When thinking about which artist he likes touring with the most Beau Bokan, vocalist for five-piece alternative band Blessthefall, commented: “It’s funny because oddly enough my favourite band to tour with is August Burns Red [after winding up the Fire and Ice US tour, Blessthefall will be hitting Australian shores with metalcore band August Burns Red] and we are so stoked to hang out with those guys, they’re like brothers so it’s going to be a blast.”
With a heavier vocal emphasis by bassist Jared Warth on 2011’s album Awakening, compared to Blessthefall’s previous album Witness, the band are simply embracing an organic maturity in the music production process. “You know what, we just do what we do best, and Jared is an amazing bass player as well as an amazing vocalist so we want to make sure we showcase his talents as well. He’s just become even better since our last record and so [using his vocals] was just a thing that kind of happened naturally.”
Despite the increase in screams and growls in the latest album, Blessthefall are aware of their post-hardcore vocal balance and do not intend on changing style to be a heavier band than they are currently known. “I think a couple of songs on the record aren’t necessarily heavy in the conventional sense; there’s a couple of songs where there is no screaming whatsoever, so I think if we do a great job at balancing both, we’ll continue to do that.”
The upcoming tour will be Blessthefall’s third trip down under, and after touring Australia with Story Of The Year and Saosin in 2010, the band is looking forward to reconnecting with their fanbase, which grew in numbers when they were here for Soundwave Festival 2011. “Just meeting those kids,” is something Beau is really looking forward to, “and playing in front of a different crowd as well ’cause I know August Burns Red will have all their fans [so we’ll] hopefully get to showcase our music in front of their fans [which] is going to be awesome.”
When discussing fixed concert setlists and the process of determining tracks that make the cut, Blessthefall tend to recognise the tracks that fuel the crowd the most and which are most interactive with the audience. They ask themselves: “Are we going to be able to have fun with it? Are we going to be able to rock out?” A logical thought process for a successful show as it appears.
Members of Blessthefall have embraced the use of social media and use Twitter accounts on a daily basis. This medium of modern technology has allowed the band to communicate directly with fans and receive feedback from the people that love their music. Fans become infatuated by the interaction between band members on Twitter as well.
Beau acknowledges the pitfalls of that direct link with the public (as Twitter users can ‘follow’ whomever they choose): “You’re under a microscope and they’re waiting for you to make any kind of mistake where they can voice their opinion and you know having those public forums, man, you got to be prepared for that.” Overall, Blessthefall have taken an optimistic outlook on social media. The band has embraced the immense level of positive feedback using the opportunity to respond to their fans and strengthening their relationship with them.
In addition to social media the internet has been an integral medium to the promotion of Blessthefall and is recognised as a source of their success. “I’ve seen the internet grow into what it is now ’cause at first it was like, wow this is cool. It’s way better than the local newspaper but there was no way of kids finding out about shows and now it’s all on the internet. When are the shows coming? Check Twitter and Facebook and the websites. It’s a great tool we wouldn’t be the same without it.” This ideally contributes to the band members’ regular personal social media use.
After the Australasian leg of the international Blessthefall tour, the band will take some well-deserved time off. “Yeah we’re going to take a bit of a break when we get back from Australia. I think we have like a month and a half off and then I’m getting married. After that we’re going to Warped Tour [USA]”. After congratulating Beau on his upcoming wedding with Lights, alternative Canadian musician; I expressed envy towards Warped Tour but I was later convinced that after experiencing the calibre of Soundwave, there is no reason to feel deprived. “Soundwave was a crazy experience man. We’ve never played a festival like that, a travelling festival with that many people watching us every single night. It was amazing man.”
Blessthefall tour with August Burns Red throughout April (dates below). Awakening is out now on Shock.
AUGUST BURNS RED & BLESSTHEFALL AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2012
WEDNESDAY 18 APRIL – THE HI-FI, BRISBANE (18+)
With The Construct
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THURSDAY 19 APRIL – PANTHERS, NEWCASTLE (Lic/AA)
With The Storm Picturesque
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FRIDAY 20 APRIL – THE METRO, SYDNEY (Lic/AA)
With Shinto Katana
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SATURDAY 21 APRIL – BILLBOARD THE VENUE, MELBOURNE (U18)
With Glorified!
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SUNDAY 22 APRIL – BILLBOARD THE VENUE, MELBOURNE (18+)
With Feed Her To The Sharks
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TUESDAY 24 APRIL – FOWLERS, ADELAIDE (Lic/AA)
With Far West Battlefront
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WEDNESDAY 25 APRIL – AMPLIFIER, PERTH (18+)
With In League
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