All Axess Exclusive: Interview With AMPED Artist, This Burning City

Since forming in Gananoque, Canada in 2012 as a high school garage band, this week’s All Axess AMPED Artist Of The Week, This Burning City has evolved to become one of the fastest rising and most promising bands on the local scene. Now, with their debut EP about to be released, tours in the works and several shows already booked in, 2015 is promising to be the biggest year in the young band’s career so far.

We recently caught up with This Burning City bassist Nick Deslandes to get the lowdown on how the band began, where they plan on ending up and everything in between. Check it out below.

 

When, where and how did your band form?

This Burning City formed in 2012 coming from the small town of Gananoque. Back then, the band kind of came together  less as something serious, but more of a “Let’s get together and jam” kind of thing. So a bunch of kids that went to school together all their lives decided to piece together this hardcore band and we’ve been going ever since. To this day we make loud noises in a smelly band shed.

How did you come up with the band name?

The band name was conceived initially as a name for a song. It was suggested by an ex-guitarist of ours as a band name and we decided to go with it. It’s kind of bounced back and forth in between love and hate but we’ve become so used to it that it doesn’t matter much any more. It’s about the music, and less so the title.

What are your major influences?

We take our influences from a lot of phenomenal artists. Namely our biggest influences are Dead And Divine(Now Ritual), The Chariot, Stray From The Path and Of Temples.

What are some of your career highlights to date?

I think our biggest highlight to date was having a chance to open for Ritual. Being one of our main influences, it was a truly amazing experience. We’ve had the chance to open for a lot of amazing acts and overall I think the whole road so far has been one big highlight. From the road trip to Ottawa to playing some wicked shows with locals. It doesn’t take much to keep us happy.

Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a main songwriter?

Our writing process is kind of messy, but it pieces itself together. Usually someone will come in with a riff or a structure idea, and we’ll  all feed off that until we’ve got something together. What’s nice is having the ability to have everyone contribute, and the fact that most of us are opinionated enough to throw their own twist on ideas. I think it might be what separates us from the common crowd. It allows for a lot more diversity.

Your new EP is coming out soon. When can we expect that to drop?

Hopefully within early 2015. We’re currently tracking guest vocals at the moment and then it’s being sent off to get mixed and mastered. We’re just fortunate enough to not be held down by a schedule or deadlines.

What are your plans for 2015?

2015 is already looking really busy. We’re thinking lots of shows, and definitely getting out on tour to support the new EP and get the name out there. Possibly bringing some friends along on tour and just having a blast.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for the interview, it’s always a pleasure. For those interested, check us out at www.ThisBurningCity.com or www.facebook.com/ThisBurningCity for new music, photos and tour dates!