Meet FOARN, Stoke's Finest Indie Rockers
With a debut sold-out EP launched this month and having recently supported the Twang at Bet365 Stadium, Stoke-based rockers FOARN are going places…
FOARN formed in late 2023, with a line-up of Levi Knapper (vocals), Alex Grocock (guitar), Kieran Matthews (guitar), Nathan Petherick (bass), and Ash Clay (drums). They’ve spent the last year refining their craft, building a local following and recording their self-titled debut EP at WhiteWood Studios in Liverpool, which was released on 15/08. They played a sold out EP launch gig at the Back Yard the same day.
How did FOARN form and what are the band's main musical influences?
So Kie and Ash were writing together from the start of 2023 by themselves and with other musicians. Alex joined the fold around the middle of the year and then Nath and Levi joined in quick succession around October/November. Between the five of us, we have quite a broad music taste so our influences are usually different artists from week to week, but Kings of Leon are probably the most prominent influence to us.
In just six words, how would you describe FOARN's sound...
Passionate, melodic, nostalgic, energetic, indie-tinged rock.
Your EP launch gig on 15/08 August sold out. How does it feel to see the sold-out signs for one of your gigs?
Obviously, it’s great to see a sold out sign on the poster and we are so grateful we have the support that we do from everyone who is a fan and comes to our shows.
How long did it take to come up with the songs for the EP and what was the recording process like?
So, the tunes on our EP were the last five tracks that we wrote before we went into the studio, which supports our thinking that the more we write with each other and learn how we all work as musicians, the better our songwriting will get. We didn’t really think too much into it though, we just picked the tunes we thought worked well together and we all liked on a personal level!
How did the gig supporting the Twang at Stoke City's ground go? I am guessing if any of the band are Stoke supporters, it was that extra bit special?
We’re only just starting to come down from the high of that show! It’s such a cool stage to play on and The Twang were really good to us, couple that with a nice busy crowd and you’re onto a winner.
Is the live scene in Stoke & North Staffs in a healthy state at the moment? Are you seeing more or less opportunities to play gigs in grassroots venues than say a year ago?
Yeah, we feel like there is just as much talent in the Stoke/Staffs music scene now as there ever was, on top of this grassroots music venues and promoters are doing all they can to put on live shows regularly and it’s important for them to have people’s and band’s support. There are plenty of opportunities but we think it’s important to work hard for those opportunities; there are a lot of good people involved in this scene.
You are hosting your own one-day festival in Stoke at the Plume of Feathers in Barlaston on 31/08. Along with yourselves, which other five bands/artists would you invite along and why?
Oasis so we could put on another 14 nights and they’ll all be sold out. Mara Liddle because although her music is different to ours we are big fans. Kings of Leon so Al can get to stroke Caleb Followill’s beard. Plus SideEye, because they are a bundle of energy and they know how to have a drink up, and Darla Jade because she is class.
Do you have a message for readers of the Knot or anything else to add...
Well firstly good stuff for supporting the Knot and James, secondly thank you for taking the time to read this and be sure to check us out! We are working really hard behind the scenes and we could do with all the support we can get!
To keep up to date with what’s going on with Foarn, visit their website, Instagram and Facebook page
Do you want to nominate someone local to be profiled by The Knot? We’d love to hear from you! Email james@theknot.group with your suggestions