Fortify take on the A-Z challenge!

Following the announcement of their new EP Valhalla (October 27), we asked Essex ‘easycore’ quintet Fortify to take on our A-Z challenge! Anna Louise and Jamie Smith take us on a journey through their world! A song that made you want to make music? We all have different music taste, so there is no real […]

Following the announcement of their new EP Valhalla (October 27), we asked Essex ‘easycore’ quintet Fortify to take on our A-Z challenge! Anna Louise and Jamie Smith take us on a journey through their world!

A song that made you want to make music?

We all have different music taste, so there is no real answer to this. We all have at least 2 songs that made us fall in love with making music.

Best rider you’ve ever had?

Free beer has always gone down well

Craziest thing you’ve experienced in the band?

Our EP preview show was mental, we had a limited amount of signed copies of the CD’s to sell, I think it was like 50, and they sold out within the first hour, about 2 hours before we were due to go on stage. The venue was absolutely packed, and the crowd response was out of this world during our set. The regulars were singing along to every song, it was intense, and extremely fun!

Deepest lyric one of your songs features?

And I will burn with everyone around me and they will learn to not harm the unworthy – Survivors

Or

And if you call me At 4 am I’ll be there No matter what Even if you are scared. I will comfort you; I will be there for you – Strangers

Easiest song you wrote?

Probably What About Us, it’s straight to the point and easy to understand what it’s about. Everyone can relate to the song no matter what age the listener is.

Favourite song in your set?

Strangers or Survivors, depending which member you ask.

Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?

Maria Brink – In This Moment

Hardest thing about being in a band?

Putting up with the drummer being a diva in rehearsals or coming to a full band decision on things quickly, mainly because of our work schedules clashing

Interesting fact about one of your members?

One of us has a third nipple…. Not telling you who, you have to guess….

Jokes you have in the band?

We call Billy Daddy and Charlie Mummy… for many reasons.

Key to writing a song?

Teamwork with an excessive amount of patience and understanding

Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?

I’m not really sure, I’d say between 20-30 miles

Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?

Forever Never, as they have had the experience and helped us a lot in many ways!

New band you’d recommend?

Locally – Walk In Coma or Different People; both bands we have played with regularly and they are both very talented bands but are also extremely down to earth guys.

Opening for this band would be ideal?

A Day To Remember

Place you’d most like to tour?

I think I speak for everyone in Fortify when I say we’d all love to tour America or Asia

Quote you’d like to pass on to our readers?

Fear has two meanings- either Forget Everything And Run or Face Everything
And Rise- the choice is only yours to make – JD
If you believe you can do it, you will. – Anna

Reason for the title of your recent/forthcoming release?

The title comes from a pedal called Valhalla, a guitar effects pedal which was used extensively through our recording of the Valhalla ep. We loved the sound of this pedal so much, that we started talking about how well it fits with the
songs that we’ve written and decided that it was the perfect title.

See us live at?

Our EP launch show on the 28th of October at the Hope and Anchor Islington

The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?

Strongly disagree, different yes, but I’d say equal, talent is talent, whichever way you look at it. – JD

Unusual merchandise?

It’s on it’s way, can’t say much more than that at the moment, you’ll just have to keep checking our Facebook page.

Variations you’d like to do of any of your songs?

There’s always a soft spot in everyone’s heart for a little alternative and/or acoustic version of our songs.

What do your fans mean to you?

Our fans have been extremely loyal from day one, again I speak on behalf of the whole band when I say, we will always make time for our fans, you all mean the absolute world to us, without their ongoing support, we wouldn’t be able to turn our dreams into reality… and to share it with people who enjoy and love our music as much as we do, it
really makes it all worthwhile!

Xrays or any other treatments needed for band related injuries?

Not yet but a few members are clumsy… so you never know what could happen lol

You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?

Anna… she’s always late somehow, who knows why? She doesn’t even know why half the time.

Zoo animal that best describes the personality of your band?

Anna – can a dragon be an animal? In all seriousness, a fox as she’s small, kind of cute but has an attitude.
Kieran – big fluffy dog, he’s man’s best friend, but when the time comes to it he bites back.
Charlie – owl, he’s wise and clever but very mysterious.
Billy – panda bear, he’s cute and cuddly but very dangerous…
JD – panther, he’s quick, smart and skilled

Elizabeth Birt

August 17, 2017

Band management assistant. Goth princess and lover of all things music and sport.

@lbirt1993

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