I like when Rock takes a stance of remaining humble in the appearance of hometown heroes, as Framing Hanley have done for years since their start in 2005. This band has gone through tremendous alterations to bring you their golden years starting with this new single titled “Mean it”.  This week I sat down with the band’s enduring vocalist, Kenneth Nixon, and caught up about all that is in the works. 

Guys, thank you immensely for taking the time to chit chat with me about everything going on. I know you have been working really hard, and this new song you’ve put out shows a huge change in temperature from your previous work. What has evolved over the past five years since your drop of the album Envy? 

Nixon: I think what we are creating now is simply a direct result of this group of individuals creating together. It’s no secret that this lineup is different from the past. When Nic, Stoye, and I get together and create – there’s just a certain thing that happens unlike anything I’ve experienced as an artist. We also worked with Richard Wicander (Fire From The Gods) on this EP and his influence could not be overstated. Immediately it was like he was on the same wavelength as I am when it comes to creating; it was just so natural. 

There was mention of a new EP to drop within the vicinity of soon, can you expand on exact dates and what you expect from the coming tour in April? 

Nixon: The current plan is to release this EP as a physical release that you can only get on The Flowers Tour and then after the tour we’ll release it everywhere digitally. I’m beyond stoked to be returning to a lot of cities we haven’t played a show in in well over 10 years. We’ve got a lot of energy to expend (as long as our old ass bodies allow it).

How was the recording process this time around? 

Nixon: It’s been interesting because there are so many songs that Nic and I were working on for a side project 15 years ago – looooong before he was in Framing Hanley – that we never completed. So we revisited a lot of old sessions and were like “hmmm…what if there’s still something here.” “Sweet Tooth” is the final track of this EP and that’s a song I’ve been kicking around for probably eight years now, that I thought I got to completion back during the pandemic. But bringing that song to Richard, it took on a new life. As I said before, working with Richard was unlike any experience I’ve had working with people outside the band previously – and I’ve had a LOT of great experiences with other producers. He’s just such a good dude, and such a brilliant artist, that it really brought out the best in all of us. 

Did you feel anything different as far as the development of the sound and coordinating talents? Was it hard to get back into the swing of things?

Nixon: I think we wanted to make a clear statement of “Framing Hanley is whatever we create whenever we create. There is no ‘sound’ or ‘rule book’ that we have to adhere to.” That creative freedom just makes the process of making art so much more fun. I’ve often said that I think an artist should always want to try new colors, try different size brushes, new brush strokes – we did that and then some on this EP. I don’t feel like from one song to the next it stylistically sounds the “same,” necessarily, but it still sounds like Framing Hanley. I have never had more fun creating than I am having right now.

Did you take any concepts from your previous albums or were you working strictly from a clean slate?

Nixon: Other than the fact that the lead single “Mean It (Photographs and Gasoline Pt 2)” is a sequel to a song from our sophomore album A Promise To Burn, it was a clean slate. That wasn’t even something I set out with the intention of doing. When I was writing the story, I realized that I was continuing a story from 15 years ago now that the person the original song was about was back in my life. 

Were there any heavier influences in music that you’ve allowed to shape this work? Are there any artists that maybe help your inspiration or spots of writer’s block? 

Nixon: I’d be lying to say that what I listen to doesn’t influence me creatively. Sleep Token, Bring Me The Horizon, Loathe, Architects – those are all heavier bands that I think are doing some of the dopest work in that genre right now. But on top of those bands, you’ll catch me listening to artists like Childish Gambino and Medium Build non-stop. And I feel like that certainly comes through in the room when writing.

Do you think your fan base, more importantly the music scene at large, has changed in any noticeable way through the past five years?

Nixon: They’re older. Ha. We’re very fortunate to have anyone that still gives a damn about Framing Hanley after we took a hiatus as long as we did. I can’t wait to share Flowers with them. 

What do you think will be enjoyed the most about this new EP? 

Nixon: The authenticity. The fact that it sounds like Framing Hanley but doesn’t sound like what you were expecting going in.

Thank you again so much for taking the time. I really enjoy your writing, and the style you guys have presented over time. I hope you guys have a super successful year. 

Nixon: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me! Hopefully I’ll see ya at a show!

Jordeana Bell

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