INTERVIEW: Broken Colours discuss origins and influences alongside new single ‘Brother’
After lighting up the summer with the infectious singles ‘Hey It’s Me’ and ‘Before The Sun’, High Wycombe’s own Broken Colours return with their heartfelt new single ‘Brother’. Known for marrying indie-rock energy with funk-tinged grooves, the band now leans into themes of unity, resilience, and the emotional bonds that hold us together through life’s harshest chapters.
Opening with stripped-back acoustic warmth and swelling into a soulful expression of solidarity, ‘Brother was written in honour of the band’s own journey and the transformative friendship between founding member Tony and guitarist Umar. In a time when connection feels more vital than ever, Broken Colours deliver a timely reminder that even in the darkest moments, no one has to face it alone.
Ahead of their forthcoming EP and a new year full of promise, we sat down with the band to reflect on their background and what has inspired them most over the years.
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What was the first rock song or artist that made an impact on you?
Tony: P.O.D. and Funeral For A Friend really fuelled my love for Rock music when I was in my early teens.
Umar: It’s no secret that 3 Doors Down was the first artist that had a huge impact on me, inspirationally. The very first song I heard by them was Kryptonite and it literally changed my life.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences within the rock genre?
T: Within the Rock Genre, if we’re talking like Rock n Roll, then Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash and Elvis, for example. If we’re talking like heavy Rock I’d say, 36 CrazyFists, Funeral For. Friend, POD. If Indie, then the Kooks, Editors, Arctic Monkeys, Doves.
U: It all started with 3 Doors Down for me, as I mentioned prior. Other influences include: Poets of the Fall, Alter Bridge (Blackbird), Paramore, Tenacious D, Fall Out Boy to name a few. In the last 5 years or so, I’ve found a love for progressive metal/djent. I’m getting quite inspired by Periphery, Animals as Leaders and Tesseract.
Are there any non-rock musicians or genres that have also influenced your music?
T: Yes, Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Ray Charles come to mind, but yeah, I love all styles.
U: There is! I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for Owl City. But I’m a huge sucker for video game soundtracks. One major highlight would be an old SNES classic, Mega Man X.
What is your main inspiration when looking to write new music?
T: Mainly Life experiences, good or bad. I’ve been inspired before by a history documentary and wrote our track Duel so you never know really, ha.
U: Life experiences are a huge inspiration for our songwriting. Or sometimes I can be listening to some challenging guitar things and that could spark some melodic ideas. A lot like the opening riff to Brother was inspired by the playing style of Mark Holcombe from Periphery!
What do you enjoy most about performing live and do you have any memorable live performance experiences you’d like to share?
T: It’s hard to say because some of our smaller shows are my faves, so it’s not about how many people are there. We just love performing, supporting The Subways was pretty cool and we headlined the O2 Academy this year, which was epic and did a run of shows up North.
U: As a band, we’ve played a heap of memorable shows, and we love playing them! If I’ve got to pick, though, it would probably be off of our most recent headline UK tour. London O2 Academy and Newcastle The Cluny were the most memorable dates for me.
Outside of the band for me was when I was the guest guitarist for 3 Doors Down at the Camden Roundhouse in 2011.
What has been a particularly rewarding moment in your musical journey so far?
T: Charting at 59 in the Worldwide Charts with the single ‘not giving in’ it also reached 4 in the iTunes ROCK charts. Also, recording in France was pretty special. But yeah, it’s all worth the hard work that goes with it. I work with some great people, and we do what we love. Also being endorsed as a Guitarist, along with Umar, will always be a highlight for me.
U: I’d say performing live with my heroes, getting endorsed as a guitarist (Thanks Aria Guitars!) and getting to make music with my best friends.
How would you define success as a musician?
T: Well, for most musicians it isn’t money, success to me would be recognised by every major outlet and playing most of the big festivals around the world, that would suggest you’re doing okay to me ha, but even then they’re still skint. But seriously, if the music helps one person through any issue, then that’s a win, as that’s kinda why I write to help myself and hopefully others.
U: Not only being proud of what you’re putting out into the world, but getting responses on how our music has resonated with each individual. For me, success isn’t defined by fame, glory and money. It’s about that one person who comes to us and says how our music has helped them or how we or one of us has inspired that certain someone. That’s what success is for me.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?
T: Ha in 2025 hmmm maybe RUNNNN…… The Music industry has changed, and not for the better. But if you’re like me, you like a challenge. So keep at it, youngens haha. It’s a tough game, but if you’re really really good at Instagram reels, you might be alright. But nothing is more fun than making tunes with your friends. Regardless of where it goes. So to all the new bands, just enjoy it most of all.
U: Be prepared for the ride of your life!! Keep it fun as long as possible and don’t throw all your eggs into one basket! You’re still gonna need to eat! Get a job full-time/part-time, the workhorse needs funding if you wanna get anywhere these days!
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Listen to Broken Colours’ new single ‘Brother’ below.