen to different sub genres, but I guess all together we can agree on the merits of bands like Joy Division, Radiohead, At The Drive In and Sonic Youth.
Your new album 'Life Processes' is a brilliant follow up to 'Give me a Wall', did you enjoy making the album or did you feel the pressure of having to cough up, and prove to your fans?
We really took our time over writing this album, and most of the songwriting came as a natural progression. By the time we'd stopped touring, we were so thirsty to write some new material we just kept banging songs out. Recording it in Seattle was also really cool, and generally we didn't have any pressure from anyone. Of course we like to impress our fans, but having fans is a luxury that comes after writing a great album.
Are you excited to tour with it? Do you enjoy touring? Tell me about the weirdest experience you've endured whilst touring in the past?
I love to tour. The other guys all have girlfriends and cats, so they enjoy the time at home, but I live for the road. We've not had that many weird things happen to us, generally vans breaking down, and going out with other bands and having a big laugh altogether is usually the norm on tour.
Is there a city you prefer to play to?
Every band feels some kind of close relationship with their hometown, but apart from that there are a few others. We always seem to have great fans in the Norwich / Ipswich area, and usually the further north you go, the better the shows get! There's something about Scotland.
Whats your personal favourite song on the album?
I have a few! There's songs I prefer to play, and songs i prefer to listen to, and songs i prefer in a certain mood. I like to play Shadow because i've left my drum part fairly open so I can put loads of fills in. Spring is also a favourite because I think it sounds so cool with all the cross-rhythms.
How important has myspace been to your career?
I think the internet as a whole is such a vital tool in any band's careers. The beauty with MySpace is being able to post the news bulletins and having people read what you're up to, without having to visit another website. I certainly don't think it's pivitol, although without a MySpace I think it's harder to stay in touch with the fans.
What does your Grandma think of your music?
lets say it's not their cup of tea! Both my Grandma's are really proud of me and Whiskas do (we're siblings y'know). But i don't think they have copies of the album(s), and certainly don't listen to it. But they do like to tell everyone about us, and go into their record shop and ask about us. Bless.
Racheal Crowther
¡Forward, Russia! Official Site
Forward Russia Myspace
Buy ¡Forward, Russia! CDs | Buy ¡Forward, Russia! mp3s | Buy ¡Forward, Russia! Tickets | Buy ¡Forward, Russia! Merch
Forward Russia are on the verge of releasing their second album, so we catch up with them for a chat to see how it's all going.
Firstly, its an intriguing name! What are the origins?
We did our first gig without a proper name, we hadn't thought it was that important! Between that gig and our second we did some research, and Tom made a list of cool phrases and words he found on the internet. It doesn't have much meaning behind it for us, but we liked how it sounded powerful.
You have a distinctive sound, who would you say your main influences are?
All of us in the band listen to completely different stuff. Individually we all listen to different sub genres, but I guess all together we can agree on the merits of bands like Joy Division, Radiohead, At The Drive In and Sonic Youth.
Your new album 'Life Processes' is a brilliant follow up to 'Give me a Wall', did you enjoy making the album or did you feel the pressure of having to cough up, and prove to your fans?
We really took our time over writing this album, and most of the songwriting came as a natural progression. By the time we'd stopped touring, we were so thirsty to write some new material we just kept banging songs out. Recording it in Seattle was also really cool, and generally we didn't have any pressure from anyone. Of course we like to impress our fans, but having fans is a luxury that comes after writing a great album.
Are you excited to tour with it? Do you enjoy touring? Tell me about the weirdest experience you've endured whilst touring in the past?
I love to tour. The other guys all have girlfriends and cats, so they enjoy the time at home, but I live for the road. We've not had that many weird things happen to us, generally vans breaking down, and going out with other bands and having a big laugh altogether is usually the norm on tour.
Is there a city you prefer to play to?
Every band feels some kind of close relationship with their hometown, but apart from that there are a few others. We always seem to have great fans in the Norwich / Ipswich area, and usually the further north you go, the better the shows get! There's something about Scotland.
Whats your personal favourite song on the album?
I have a few! There's songs I prefer to play, and songs i prefer to listen to, and songs i prefer in a certain mood. I like to play Shadow because i've left my drum part fairly open so I can put loads of fills in. Spring is also a favourite because I think it sounds so cool with all the cross-rhythms.
How important has myspace been to your career?
I think the internet as a whole is such a vital tool in any band's careers. The beauty with MySpace is being able to post the news bulletins and having people read what you're up to, without having to visit another website. I certainly don't think it's pivitol, although without a MySpace I think it's harder to stay in touch with the fans.
What does your Grandma think of your music?
lets say it's not their cup of tea! Both my Grandma's are really proud of me and Whiskas do (we're siblings y'know). But i don't think they have copies of the album(s), and certainly don't listen to it. But they do like to tell everyone about us, and go into their record shop and ask about us. Bless.
Racheal Crowther
¡Forward, Russia! Official Site
Forward Russia Myspace
Buy ¡Forward, Russia! CDs | Buy ¡Forward, Russia! mp3s | Buy ¡Forward, Russia! Tickets | Buy ¡Forward, Russia! Merch
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