THE FRONT ROW

Black Foxxes have carved a name for themselves in the alt-rock scene with their raw, emotive sound and fearless approach to storytelling. Formed in 2013, the band quickly gained a loyal following with their debut EP Pines, and then their debut album I’m Not Well in 2016, a record that channelled vulnerability and power in equal measure. Since then, they have continued to evolve, showcasing their ability to push boundaries while staying true to their roots. In 2020, a major line-up change brought fresh energy and perspectives to their music; after a few years of working together, the band have culminated in their most ambitious record yet, The Haar, set for release in March 2025.

Ahead of their highly anticipated February 2025 tour, we caught up with frontman Mark Holley to discuss the band’s evolution, the making of The Haar, and what fans can expect from their upcoming live shows.

Your February tour is just around the corner. What excites you most about hitting the road again?


So so much. Touring is my favourite part of being in a band. Personally for me I am the healthiest I’ve ever been in my life, and living with a chronic illness that can be rare to say. So getting to see new countries, new cultures, new food, hear new languages, I just love all of it. We have been so so surprised at the love this band has received in the most unlikely of places when we tour in Europe. So even though it can be fucking tough at times (we do absolutely everything ourselves, full DIY), it is so so rewarding.

How have you prepared for this tour, and can fans expect any surprises in the setlist?


Currently zero preparation haha. We aren’t a rehearse every week type of band. The music we play and the energy we create in a live environment is all 100% real, raw and reactionary. If we over practice we lose love of the songs and every thing becomes stale. Nervous energy is very important. That being said fans can expect a couple old hits that we haven’t played in literal years! Fun.

Are there any specific venues or cities you’re particularly looking forward to playing on this tour?


Paris is always super special for us as a band. One of my favourite cities in the world, and we played a ridiculously packed room last time we were there. So mega excited about that. Also Prague and Denmark, Denmark has the best pastries on the planet, and Prague has incredible beer and it’s silly cheap. Also good pastries. What’s not to love.

How does The Haar differ from your previous releases, both thematically and musically?


Musically all of our records are going to be night and day different. The more I grow as a song writer and the more I travel, experience new things in life is going to bleed into my music as my tastes change. I’ll never understand how a lot of bands just recycle the same sound for every new album. Funnily enough, a lot of fans would wish we did this. There’s so many fans from the I’m Not Well days that don’t understand or “get” our new sound. But it’s 100% honest to ourselves, we would be doing everyone a disservice if we forced ourselves to write something that sounded the same as stuff that came before.
This record is simmering, it’s meandering and it’s romantic in sound and theme.

Could you share any memorable moments from the recording process?


I think just having the vision early on that I wanted to record a big chunk of this record off the West coast of Scotland where I’d spent a long period of time writing the tracks, and it becoming a reality was a really cool thing. Being in a band at this level is brutally hard at times. Financially, mentally and honestly physically. Trying to get things over the line is a never ending battle, and I’m so fucking proud of myself honestly that I have believed in this enough to follow through with my visions and not let fear or anxiety get in the way and derail the plan. I’m also blessed to have the guys in the band that back and believe in this silly ideas as well. Without that nothing happens! In terms of actual moments I think our time with Dani Castelar (producer) was so special. He felt like a brother and I was so inspired around him every single day. The guys made some of the best sounding records of the past 10 years, he truly has. So it was all special with that guy. He has to be involved in Album 5.

How would you describe the current dynamic within the band compared to when you first started?

Current dynamic is tough as we’re now back to a 3 piece. Our bass player left at the start of last year. An understandable and inevitable thing in this climate of trying to navigate being a musician with goals and dreams and also dealing with real life. It happens. But the dynamic with the three of us is great. The music I’m writing is weird and twisted and the guys are absolutely vibing it and excited for the band to tour weird places and create weird art. That’s a win for me.

Since the lineup change in 2020, how has the creative process evolved?


Since Finn joined way back when the process has always been the same tbh. We have a huge amount of respect for each others tastes and ideas so songwriting just becomes so effortless. With the addition of Sam on Sax,Piano,Flute,and the spoons we can just finally create sounds we always heard in our head. He has the most incredible ear for what the song needs. He really is our musical prodigy haha, we are nothing without him.


For fans who have been with you since Pines & I’m Not Well, what do you hope they take away from this new chapter of Black Foxxes?

I hope they hate it.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?


Tough one. Damon Albarn would be amazing. Neil Young. PJ Harvey. David Bowie. I’m not really someone that has idols or anything like that. But those people would be super special to learn off.

Mark, your lyrics are often deeply personal. Where do you find the courage to be so vulnerable in your songwriting?


I think it just marries up to the music. All songwriting is energy, and without sounding too wanky here, all live shows are movement and all good songs are the flow between melody, lyrics, and mood. Every now and again you reach that ethereal place and line up all three and you hit that sweet fucking magic. Pure flow state. But the only way to get there is totally letting yourself go, so I don’t even think of it as being vulnerable, I just see it as being as true to the song as possible. All songs start out at different sound waves, and have different energy and I just try and sing about what the song is trying to tell me. If people connect, and can relate to the lyrics, then even better ya know. That’s what it’s all about.

What do you do outside of music to stay inspired and creative?


So I’ve actually spent the last few years traveling the world doing a thing called workawy. Which is essentially a bit of work for a family, or whoever in return for food and board. But I’ve always seeked out the wildest and most remote/quirkiest places I can get to. I managed to get a 2 year working VISA for Canada so I’ve spent this year traveling all over North America. I’m currently in the Yukon in the north, living off grid and it’s currently -34 degrees CELSIUS! The thing I love about these experiences is that everyone has a guitar, or knows someone with a guitar and I’ve got pretty fucking handy at recording just using my laptop mic. So so much of The Haar and future releases has been written and recorded during these travels. I just find I need to stay on the move for my soul.


ase of The Haar, it’s clear the band is entering an exciting new chapter. Their evolution is a testament to their resilience, creativity, and connection with their fans.

Be sure to pre-order The Haar and secure your tickets for the tour—you won’t want to miss the raw energy and emotion that Black Foxxes bring to the stage. Stay tuned for more updates and exclusive content from one of alt-rock’s most compelling acts!