UK Metalcore band Borders are set to release their upcoming album entitled Blooming Season on November 18th. The band’s guitarist Gavin Burton took the time to talk with Metal Express Radio about the band’s upcoming album, working with Elijah Witt of Cane Hill, his hopes to tour with Limp Bizkit, and more. Check out the chat below!
Metal Express Radio: The band’s second album entitled Bloom Season is set to be released November 18th via Arising Empire, what can you tell fans about the upcoming release?
Burton: Well what I can say about Bloom Season is that it is by far the most honest record we’ve ever made. No topic was off limits and we didn’t hide behind any smoke or mirrors. It’s a raw and honest account of the dark times we’ve experienced since Purify and it’s the soundtrack of our personal lives over the last few years.
MER: How was the writing and recording process being the band’s second album?
Burton: Obviously based on what the world has been through over the past few years – we had to switch up how we created music together. However you might think that means we were more isolated in our creation process than before, but actually this album brought us together like never before. We’d book out cabins and spend a week there every few months, going through ideas, recording demos. We didn’t have loads of time together, but it made those writing sessions even more magical because we’d been kept apart so long and it really elevated the tracks. We’d then sit on Audiomovers with our producer and our manager, it was truly a team effort to push the songs to new heights. The full team just GOT IT, the vision we had was never compromised by anyone and the end result is absolutely the best music we’ve ever produced.
MER: How would you compare Bloom Season to the band’s first album Purify?
Burton: I think the main difference (aside from veering much further towards the grime / rap side of our sound) is just that we weren’t making this for anyone else. Having fans appreciate the songs is great, but I think with Purify we were scared of deviating too far from what we’d done before because of the risk involved. With Bloom Season there were no restraints, no limits. It’s an eclectic bunch of songs, all with their own identity. That said, the biggest difference is that we weren’t scared to make the music we wanted to make.
MER: The band has released four singles from the album, what kind of feedback have you received?
Burton: Over lockdown it was really easy to be forgotten because you weren’t constantly in peoples’ faces while live and playing shows, and maybe it’s a bit of imposter syndrome to think this way, but when touring Purify we were able to move the needle a bit, but we weren’t sure if it would last when everything came to a halt. So to be away for so long and then be greeted back with such love and support from our fans, friends, family and such – it cemented in my mind at least, that this is where we should be. No imposter syndrome. We’ve earned this.
MER: How was it working with Elijah Witt of Cane Hill on the song “GODLESS?”
Burton: Witt was a dream to work with! It was a connection made through our manager and our producer, who also produces Cane Hill. Having Jon (an absolute hunk of a man by the way) being our middle man made things so easy, it’s like we’d been friends for years. Witt made us feel like equals and maybe it’s due to Jon’s influence, but it really felt more like we were a collective unit rather than him just hopping in for a feature. Plus, have you heard GODLESS?? He absolutely nailed it. Absolute monster. Thanks Witt!
MER: What do you see as plans for the band after the album release?
Burton: Immediately after release I think we’re just hoping to ride the wave and enjoy the moments as they happen so they don’t pass us by. I’m not much of a planner myself so I try to not look too far ahead otherwise I’ll miss the things happening now. That said, my plan is to embrace the moments we get to experience from the release. Time is cruel and life is short, so we will just enjoy the fruits of our labour. 2023 though, that’s when things get interesting.
MER: Is there anyone that you hope to tour with and why?
Burton: For me personally? Limp Bizkit. They’re kings of the game, they did music that THEY wanted to make, and have sustained a career from it, even with huge amounts of hate going their way. They never buckled, never conformed. They did what they wanted, and continue to do so even till today. That’s inspiring, not just in music, but also in life. Do what makes you happy. That’s why I chose them.
MER: What have been some of your favorite releases of 2022?
Burton: I love all genres and styles of music, I truly see it as art, so I love experiencing new sounds and ideas, which makes my music taste really strange haha. But the two albums this year that have really blown me away are The 1975’s Being Funny In A Foreign Language which is like walking through an 80s synth wave of magic. And then Boston Manor’s release Datura really tickled my fancy also, a band I’ve seen many times – this album is such a step forward, and a release that I truly believe will elevate them to the next level.
MER: How would you describe the Metal scene in the UK?
Burton: The scene has lost so many bands during COVID, it’s sad to think about really. HOWEVER, I feel like the bands that are left around our level (I’m talking Invisions, TheCityIsOurs, or even Dream State, who just came back), It’s like we all have bonded and banded together like never before. Everyone knows how rubbish the world was when we couldn’t do this, so everyone is so appreciative, and no one takes it for granted anymore. So the scene may be smaller, but we’re rebuilding it, and it’s going to be stronger than ever.
MER: What are your hopes for the band’s future?
Burton: Take every day as it comes. We have pipe dreams and goals, sure, but we’re at a point where we are so humbled to have even reached the place we’re at NOW. I think that’s always an issue in life, always fighting the next battle before you celebrate the win right now. We’ll be doing this as long as we’re happy and healthy, hopefully that means playing everywhere that we can, meeting as many fans as possible.
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