Interview: Ryan Belcher of Framing Hanley

If any band knows struggle it’s Framing Hanley. They have gone through a change of lineup and have released their latest album only with the help of the fans.

I was lucky enough to sit down with Ryan, their guitarist and ask him a few hard hitting questions. Check it out after the jump!

NC: So I’m just gonna ask this cliche question, what is the story behind the album name?

RB: It was a learning experience, it’s been a good 2 years in the making. We’ve written countless songs that we’ve torn apart and re-written and even re-recorded in different studios with different people. We went through the lineup change with the loss of Luke of course. We’ve got Jonathan Stoye who is an incredible bass player who is a really great guy to have around. I think the story of the making of the album and what it’s come to be the title really says it all its “The Sum of Who We Are” we all put everything that we have into this and like I said it’s been 2 – 2 1/2 years and there’s been a lot of parts that I think a lot of people would’ve bailed out and we all stuck together. It shows the dedication that the band and I have had for this album. It was kinda turning into our own tiny democracy for a little bit. We write about things that are really close to home, our past, and people around us.

NC: So was the loss of Luke a big loss, did you guys struggle any?

RB: It was kind of a tender time for the band because we felt like we were sorta at a stalemate with everything. Everything has just been one thing after another slowing us down. We did the Kickstarter and we went down to Alanta to record the album. We just had one sign after next. I think he just wanted to do something else with his life and we are more than understanding about it. It was definitely one of those wake up calls, it was a game changer. You see that and you really have to ask yourself where your priorities lie and I think in a lot of ways Luke deciding that this wasn’t for him made us a lot stronger as a band.

NC: Well I know how you came in and replaced Tim. A lot of people didn’t know there was another guitarist before. You came in and just molded into the band and made a big impact.

RB: I came in at a good time didn’t I?

NC: Haha yeah, do you think that’s how it’ll be with this new bass player?

RB: Absolutely I think it’s already happened, he’s got a different personality all it’s gonna do is change the dynamic in the band. I think that right now is the strongest format the band can have. He is the perfect addition. We’ve actually known for awhile, he played in a band called Adalene. They’re from Nashville, we played a few shows with them. Been buddies for a few years, they broke up right around the time that Luke was departing. It’s funny because we were holding tryouts for people and Stoye got in there and we jammed with him for a bit and we all felt good about it. We told everyone else don’t worry about it, we had him back for a second practice and we knew he was our guy.

NC: I think it’s good when bands struggle, it helps you grow. A lot of bands who don’t have to go through those things just don’t seem as mature as you guys do.

RB: We all have something to work for, I don’t wanna say you wouldn’t have a lot to be proud of but we know that we’ve put in every ounce blood, sweat, and tears that we have.

NC: With this album, it’s been long in the making do you guys plan on taking a break and just touring?

RB: I can never stop working on music, I’m constantly writing. We are already writing the next one. As soon as this album was done we were writing. It’s kind of my release, it helps me understand the world around. I think that the day we stop writing music is going to be a really grim day. I hope it doesn’t happen.

NC: Well this is a personal question for me, I see that you are going to be playing a show with Another Lost Year. They are a local band to me, the vocalist went to my high school. Have you listened to them any?

RB: I have looked them up but I have not had a chance to do my homework on them. I have seen that they are on a few of our shows.

NC: I’ve been wondering this for a little bit, who is the female guest vocalist on the song Rollercoaster?

RB: That is a girl named Lindsey Stamey in a band called “Oh No Fiasco”. They are from Tennessee, and they are extraordinarily talented. She’s a fantastic singer, a really great personality to be around, brightens up the room. We’ve known them for several years from playing shows. She was the first person on our minds when we thought about having someone as a guest vocalist on a track.

NC: I see you guys have a lot of pride in your state.

RB: Definitely man, the people that you see working hard around here it’s awesome.

NC: Have you guys found a record label yet?

RB: Actually yes, we have signed to a record label called “Imagen Records”, we’ve been on it for a few months. It’s been going really well, I think there is a good connection there. I think that the label really believes in the band. Can’t support something you can’t believe. Morgan Rose from the band “Sevendust” he’s like a big brother to us. Especially for Chris, he used to watch Morgan when he was younger. It’s awesome to have someone like Morgan to come in your corner and be like “Hey, here is my advice.” It’s a good feeling to have. We also have these guys “3 Years Hollow” they are on the same label as us.

Closing:

RB: You said this is your first interview?

NC: Yes it is.

RB: Well I’m honored

NC: On a personal note I am glad to see you guys are looking good now. I’d like to personally thank you for giving me the opportunity to interview.

RB: Well thank you for your time, feel free to text me or call me if you can make it out to the show I can get you and someone else in.

Ryan was a really cool guy and I enjoyed interviewing him. I was pretty psyched that my first interview was with a band I’ve been following for years and am a very big fan of. I look forward to interviewing them again in the future.

The bands new album is avaliable now!

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-sum-of-who-we-are/id834752088

Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/album/4fLZ72e5ib8dvCIsg1EL9Y