Unsigned Spotlight: Born From Ashes
Born From Ashes are a five-piece Hardcore/Metal band from the surrounding areas of Northampton.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Keagan McGill - Vocals
Lewis Dalmedo - Guitar
Andy Humphries - Guitar
Ethan Ejdowksi - Bass
Alex Day - Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Born From Ashes? How long has the band been around?
Born From Ashes has been around since 2009. Originally it was Keagan, Lewis, Alex and our old bassist Tim. In late 2013, Ethan joined the band and then in early 2014, we wanted a second guitarist, so Andy also joined. Andy used to be in a Alt-Rock band called The High Jinks.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The band was originally called 'Wake The Ashes'. It then changed to Born From Ashes when we got a bit more serious and just recently we decided to plug it as 'BFA' as we thought it had a better ring to it. So we have our logo as BFA but a few things are still down as Born From Ashes.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
We all chip in when we're writing songs. I think the main process is either myself (Andy), Lewis or Ethan will have a riff of maybe even a start of a song, we'll show it to the rest of the guys and get opinions. Alex obviously writes drums and Keagan writes the majority of lyrics with some input from the rest of us. Our latest EP 'LIFELEARNER' has lyrics revolved around our band coming back to life again after a period of nothing. Some other lyrics are also based on our childhood, grandparents and war.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
We all love the same music but we mostly enjoy the heavier genres. Bands such as The Ghost Inside, Gideon, The Acacia Strain, Architects & Bring Me The Horizon influence us to write the material that we think best suits BFA. We all love different bands of different genres too, such as A Day To Remember, Neck Deep, Lower Than Atlantis, Deaf Havana and Charlie Simpson.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
I've always been in some kind of band since I was about 13, just jamming with friends. Foo Fighters played at the Milton Keynes Bowl in 2011. That show was unreal and made me realize how amazing playing music live to people really is!
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
There's no major preparation to be honest, we try and keep it simple. Consuming a few alcoholic beverages is all we need.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Present bands would be Gideon and The Ghost Inside just because they're some of our favorites and ridiculously heavy!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Make sure you check us out on tour soon with some of our favorite artists!