As December Falls are a four-piece female-fronted rock band from Nottingham. The band are: Bethany Curtis (Vocals), Ande Hunter (Guitar/Vocals), Timmy Francis (Bass), and Lukas James (Drums).
The band formed in 2013 and spent six months writing and recording their debut EP A Home Inside Your Head, which was released in November 2014. I recently talked to As December Falls ahead of the release of their new single Capture.
How did you first become interested in music?
Ande: I really discovered guitar through my cousin Sam when I was 14 and living in Spain. I had an old, beaten-up classical guitar which he tuned and started playing the riff to Can’t Stop on. It was crazy for me to see him recreate some of my favourite songs and he taught me the first couple of riffs I ever learnt.
Timmy: I was 14 and into a lot of pop-punk music. It was a Blink-182 song where Travis and Mark just lock in on this breakdown and it sounds amazing. I saved up, bought my first bass and I’ve never stopped playing since.
How did the band come about?
Timmy knew Lukas from college and was introduced to Bethany through a friend and they started the band together. Ande and Timmy grew up playing in rock bands in Nottingham and played many gigs together whilst in other bands. When the EP was being written and the studio was booked, Timmy asked Ande if he would write and session lead guitar parts in the studio if they couldn’t find a more permanent member, since Ande was in another band at the time. As soon as Ande heard the demos, he decided to commit as a permanent member.
Who are your musical influences?
You may not hear it shine through our music but Kanye West is a big influence on us as musicians.
What’s your favourite song?
Bethany: Born Young and Free by Marmosets. I love the lead singer and the riffs, and it’s also a great message.
Ande: If I had to choose it would probably be Estranged by Guns n’ Roses. The lead guitar is simply incredible throughout and the piano key change halfway through is sublime.
Do you have a favourite lyric?
Ande: “When your deepest thoughts are broken, keep on dreaming boy, because when you stop dreaming it’s time to die,” from Change by Blind Melon. I’ve actually got this tattooed as well.
What music are you listening to at the moment?
Ande: The last few albums I’ve been obsessing over have been Charlie Simpson’s latest album and Legendary by the Summer Set.
Timmy: American Psycho/American Beauty by Fall Out Boy. Ande and I are seeing them on their UK tour in November.
Describe your music in 3 words.
Energetic, honest and fun.
Which of your songs is your favourite?
Bethany: Definitely Capture, I like the lyrics and it’s a challenge to sing. I’m really pushing myself more vocally. I also love the hook in the chorus.
Lukas: Capture because I get to play triplets!
How do you get inspiration?
Most of the time Timmy will come up with a few rhythm ideas before hammering it out with the rest of the band writing their own parts around it. Some songs are a lot harder to make work than others!
What are your most and least favourite things about being in a band?
Bethany: Most favourite thing is that it definitely feels like I’ve inherited three older brothers. I get really, really nervous just before I go on stage. As soon as the first note starts I’m fine but I hate the wait before.
Lukas: Best thing is easily that girls love drummers! The worst is that being the drummer means I have the most kit which is always a pain to move around.
So you all know our single is out in a week. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we hit the iTunes Chart? #SupportUnsignedMusic http://t.co/XT0OOUMTCT
— As December Falls (@asdecemberfalls) March 23, 2015
What are your interests outside of music?
Timmy: I have a weirdly obsessive love for Sonic. I also play a lot of video games.
Lukas: I love tattoos and am doing an art degree at the moment with the hope of becoming a tattoo artist.
Tell us something interesting about yourselves.
Ande: I’m half Spanish and lived in Spain for four years.
Timmy: I’m left handed but have never owned a proper left handed guitar. Instead, I learned to play a right handed guitar upside down.
What would you say was the best moment of your career so far?
Bethany: Playing at Rock City was amazing, it’s been our biggest show to date and it was a lot of fun.
Ande: Seeing the amount of people who buy our merch and music across the world. It still blows my mind.
Tell us about your new single Capture.
We’re so excited about it. The single is out on the 30th of March. We’ve already received some incredible reviews and also radio air play from BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio. We’re hoping to hit the iTunes Rock Chart too.
Have you got anything interesting in the pipeline for the next few months?
We’re hitting the studio again to record a summer EP as well as hopefully getting some more shows booked over the summer. We’re looking at working with an amazing producer so we’re very excited about that.
Capture is available to pre-order now on iTunes. You can also follow As December Falls on Facebook and Twitter.
Are you a fan of As December Falls? Let us know in the comments below!
