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Foxhaunt Discuss Accomplishments, Favourites Songs and Musical Memories

We get quick & dirty with Ollie Swift from York band Foxhaunt and learn about musical memories, accomplishments, fave songs, and more…

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York-based alt-rock band Foxhaunt released their new EP, Division Culture, on April 7th, 2023. The follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2022 Mindset EP.

The new tracks were written and recorded with Robin Adams (Architects, Blood Youth) in Leeds over three months. Speaking about the inspiration behind the EP, vocalist Ollie Swift says:

“We wanted to write something about our take on social influences and how opinions, issues, and behaviours divide the world. I think especially off the back of the pandemic we felt like it made us reflect even more about how we act as human beings and the way we treat one another.”

We recently spoke to the York band’s vocalist for our Quick & Dirty series. However, before you learn about Ollie’s biggest accomplishments, childhood musical memories, and more, check out Foxhaunt’s single “Division Culture.”

What do you think is your greatest accomplishment?

Ollie Swift: “It has to be the persistence of being in a band and continuing to chase a dream. I’ve been doing it most of my adult life, and although there have been challenges along the way, I still love doing it. I think Foxhaunt has been definitely the best I’ve felt about music; whilst the other bands I’ve been in have been fun this just feels different and like we’re building a proper community.

What is one thing that you’re good at that people don’t expect?

“I would say, being a frontman. Without sounding cocky or arrogant, I do feel I’ve now got to the stage where I’m able to connect with people during live performances – that could just be down to confidence and practicing my craft day in, and day out. But also who I’m surrounded by Nick, Jamie, and Thom are all great lads, and they give me the boost that I need to feel like I can get up on stage and give it my all.

Foxhaunt ‘Division Culture’ EP Artwork

Foxhaunt ‘Division Culture’ EP ArtworkWhat will always be funny to you?

Alan Partridge. I grew up watching him, and I recently went to see him live at Leeds Arena. Timeless comedy, and I was in stitches for the whole show. I actually think Steve Coogan is the most underrated comedian to exist!”

Must-have non-musical item when you’re on tour?

“It has to be our phones. I know that’s a pretty lame choice, but the long road trips give us a chance to create playlists to listen to, record the memories we make and also keep in touch with friends, family, and partners. I & Nick usually do the journeys together and our tastes are pretty similar so usually, there’s a decent debate about who the best band in the world are… or football team but if we piss each other off then there’s always music which we can agree on!”

Top 3 songs of all time?

Exit Ten – ‘Technically Alive’ – The band who inspired me to start my own band. Linkin Park – ‘In The End’ – The band who inspired me to listen to more rock music. Don Broco – ‘Money, Power, Fame’ – Just an absolute banger.”

If you could hang out with a famous person (dead or alive) for one day, who would it be?

Chester Bennington. One of the biggest disappointments I have is not being able to see Linkin Park live with Chester I only started to properly appreciate them in my late teens but never got the opportunity to go and watch them.

“If I could spend the day with Chester, I’d do all I could to pick his brains on his vocal techniques and beg him to support Linkin Park on their upcoming tour haha. It was a moment I’ll never forget when the news broke of his passing, it’s one of those where you’ll always know where you were when you heard. RIP!”

What’s the best venue you have ever played, and why?

“Ah, so many to choose from! We did recently play an awesome venue in Bridlington called The Black Lion. It was like an old-school theatre with some church-style seats in there. The cool thing about being an independent band is the fact that you get so many opportunities to go to random places and experience their music scene firsthand.”

Favourite childhood musical memory?

“Listening to records on my Dad’s vinyl player. This thing was spinning most days and I think his love of Genesis, Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy also got me into the heavier forms of music. There were multiple beach trips too, where we’d wack a tape in and sing on the trip there – good times indeed and I’ll always hold those close.”

I have an unhealthy obsession with bad horror movies, the song Wanted Dead Or Alive and crap British game shows. I do this not because of the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll lifestyle it affords me but more because it gives me an excuse to listen to bands that sound like hippos mating.

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