INTERVIEW: Thousand Thoughts

Since their beginnings, THOUSAND THOUGHTS have been claiming the spotlight at a neck-breaking speed. Their stance towards mental health is one of the endearing things about the band, and are out to set out to make the topic more comfortable to talk about. After only a handful of shows they were signed to Marshall Records and have now released their self-titled debut EP. These early successes are set to be the first of many, so we caught up with them to chat about their ideas, influences and more!

First thing first, how are you doing?

TT: We’re doing good thank you, really enjoying watching new fans engaging with the EP and new video!

You’ve just released your self-titled debut EP, how are you guys feeling about finally getting it out there?
TT: It feels so awesome to finally have it out there for everyone to listen to – giving a taster of what more there is to come – as it seems so long since the recording session.

As a band, you’re very solid on raising awareness of the struggles regarding mental health issues. In general, what do you think should be happening more to help people who are battling mental illnesses?

TT: Music is one of the biggest and best ways to emotionally connect. We live in a generation where mental health is being spoken about a lot more – however a lot of people aren’t comfortable with talking about this as a common illness. As a band, we feel like the least we can do is try to make this issue more comfortable for people to speak about.

There’s a lot of talk at the moment about support for people in the music industry in regards to mental health. From a personal perspective, if you felt your mental health was declining because of the industry, what support would you like to see in the event of you ever needing it?

TT: Despite the music itself being great therapy, the best support network for mental health in the industry there could be – which we have actually started seeing – would be coaching. These coaches would teach artists, labels, management companies (etc.) about mental health, to give everyone a better understanding, as well as also giving one-to-one sessions to anyone in the industry who struggles. It also helps the ones who don’t have an understanding, to be able to eventually give their peers the correct support.

Did the name change from Elswhere to THOUSAND THOUGHTS have a significant meaning for you in terms of your support for mental health awareness?

TT: The name change was an unavoidable obstacle, but THOUSAND THOUGHTS does have a significant meaning towards everything we are about – not just as a band, but in our everyday lives.

You’ve been penned down as being for fans of titans LINKIN PARK, a band that did not shy from being open about mental health. Were they influences for you in not just your sound, but your lyrical content?

TT: They are an important influence when it comes to creating heartfelt melodies and lyrical honesty, alongside bands such as AVENGED SEVENFOLD & BRING ME THE HORIZON.

You guys were scouted out by Marshall Records before the release of this EP, what was that like for you having a huge company recognise your talent so early on?

TT: It was honestly crazy. We’d only been a band for 7 months, it was about our 8th show. It was honestly the coolest news we had ever received.

You worked with producer Romesh Dodangoda on the EP. Romesh has worked with the likes of MOTÖRHEAD, BRING ME THE HORIZON, FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND, and more iconic names. What was it like working with him and knowing the influence he has had on so many albums that have become staples in bands catalogues?

TT: When we received the first mix of Perspectives – which was the first song of ours he’d worked on – we were all overjoyed. He understood our vision straight away, and it really boosted our confidence as a band – pushing us to work even harder. And to top it off, he really is such an awesome guy!

With the release out of the way and a couple of dates lined up, what is the next step for you guys?

TT: The next step is heading back into the studio to record more songs! Who knows, we could end up with an album…

Is there anything you would like to say to the readers of Distorted Sound?

TT: You can find us on all the social medias, we have some exciting shows lined up! Also, if you suffer or know someone who suffers from a mental health issue, then please know you are not alone and there is a light at the end of even the darkest tunnel.

Like THOUSAND THOUGHTS on their official page on Facebook.