Long live FTTW

What can we expect from the new EP, "Live Long"?
Bit of a different vibe to our previous stuff. We focused a lot more on the production this time round and I think it shows.

What was the recording process like?

Best ever! We recorded with a new producer (Jacques du Plessis) at his studio The Audio Cabin in Joburg. It was amazing to work on the stuff with Jacques and have his input, plus the environment he has going on there is awesome and allows you to just focus on being creative all day long without thinking of anything else.

Why the title?

Don't you watch Star Trek? We knew it was gonna be a two-part EP so we were trying to come up with names that were a cool phrase to say together, but also held their own by themselves.

Your music video for the first track, Long Gone, is beautiful. How was it working with Louis Minaar?

Louis is a champion! He is definitely the most professional and dedicated director we've worked with. His ideas are insane. We'll definitely do it again and again.

Why the decision to release it as a two-part EP instead of one full album?

We get to have two releases instead of one and with that comes twice the promotion/shows/recording/good times, so it's an all-round win. Plus we won't be bored of the songs after a year cos we'll be constantly writing for the next release!

You guys have had a lot of your music feature in television adverts. What do you think it is that makes your music so appealing to the advertising world?

I think it's because it's feel-good music that's easy to listen to and portrays a certain vibe to the listener. We didn't set out to make tunes like that, but that's how they came out. Who knew they'd be good for selling iPods and make-up and cellphone contracts? Not us, that's for sure.

If FTTW was characterised by an animal, what would it be and why?

Howler monkey. They look like they like to party. Or a Bonobo chimp. Have you seen those guys? Crazy close to humans. Look 'em up.

Best and worst things about being musicians in SA?

Best thing is seeing our beautiful country and all the little nooks and crannies you wouldn't normally see. Also just meeting great people along the way and other bands that share a common mindset is fantastic. Worst? Well there's loads of things I could go on and on about, but it all boils down to the general public being extremely apathetic towards local music and rock music in general. Look, there are definitely people out there willing to go the extra mile to support local, but in reality our market is miniscule and we really can't expect to be operating on the level of the States or the UK when there just aren't enough people that are into rock/alt/indie etc. in this country to support a proper scene.

If you weren't in a band what do you think you would be doing?

I also run a design company called Milkbox, so I guess I'd still do that.

Future plans?

We're putting out another two videos and singles off the "Live Long" EP with some support shows along the way - and then it's back into the studio to record the second part, "Prosper".

www.firethroughthewindow.com

Photography by Kevin Goss-Ross