Interview: Kenneth Nixon Paints the Picture of Framing Hanley

If you don't listen closely, it might be easy to dismiss the band Framing Hanley as just another pop friendly Emo group. Framing Hanley however pack a little more of a punch and temper their melodic sound with more than just a dose of serious metal, hard rock and thoughtful, personal lyrics The band hails from Nashville Tennessee and they are currently on the road supporting their debut disc "The Moment". After being woken up by the sound of my phone call (again, sorry Kenneth), frontman Kenneth Nixon was able to chat with me about his young up and coming band, the significance of their name and the music scene in Nashville.

Associated Content: How long has Framing Hanley been together?

Kenneth Nixon: We have been together with this lineup since January of 2007

AC: The band is based in Nashville Tennessee. Tell me about the local music scene there. What kind of scene is happening in Nashville with regards to the local rock scene?

KN: The local rock scene in Nashville is great and now really starting to get the recognition it deserves. The rock scene is just as relevant as the country scene is. Bands like Paramore and the King's of Leon have come out of Nashville and are now on the national scene. I was fortunate to see both of these bands and watch them put the local scene on the map...the bands in the local scene are pretty close knit...it is like a big group of friends. We have tried to help bands out while on this tour. The local radio stations have also helped with promoting the scene and spinning us and other local bands.

AC: The sound of Framing Hanley is very reminiscent of a lot of young bands out now who have been tagged as "Emo". What do you think is unique about your band? What makes Framing Hanley stand out?

KN: We always get asked to describe our music and I always say, we just play kick ass rock and roll. Every song on this disc really means something personal to us. There is no filler whatsoever on this cd...the songs on this disc really matter to us and it shows.

AC: It seems like nowadays young bands are less interested in getting a hit single or getting on MTV, and more interested in getting fans to their My Space or Facebook page. How has the internet helped the band?

KN: I won't say that the internet is more important than MTV or the radio but the internet is just as important is MTV and the radio. I mean people all over the country are able to find you and hear your music. My Space and Facebook have been a huge help to us. We started out with 4000 friends on My Space and now we are up to 46,000! These are folks who are listening to our songs, so it's been a big help to us.

AC: Your debut disc is dedicated to Ashley Helen Hanley. Who is Ashley and how is she affiliated with the band?

KN: Ashley was someone very special to us and she was very close to the band...she was a friend of the band and a huge supporter of the group...she did a lot of the photography for the band and that's where the name came from...she was a very special person to us and she was killed in a car accident.

AC: I am truly sorry. Are you in touch with her parents and if so are they supportive of your band's use of her name?

KN: We are still in touch with her parents, her mom comes to our shows and both her parents are also very supportive of the band.

AC: One of the songs on the disc is the tune Lollipop by Lil' Wayne. What made you decided to record this tune?

KN: The song was huge all summer long! You couldn't go anywhere without hearing it. I always talked about covering it in rehearsals. We started playing it live and the next thing I know people at the record company wanted us to record it.

AC: Do you know if Lil' Wayne has heard it and if so does he like it?

KN: I have no idea if he has heard it...I assume he has...I hope he likes it...I'm a big fan of his!

AC: You all are on tour now. When does it end and what's the next step for the band?

KN: This tour with Theory of a Dead Man ends the 1st week in December. In January we will be back on the road headlining our own shows. We will also begin writing songs for our second disc.

Do what you can to check out the latest young rock act from Nashville and grab a copy of "The Moment" by Framing Hanley.