In Conversation With… Big Wreck’s Ian Thornley

Currently on a North American tour, Big Wreck are set to release their latest EP, Pages, this Friday November 24th. The 6-song EP features their recently-released single, “Bail Out” – a riff-driven track with slick vocals and heavy drums. We caught up with Ian Thornley to chat about the new music, the artists he’s currently listening to, and the advice he’d give to his younger self.

From The Strait: Tell us about the new Pages EP – what can fans expect?

Ian Thornley: With Pages, I think we’ve tried to push ourselves into new territory musically, sonically, and lyrically. It all still comes from the same well so it’s definitely Big Wreck, but all of the different directions we traditionally like are expanded upon.

From The Strait: You’re currently touring North America, and have played countless shows around the world. What has been your favourite venue to play, and are there any venues still on your bucket list?

Ian Thornley: I don’t personally have a favourite venue. I have favourite shows that we’ve played, certainly. I think a really great show has not so much to do with the venue per se, but the people in it. When the crowd is great, we’ll feed off of that and build upon it. We’ve really been pretty lucky in that regard. And yes there are plenty of places I’d love to play! Far too many to mention!

From The Strait: What was the coolest (or weirdest) show you’ve played?

Ian Thornley: That’s hard to say, when you’ve been at it this long there are a lot of weird shows that stick out. We played in an MMA Octagon once as part of some kind of “Fight Night” and that was pretty different.

From The Strait: What bands/artists are you listening to most these days?

Ian Thornley: It always changes, but I go through waves of revisiting old faves and am always finding new things to fall in love with, or to dissect and learn from. Currently it’s Tom Petty, and Nick Drake.

From The Strait: What are some of the band members’ non-musical hobbies?

Ian Thornley: Chris is a hockey nut
Dave is really into Formula 1
Sekou is a big MMA fan
I don’t really have a hobby outside of music. I like to cook when I can.

From The Strait: It’s been 26 years since you released your debut studio album – what would 2023 Big Wreck want to tell 1997 Big Wreck?

Ian Thornley: “Stick to your guns kiddo!”

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Check out “Bail Out” the recent single from Big Wreck’s upcoming Pages EP!

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