User:Tyronwhitt

FAILING FORWARD started up in January 2006 with huge dreams and bucketloads of enthusiasm, talent and energy. Now, two-and-a-half years down the track and a long list of member changes that sees only one founding member remaining, the Cape Town band finds itself occupying that niche in the South African rock scene which is reserved for bands that continue to deliver without ever backing down. “A hard work ethic, a refusal to call it quits and a live show that commands respect from the toughest crowds – it’s all beginning to pay off," says original guitarist and current frontman, Anton van der Merwe. "We do this because we love it. We make music that we would want to listen to and worry about what the market dictates later. If you’re passionate about what you do then that passion will infuse every aspect of your life and people will start to take notice.” And people are definitely taking notice! In the band's short career they have released a five track EP, two singles, toured Johannesburg and Pretoria, secured a much sought-after sponsorship from clothing label JAY JAYS and played at three of the country's largest rock festivals - Woodstock Festival in Johannesburg and Ramfest and Rocking the Daisies in Cape Town as well as the inaugural Zimfest. "Lyrically, we draw inspiration from living life by the Christian faith. Currently all the members in FAILING FORWARD are Christian but that has not always been the case. And that doesn't matter so much to us either. This band is not an exclusive club but we do place a high priority on clean living. Granted, we don't always get it right but we try and that philosophy is in direct opposition with a lot of the bands that are currently dominating the South African rock scene." FAILING FORWARD has been busy during 2008. Eight months part-time in the studio with engineer Tim Rankin of Bed on Bricks fame are about to produce fruit when the band releases its first full length album to date. “The album, entitled “Hunting Beasties” will contain all the tracks we’ve been performing to date plus an extra surprise or two. We’re incredibly happy with how it’s sounds! Tim really did some stellar work that brought the songs to life. We have a great concept for this album from the music through to the artwork, it’s going to be really special. The release date is set for early 2009.” A video of the title track is set to accompany the album release which was shot by director Ryan Kruger of Enigma Ace Productions. One thing is obvious, the current members of FAILING FORWARD are musically solid, passionate and devoted to creating and performing music that will enthrall and inspire the masses. What can we expect going into the future? “We’re already thinking of our second album, more videos. We want to take this band to heights we’ve never even dreamt of and do things that have never been done before. We believe we have the passion and the ability to make this one of the best bands our country has ever seen, we want the world to sit up and take notice, we want to make South Africans proud!”