Last week Create To Inspire announced their decision to end the 6 year journey that had covered 2 brilliant EP's, tours across the UK and Europe alongside the likes of Skywalker and While She Sleeps, it gave them the honour to open at Download Festival, record with Red Bull Studios and sign to Basick Records for their debut album Sickness.
I was lost for words when I first heard the news, not only have I known the guys for a number of years but the article which I wrote on their debut album Sickness was one of the first I had written, and is still my most read post on this blog to this day. So, as a farewell of my own, I wanted to share my experiences with this band and the 5 humble humans that make up Create To Inspire.
Halfway Home
I first saw CTI play at the O2 Academy, Islington, as main support for London band Dirt and instantly felt that there was something different about the group. Embodying the heart and soul of hardcore punk with the consciousness of less aggressive genres, they stamped that impression into my memory for a long time to come. It was a simple and brief conversation that began the relationship that I would grow with the band.
It wasn't long after this outing that I saw the true compassion and heartwarming nature of Sean, Dan, Connor, Jack and Luke. I was, at the time, having some deep personal problems and the music created by CTI was helping a lot, not least for its therapeutic and cathartic nature but for its close comparison to the feelings I was struggling with. I made a public declaration for my condition and how I was feeling, and included a small clause regarding the EP and how it had helped me through. It was the compassion and helping hand I received from the guys that sparked the connection that grew over the years to come.
What may seem to most as a small gesture of kindness, meant the world to me. To feel that someone, let alone 5 people, cared enough to make even that little amount of effort was life-affirming, I may have not said this enough but I owe them a lot and am eternally grateful for the care and compassion which they've shown me, thank you.
Home Is Where My Heart Dies
I saw CTI live another time that year before I moved back to Sheffield, the city from whence I came. But it was here that the relationship with the guys grew, on their next venture north I put them up after their show, offering what little help and support I could to repay the favour somewhat.
Ever the hilarious bunch, we spent hours into the night discussing music, joking around and enjoying each others company. It may seem insignificant but it gave me great insight in to the band as people not just musicians. And not least a perspective on human relationships; in that, with an open and boundless heart not only can you bring anyone into your circle, make them feel welcome and wanted but you can also make anyone feel respected, loved and with no real reason. Venom towards others comes from venom in the heart.
With the release of their second EP, the guys moved quickly on to the recording and release of their debut album Sickness.
Sickness
I remember when I was first sent the album to listen to, I'd seen Create To Inspire at Sheffield's Mulberry Tavern and had been once again talking to the guys about their direction, what was coming next, what to expect and what to look out for.
I wasn't surprised when they told me they had signed to Basick Records, they were all great musicians so it had only ever seemed like a matter of time to me, but on listening to the album I couldn't help but feel it was actually the perfect representation of the guys as a band, the maelstrom of emotions that all of them had gone through to get to that stage, no group of guys was more deserving of that success and I still truly believe that now.
The album was expressive, unique, whilst maybe a little less assertive than their previous work lets say. But it worked, it was mature and musically brilliant, passionate without being unnecessarily heavy and a fantastic debut album. Most important of all, they attacked REAL issues head one and created not just an album but a cathartic system of support.
I'm not going to lie and say that I won't miss them but hopefully this will be the liberating experience that I'm sure they are all looking for.
And finally there's little left to say other than, thank you for everything that you have done across the years, both for me personally and for the countless others that your music has reached and helped through hard times. You are 5 of the greatest people I've had the honour of meeting and knowing and their are no others out there like you. You deserve every success that you've gained and the reputation that precedes you is one of respect and admiration.
Farewell my friends, I hope this tribute does some justice for what you've given me.
Thank you.
(Create To Inspire's farewell tour begins on July 24th 2018 with support from Lifetight. Catch them at one of the dates below)
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