In our final music interview of 2023, we speak to the duo Past The Fall. They describe their music as dark but catchy and reveal their dream to headline a homecoming festival.
Band Name: Past The Fall
Members: Will Wright (Bass/Vocals) & Thomas Cope (Guitars/Vocals)
Genre: Epic Groove Metal with Grungy Sleaze
Founded: 2014
Originated From: Cambridge, UK
Discography: From Insanity’s Ruin (Album, 2021)
How would you describe your music?
It’s definitely all about getting a great groove together first and foremost, and it’s dark and wild metal but has super catchy riffs, epic solos and dual vocals that go from screams to whispers and twin harmonies.
What is your musical creative process like?
It’s all born out of the guitar riff/vocal idea and a priority on songcraft, which is in turn brought to each of the different elements from there. We don’t jam a lot of ideas as we like the time to let our heads and hearts make the music first. We then have to work out how to play it on the instruments! That way we don’t have a limit on our imagination from muscle memory.
How did the band form?
It’s really built around Will and Thomas’ long-standing friendship, in fact, we’ve been friends since we were 11 years old! We have been playing music in and out of different bands since we were young but we decided to get the Past The Fall project together seriously in 2014.
How did you come up with your band name?
We’d like to say it was really planned but we just brainstormed a very long list of names. We knew we wanted three words, and Past The Fall was the best, you could say it felt right. It has connotations of rising up past our previous failures, and even more metaphysical – the fall of humans from Eden and acquiring true freedom and knowledge.
Who influenced you within the music industry?
From a business perspective, we think artists who have taken a lot of control of the means of production and flourish on their own terms are cool. Early Malevolence and Enter Shikari for example – musically we have little or nothing in common but we really respect their work ethic.
Have you performed live much and what was your favourite gig to play at?
We’ve toured the UK, Europe, the US and Mexico, plus doing numerous one-offs all over. From recent memory, our favourite that springs to mind is just playing our Debut at Bloodstock Open Air this year!
What is the best thing about being in a band?
Playing live and the connection with the fans is quite profound and humbling. That’s all wrapped up in the integrity of artistic freedom and expression that we’ve set as our non-negotiable.
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far as a musician(s)?
Trying to be visible against all the background noise, with the ease of digital to put content in front of people. Ironically in some ways, it makes it harder to reach our fans through the saturation of other content.
What plans have you got coming up next year?
We’ve got our heads down in the studio recording new material for release in 2024.
What is your ultimate dream as a band?
To play the mainstage at Bloodstock would be insane. We live close by so feels like the ultimate hometown show!
You can find out more about Past The Fall by visiting their website and following them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
If you’re in a band or a musician and would like to appear on this blog, please contact me and I’ll forward you an interview template.
Also, check out my other Music Interview roundups from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022.
