Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide to start the band?
Joe (vocalist) started off as a solo acoustic artist and ran into Nic (lead guitarist) after playing at a venue in Dunfermline. Joe was wanting to develop his songs further and Nic explained he would be able to help. After a few sessions Nic asked Joe what the goal for these songs were and it was to play the songs as a band. Nic expressed his interest in being the guitarist and that was just the beginning. Looking to add drums to the newly arranged tracks, he brought in Sean – bandmate from their other band, ‘The Passing Sages’. Sean was also interested in joining the band and we continued to create enough songs to be ready for a live show, we just needed to find the right bassist. We held auditions and found Ollie pretty quickly who gelled really well with the three of us and here we are!
Introduce us all to the members and your musical history?
Joe MacFarlane – vocalist/rhythm guitarist
Nic Holson – lead guitarist. Guitar tutor, BA/Honours degree in Popular Music and lead guitarist in band The Passing Sages. Past projects: State of Truth, Flintlock N Roll, Painting Rockets.
Sean Priestley – drummer. Drum tutor, BA/Honours degree in Popular Music and drummer in band The Passing Sages. Past projects: State of Truth.
Ollie Cobbett – bassist. Past projects: Fate Fell Short
What’s one question you’re sick of being asked when interviewed?
I wouldn’t say I was sick of being asked it, but one question we frequently get is “do you get on as a band?”. It’s impossible to speak for other bands, but I would personally find it difficult if I didn’t get on with my bandmates. Working with these 3 idiots has its challenges, but we’re all friends at the end of the day and any disputes are constructive towards making the best music we can – Sean
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories?
It’s almost impossible to know what a conspiracy theory is anymore! Every discussion has 2 sides to it and the more fake news and misinformation that is spread, the more difficult it becomes to know what to believe! – Sean
I agree with Sean. I think the earth isn’t flat and covid was real but there are plenty of people on Facebook who would argue that I’m the conspiracy theorist because of those beliefs. – Ollie
What useless party trick do you have?
I’m shamefully good at the game ‘Just Dance’ – Sean
I can do an accurate impression of borat – Ollie
I can make balloon animals…oh wait, that is actually pretty useful at a party – Nic
I can roll my belly, it’s a weird one so I don’t exactly shout about it. I’m also better at guitar hero than actual guitar so pass me that plastic axe! – Joe
What was the most fun you have had on stage?
Playing a packed Montys in Dunfermline was good fun when we supported DMS, which was an amazing experience for a first gig as SFT! Or playing at King Tuts Wah Wah in Glasgow was fantastic as well because it’s such an iconic venue.
What was the worst experience on stage?
We were about to play our second song in our set and Joe’s guitar cut out, thought it was the amp and changed everything over, realised it was a cable issue, moved around the stage and tripped over a different band’s keyboard stand nearly breaking two of Nics guitars in doing so. A few songs later one of Nic’s guitar leads randomly cut out mid-song as well, although he managed to swap it out a second before his solo kicked in, an epic save, but what felt like a cursed gig.
Tell us something about each member that you think people would be surprised about?
Ollie has a phobia of bananas and had to leave the room when Nic opened up a banana flavoured yoghurt in front of him.
Nic’s main instrument throughout high school was clarinet.
Joe’s main instrument throughout high school was also a clarinet!
Sean – I once used a donut as a spoon to eat a chocolate trifle. Absolutely zero regrets.
If you had to describe your band/music to an alien how would you describe it?
I would ask them did they not hear us on our intergalactic tour last year? (See ‘I Don’t Need You To Save Me’ music video). If not then I would say; powerful, fresh, energetic and relatable.
What makes you stand out as a band?
Having a unique signature sound and Joe’s distinctive voice. It allows us to dip into many genres but still sound like ‘Stay For Tomorrow’.
Right now, what’s pissing you off the most? (Can’t say the virus)
We’ve been in lockdown/had restrictions for almost 2 years and yet some crowds are still solely interested in bands only playing covers, which is absolutely fine! But then to hear that local and grassroots music is dying… It isn’t dying, it just needs more support – Sean and Ollie
My ears, one day I think my amp and guitar settings sound brilliant…the next day I think it’s the worst sound in the world. – Nic
What’s your favourite song to play live and why?
Kings and Queens – we usually leave this song until the very end of our set and we have added so much to improve this track that it almost feels like a new song – Ollie.
Rumours – So far anyway! It’s fast tempoed, high energy and features heavier aspects of the Stay For Tomorrow repertoire – Sean
Non Applicable – it’s a fast, catchy song and seems to grab people’s attention, especially when the rap in the bridge comes around – seems to be a pleasant surprise to those who haven’t heard it before. – Joe
I hear you have a new single, what can you tell us about it?
Prison Living is a powerful, captivating, alt rock song that talks about the entrapment of a relationship.
We dive deeper into talking about the struggles of a relationship rather than just the feelings of heartache that the aftermath brings. It’s without a doubt our biggest song we have made to date.
Talk me through the thought process of the single?
The writing process of our songs has been pretty different for each one. One thing that’s common is re-working a core idea again and again until it becomes something entirely new all stitched together. Prison Living started off as a song Ollie brought to the rest of us. Ollie and Joe switched up the vocal melody and some of the lyrics and brought it to the rest of the band and got to work.
What was the recording process like?
We actually recorded this song quite a while ago. We always demo our tracks in house so all the ideas are in place and ready. We recorded the track with Mark Morrow Audio in Edinburgh right before the pandemic started. We had recorded with Mark and he made the process go nice and smoothly. We even had time to experiment with a few ideas we came up with on the fly that made it into the final version.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the single?
The original idea for the song used some pretty simple chords and progressions. Just because we could use that doesn’t mean we should – the lesson given from Nic to Ollie and Joe. From this, the whole band learnt just how important harmony truly is to melody and how often what makes a melody great, is the chords that accompany it.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
I honestly don’t think we’d change anything with this single apart from releasing it sooner!!
What are your plans for the year ahead?
Writing/recording/releasing more music, more gigs and building up our fanbase!
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Only our love and our music to the world. Be kind and stay strong everyone ✌🏻
Also join us over on https://www.twitch.tv/stayfortomorrow where we stream at least once a week. We play games, chat and generally just have a lot of fun. If that sounds like your sort of thing, give us a follow and jump in the chat, we can’t wait to hang out with you.