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Formed in 2018, Stay For Tomorrow are an energetic four-piece alternative rock band emerging from Dunfermline, Scotland. Consisting of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Joe MacFarlane, lead guitarist Nic Holson, drummer Sean Priestley, and bassist Gabriel Almazan. For fans of Twin Atlantic, Biffy Clyro, and Foo Fighters, SFT look to create epic, fresh alt-rock songs with their own signature sound that will make you wish you discovered them sooner!
What are the origins of Stay For Tomorrow, how long have you been playing together?
The band formed in 2018! Joe (vocalist/rhythm guitarist) met Nic (lead guitarist) on a night out in Dunfermline after seeing him perform at an open-mic night. Together they looked to transform the acoustic songs into something more. Nic and Sean (drummer) worked together on previous musical projects and Sean layed down drums on some of the songs. Nic and Sean both showed interest in performing these songs with Joe and creating a band together. They reached out online for a bassist and became a four piece when Ollie joined the band. Due to personal circumstances Ollie left the band in 2023 and Gabriel joined! Our first gig was in Montys Rock Bar, Dunfermline in 2019.
What should people expect when they check Stay For Tomorrow?
A dynamic blend of alt/rock songs that carry something unique with our own signature ‘Stay For Tomorrow sound’ featuring lyrics that are relatable to many. We put on really high energy shows that deliver an unforgettable experience.
How would you describe Stay For Tomorrow?
An alt/rock band with something for everyone! Our music is inspired by a blend of our favourite bands and the genres we love. Through the natural flow of our writing process, we have created songs that lean towards the pop/punk, indie/rock, and hard/rock genres.
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?!
Really exciting! We played to a small, yet packed venue and it was great to let everyone hear what we had been working on for a year!
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
Our new single ‘Crushing Down’ is out now on all major streaming platforms!
Regarding a similar audience, which band at the minute do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
Massive Wagons, Inglorious, Mason Hill, She Burns Red, Those Damn Crows, Stone Broken.
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
Around 7!
What frustrates you about the music business?
The low amount of money paid to artists for streams!
What are your first musical memories? And what lightbulb moment made you say “I want to do that”?
All four of us grew up going to gigs and falling in love with seeing live music! It’s a creative outlet that has resonated with us very strongly! Some of us also studied music at university too!
Joe – my parents followed The Proclaimers around the UK and brought me along as we went to every show on their tour(s) so I went to loads of shows at a young age and I got to see rock bands like The Grim Northern Social and Playtone supporting them too. My first ever concert was Busted which was awesome to see my favourite band at the time live! Since then I’ve seen tons of my favourite bands like Paramore, Bring Me The Horizon, and Pierce The Veil play huge venues but also fell in love with the local music scene where I have seen on-the-rise artists like Retro Video Club and Vistas!
Nic – I remember my Mum sitting me in front of Queen video tapes and falling in love with the music video for ‘Breakthrough’. My Mum also had big black permed hair just like Brian May which was awesome!
I think Queen is ultimately what led me to want to want a guitar and to say the rest is history…well that’s not true. I strummed it twice and was sadly disappointed to find out that it didn’t sound like Brian May so the guitar lived in the cupboard for years.
Music has always been a huge part of my life. Growing up, radio 2 would always be playing in the house and I have such fond memories of listening to artists like Elvis, Marc Bolan & T-Rex, Alan Jackson, and Anastasia with my Dad on the way to football matches.
One of my fondest musical memories though, is the amazing summer I spent with Pop Filter from New York performing ‘Fauxchella Music Festival’ at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017. Getting to perform every night was a dream come true and I did it with the best bunch of people who have become lifelong friends.
Sean – I’m not entirely sure what my earliest musical memories are but I grew up in a house surrounded by music when I was a kid and when the film “School of Rock”, and the game “Guitar Hero” came out, I fell in love with the thought of being a musician!
As for that lightbulb moment, every time I go and see a band that I love perform live, I always get that feeling of “this is what I want to do”!
Gabe – Before I understood music as a writer and performer, I was in love with the music of Santana and Queen. My Dad would play their albums and greatest hits CD collections on repeat on car rides when I was a child.
In my early 20s, I dropped out of college because I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. The only thing I was certain about was that I loved writing music and performing with the band I was in at the time (comprised of one of my brothers and three of my best friends). This is when I realised that music was the only thing I could picture myself doing for the rest of my life.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Joe & Nic – Tenacious D (OVO Hydro, Glasgow)
Sean – Massive Wagons (PJ Molloys, Dunfermline)
Gabe – non-rock related: Dunedin Consort performing Vivaldi’s string music (University of Glasgow Memorial Chapel); rock related: Mr. Bungle (The Fonda Theater, Los Angeles)
What current social issues are you particularly passionate about?
Mental health awareness! Please reach out and talk if you’re struggling!
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Joe – Human by dodie
Nic – The Simpsons Sing The Blues
Sean – The Corrs Unplugged
Gabe – In Glorious Times by Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
Everybody is a fan of something, who or what are you a fan of?
Video games! Food.
What new music have you been enjoying so far this year?
Joe – Marianas Trench & Bring Me The Horizon
Nic – Drama by Marty Friedman
Sean – Architects and Bring Me The Horizon.
Gabe – Incubus’ Morning View XXIII (not exactly new, but it’s been getting a lot of plays from me since it’s re-release)
What does 2024 hold for Stay For Tomorrow?
Lots more music and another tour or two (watch this space!)
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
We are on all social media platforms including live-streaming games on tik-tok. You can find us by searching Stay For Tomorrow or you can get all the links you need on stayfortomorrow.com
