Al PowellMy Forever are a critically acclaimed rock/pop five-piece from North Yorkshire. The band were founded in October 2009 and formed as a full band in June 2010. Based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire the current line-up was finalised in January 2012 and consists of Dave Ingham (Vocals/Guitar), Daniel ‘Twiggy’ Twohig (Bass/Vocals), Matt Ainsworth (Keyboards), Ben Watson (Drums), Seb Santabarbara (Guitar).
In 2011 they were the winners of the Rock Music Crown as ‘The hottest unsigned act within the rock music genre in the UK and Ireland’. Their debut single “Silken Butterflies” was named BBC Radio 1′s Record of the Week in August 2010 and their second single “Always A Stranger” was also named “Record of The Week” on UK based station ‘Amazing Radio’.
After the band fully formed in 2010 they played the BBC Introducing stage at Leeds and Reading Festival 2010, just two months after fully forming and have also made TV appearances on the BBC, with their music featuring in the BBC Series ‘The Cut’.
I caught up with Seb Santabarbara after their prime time slot at York Carnival…
So what have the band been doing recently?
Well we’ve just got back off a UK tour, released our new single ‘Til The End and filmed a music video for it, getting ready for festival appearances, lots going on!!
How did you find the tour?
The tour was incredible, had an amazing time, made some new friends (No Lights at Lockdown and FranKo) along with some great new fans, we also got chance to meet the fans who have been with us since the beginning. The crowds were ace, they really got into the music and made us feel very welcome.
How did the current line-up come about?
I joined the band in January after the guys found some of my music online and found that I was looking to join a band again. Twiggy (bassist) has known Dave (Vocals) for years and went to Leeds College of Music together. Matt (keyboard) went to school with ben and has always been a supporter of the band, and was an obvious choice for taking up the position of keys player in the new My Forever line-up. We had a lot of work to do to get ready for the tour, and were unsure how the fans would take to the new line up, but they’ve been so supportive and have fully embraced the change.
So what are the bands influences?
We all have different influences that we’ve brought to the band. Dave (singer) is influenced by bands such as the goo goo dolls, where as I have come from an electro background. We’re all into classic rock bands such as Led Zeppelin and all the other greats, and modern bands like You Me At Six, Twin Atlantic etc. If it’s good we’ll listen to it, I for one have a pretty eclectic taste.
If you could support one band, who would it be?
I think as a band it would be great to open up for someone who appeals to our same audience, someone like 30 seconds to mars, who are personal favourites of ours. Personally I’d have to say Duran Duran every time, opening up for them would be ace, finishing our set then joining the crowd to hear The Reflex would be amazing!
Now you have just released your new single ‘Til The End what else is in the pipe line?
Well we are playing some festivals over the next few weeks. We’ve just played a prime time slot at York carnival, and are playing at Culture shock, the UK’s biggest youth festival, on the 23rd June, and headlining Summer Sound festival in Ripon on the 30th June. Our new album is scheduled for release at the end of July, and we expect it to be even more successful than our previous album ‘Silhouettes And Paper Birds’. We’re looking into organising another tour in a few months time, watch this space!
BBC Radio York, Played your new single in their prime time hour, how does that feel?
It was a great feeling hearing the track on the radio for the first time, and the positive response from the presenter was incredible, it’s always great to hear that people are enjoying our music. My remix of the single which you also get when you download the track,(available now on iTunes), also got a mention and a great review too, well pleased!
My Forever’s new single can be found on iTunes along with a club remix by Seb Santabarbara, they also have a music video for the single, along with a weekly video blog on their YouTube channel, just search My Forever.
Also find and like them on Facebook and follow them on twitter (@myforeverband) for all the latest news and information.
