This Burning AgeA Profile
Mix one Birmingham lad, a dose of electronica, a pinch of gothic metal, and then shake it all up over the flaming intent to make music and you get, This Burning Age. This four piece band manage to blend the best parts of multiple genres into music that blurs the lines between audiences.
“….One week we’re on the bill with a few metal bands, then the next we take the stage alongside some great electro bands….” Friday
Due to this genre blurring, the band don’t quite fit the pigeon holes but reside in a space all their own, while at the same time merging fans on both sides into their crowds.
So how did this road begin, how did This Burning Age become the band they are today? Well it all began with one man, lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, Friday.
“….I originally was going to do a solo project….as time went on though, I knew that this would need a bit more to it….” Friday
After writing and recording several rough tracks at home, Friday did what any artist does to take the next step, posted an advert.
“….I put an advert out on one of those ‘bands wanted’ pages, just looking for a producer to work with, and managed to get a reply from someone who was just starting up himself….” Friday
So for the next year, Friday travelled from Birmingham to Wolverhampton to begin work on producing his first solo tracks.
“….as it progressed it became clear that these tracks were beyond a solo performance, even becoming more than just electronica….” Friday
No stranger to guitar and guitar driven music, Friday followed his musical instincts and began to widen the fold and venture into new musical territory.
“….as we were reaching the end, I decided to put out adverts again, and slowly began to put a band together…” Friday
From this point on the band would go through several iterations with the constant being Friday and his talent for penning a tune. As they began performing, they developed the image of the electro goth during live performances, incorporating this aspect into all parts of the creative process. Be it artwork, videos, or anything else, they kept that constant theme.“….everything is connected, it’s like a large piece of art work….” Jon
It would be in the year 2010 when two things would happen which would help to elevate Friday and his musical talent to the next level. First would be the introduction of longest standing member Jon Farrington-Smith to the band.
“….I’d been in several musical projects and was at the time working with a folk songwriter down in London, alongside other creative work, but I was looking for something a bit louder, something a bit heavier musically….”
So when the advert came up, Jon swooped in.
“….I had an audition, and Friday gave me four songs to learn, so I went and learned the entire back catalogue and even taught myself ‘just enough’ piano to get by…..” Jon
“….and from that point on really, it’s been me and Jon. The line up has shifted over the years, but we’ve always remained at the core….” Friday
Matching Friday’s passion for the music, it is no surprise that a budding partnership blossomed and a tour de force was created. However, on top of this, the second serendipitous meeting was around the corner.
“…..at this point we were working at Monochrome Productions and got to work with a great producer, Tom Gittins…. I had known him from the circuit and we had met a few times, but he is such a good producer, really fit with us….” Friday
“….you could almost say he became a member of the band….” Jon
Though Friday would arrive with songs near completion, the bands relationship with Tom would result in the production of four EPs and additional material and widen the bands creative scope even more.
“….he’d be the first to say that his way wasn’t the only way to do things….but we had developed a great trust in the relationship and so he felt comfortable in putting ideas forwards….” Friday
Off the back of these recordings, the band began to release more material and hit the gig circuit. All the while continuing to craft their live performance into something unique for their fans.
“….as we were playing with these big metal bands, we kind of knew that with our electro stuff we would have to go more aggressive….” Jon
So, while keeping the spirit of their electro roots, they leaned even further into the dark side, incorporating electro flair with a metal attitude.“….my sort of approach is that a live show should be different from what you hear on the cd….” Friday
Along with the line up of Jon Farrington-Smith (Guitar, Backing Vocals), James Morrell (Bass Guitar), and Ewen Maclennan (Drums), This Burning Age took to stages across the West Midlands sharing their unique blend of Electro/Metal with eager audiences.
Now though, like all bands from up and down the nation, and the world, the lockdowns put their performances on hold and drove them indoors. Despite this set back however they still continue to create music, embracing this lull to create something fresh.
“….we still record, but more of a DIY approach…..it has helped, in that we take one song at a time and then move on, rather than looking at a bigger picture, so it’ll definitely be something a little different from what we normally do….” Jon
Alongside these recordings, the band are also putting together videos, labeled Lockdown Sessions, that feature the now familiar square panelled videos of bands performing their tracks. Again they are each playing a major role in the creation of all of these elements, proving they are a band that have well and truly found what works and intend to use it to its fullest potential. Plus how many other bands can claim that they are responsible for a marriage, but thats a story for another time.
This Friday sees the release of the band’s latest track, Elastic Heart, which is their take on the single of the same name by Sia. To hear the track, as well hearing more from Jon and Friday on why they chose the cover, make sure to listen to this Fridays’ Barstool Airplay.
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