Tors FAULT Magazine Cover and Interview
Embarking on their musical journey in the serene Catskill Mountains, indie trio Tors ventured into the heart of Woodstock to craft their latest EP, ‘Miracle. We caught up with Tors to get into their creative process, the stories behind their poignant tracks, and the unwavering passion that drives them forward amidst the highs and lows of the music industry.
Could you share some insights into your creative process while recording the EP in Woodstock?
As soon as we arrived in the Catskill Mountains, we were met by the legendary producer Simone Felice (The Lumineers, Noah Kahan), with a hunting knife strapped to his hip and a beard Gandalf would be jealous of. He led us down to the creek by the studio for our very first baptism in the form of a brief skinny dip while we discussed our mission statement. From that moment onwards, it was a haze of late-night recording sessions, Modelos, laughter, and cutting every song down to its base, inner meaning, and staying as true to that as we could. It was an incredible, heady experience, and we honestly feel like we finally sound the way we always did in our heads.
“Still Life” is described as a song about realizing a relationship is stuck on autopilot. Can you delve into the inspiration behind this track?
Of course, the whole song is hinged on the idea of a relationship stagnating to the point it eventually becomes like an unchanging painting hanging on the wall, gathering dust. It’s a call to action to break free of the routine and remember what it is about each other you loved so much in the first place.
Your upcoming UK, North American, and European tours have seen immense demand – do you find your songs take on new meaning when performing live as opposed to a studio setting?
We’ve often said our true home is on the stage. While working on songs in the studio is such a magical experience, there’s no feeling in the world that can match a room full of people yelling the words back at you. Last year we did 7 tours in total, and this year we’re looking to beat that number.
What’s the best story you have from your recent European tour?
There’s a story we can’t honestly put into print involving a castle, three French women, and midnight eggs, but aside from that, it was probably our night in Zurich. We were onstage in front of 12,000 people who all had their phone torches on while we played with just one acoustic guitar and our three voices, the way we do when we write. It was such a surreal and visceral moment; myself (Theo) and our drummer Jack just looked at one another and couldn’t stop laughing.
In “Heavy Hearts,” there’s a raw vulnerability in pleading for forgiveness – do you ever feel emotionally fatigued from pouring so much into your music?
It can be draining while writing the song as well as cathartic. We put an awful lot of ourselves and our real lives into our music, but hearing how much those songs have helped our fans and sharing in their stories of heartbreak etc. makes it all worthwhile.
What’s been the most challenging musical hurdle you’ve had to overcome?
Not giving up. We’ve been a band for nearly 10 years now, and that has honestly been the main challenge, just keeping going no matter what, whether we’re playing to a room full of 1000 people or only 10. We know we have to keep our eyes on the ground and run.
In an industry often marked by highs and lows, what sustains your passion and drive to create music that resonates with authenticity and sincerity?
Our fans, they’ve come to our rescue every time we’ve doubted ourselves or grown bitter with the industry. They’ve reminded us why we do what we do, and they mean everything to us.
What do you hope listeners take away from this new release?
That we’ve put our hearts and souls into this collection of songs, and we just hope they resonate with our fans and mean as much to them as they do to us.
What is your FAULT?
That we never think we’re actually good enough.