Words: Noel Oganyan / Photographs: Ellie Connor-Phillips / Clothes: DENIAL by Joe Taylor / Models: Forrest Flowers: Noel, Tom, Sunny, Jas

Our new single Chickens came about in the same chaotic manner as everything else in the history of our band. It’s a little insane but we like to think that’s a good thing! To me, this song is my personal commentary on the world - on the global tendency to assume progress as good without challenging the change. What I mean is - say, ‘gentrification’ is definitely ‘progress’ but also is definitely not good. And so this ‘systemization’ of people scares me a little. Hence, I use chickens as a metaphor for people, however smug that sounds.

Chickens lay eggs and whine,

Sometimes they feel just fine…

They turn ornate,

Don’t want to get their clothes stained…

We love to collaborate with other creatives! For us it is an opportunity to learn something new, see this new unique perspective. Our album cover for Chickens was painted by Luca Suss, an artist from Switzerland with whom I connected over Instagram. Our single launch has been organised by Enterprise Innovation Solutions - a promoting initiative by Io. We have also collaborated with independent fashion designers such as AlexJustSpat, Empty Brains, DENIAL, etc.

I was worried before starting Forrest Flowers that I would struggle with sharing creativity due to a very individualistic fine art background. But after meeting so many talented people in London’s DIY community I realised that I trust every single one of us to try our best with what we do. And that’s all you could ever ask for really! This mad motivation that everyone here radiates gives me so much more energy to continue doing what we do!

Collaborating with Joe from DENIAL was hardly any work. I think we all share a great dynamic where work doesn’t feel like work. Before, Joe has asked me to model for DENIAL. We shot this one-take video of me dancing to gabber in a kilt in a council estate which to this day I consider the pinnacle of fine art! Later in the year, we had our EP launch and Joe has offered to design our stage outfits. Traditionally, I got too hot by the time we played our second song and got naked - meaning we couldn’t get any decent photos of Joe’s clothes :((

Here we redeem ourselves a few months later with a proper (proper) photoshoot!

Our next big launch is going to happen very soon! Chickens will be out on my 22nd birthday - Saturday 22nd February! And we will also be playing a big DIY show the same night at The Engine Rooms in Bow. Come see us make some noise in beautiful designer clothes (or naked)!!

Saturday 22nd Feb

The Engine Rooms

Doors at 7pm

£5 entry

God Save the Scene