On a warm summer’s day, as the water trickled gently down the Fat Cat pub’s water feature, Exposed’s Ash Birch took a pew in the sun-soaked Kelham beer garden alongside all four members of Sheffield band Faint Paint for a fittingly relaxed chin wag…
Faint Paint didn’t form so much as they slowly crystallised over time. Mark Riddington (guitar) and Cal Innes (lead singer) forged their friendship as kids in the industrial landscape of Doncaster and, having moved to the equally industrial but brighter lights of Sheffield as adults, have remained close musical collaborators ever since.
When their previous band Naguals split, they found momentum again by revisiting old songs written in their teens. “Some of these songs are 15, 16 years old,” says Cal. “It’s like reading diary entries that you’re not sure you want anyone to see.”
That reflective, slightly vulnerable quality has become central to Faint Paint’s sound – melodic, open and, above all, spacious. “It’s really exposed music,” explains Mark.
Anthony Barlow, who joined on drums after stints in High Hazels and various Sheffield outfits adds: “There’s so much space that every note rings out. There’s nowhere to hide.”
The idea of “carving space” became a creative mantra. Rather than build walls of sound, they focus on clarity and mood, often pulling from unlikely influences. “We’re all big David Lynch fans,” says Zac Barfoot, who you may recognise from numerous Sheffield bands and who joined as Faint Paint’s bassist. “We try and make music that might work in one of his films.”
That cinematic atmosphere feeds into everything – from the stripped-back live arrangements to Cal’s unpredictable lyrics. “Heartfelt but not cheesy – that’s the line we’re always trying to walk,” he says.
Despite the minimalism, their sound feels rich with detail – part of which comes from the collaborative writing process. “There’s no single ownership of anything,” says Cal. “Even the songs that were written years ago have been reworked so much that they wouldn’t be what they are without everyone’s input.”
That carving process happens in the studio too. “It’s very tempting to put all the bells and whistles on,” Mark adds. “But it always ends up stronger when we strip it back. It’s about carving away, not adding in.”
The result is music that thrives on subtlety – something that makes their live shows stand out in a city that often leans into sledgehammer impact. “There’s something powerful about people going quiet to really listen,” says Anthony. “It means you’re doing something right. We’re not loud – but we’ve got presence.”
That approach even led to the streamlining of Mark’s pedalboard – once a hefty rig, now whittled down to a single pedal. “It’s a less-is-more thing,” he nods. “Just reverb. Always reverb.”
Their live set-up has also grown to include a fifth (unofficial) member – Joe Lawson, who plays keys and even filled in on drums when Anthony was away at Glasto. “He just knew all the parts, but that’s not going to be a regular thing,” laughs Anthony. “He’s our Billy Preston, and Mark’s his boss, so if he fucks up he can fire him!” adds Cal (in what we can only assume is a joke!)
Joe’s brother, James, unintentionally added to the band’s growing folklore earlier this year by turning up to a show in a self-made FAINT PAINT: BIGGER THAN JESUS T-shirt – then selling bootleg merch outside their headline gig at Shakespeare’s. “We had no idea,” grins Cal. “It was like one of those guys you see outside arena gigs. Except it was our mate.”
With a growing local following and a distinctive sound that doesn’t really slot into any of the obvious Sheffield scenes, the band have been selective about gigs. “We’re trying not to play too often – just make each show feel special,” says Mark. “The Shakespeare’s show was a real moment. Everyone was respectful, really listening. That kind of vibe’s hard to come by.”
“There’s not really anyone else in Sheffield doing what we’re doing,” adds Cal. “We’re not trying to fit a scene – just trying to carve our own world out.”
Next up is a live video session recorded at the newly rebranded Tecna Studios (formerly Tesla Studios), filmed with a small, handpicked audience. “We wanted something that had life to it,” says Anthony. “So many sessions are just people playing to an empty room over and over. This one felt like a real show.” The footage – three or four songs’ worth – will be released later this summer as an introduction to their next headline show at the Lantern Theatre on 10 October.
And beyond that? “We were going to do an EP, but we’ve decided to go all in on an album,” says Cal. “We don’t want to mess around. We’d rather make something cohesive and go for it properly.”
Looking further ahead, the band are also eyeing up dates abroad. “We’ve talked about playing in Europe more,” says Mark. “We’ve got friends in France who’ve invited us over. We’d love to do a proper tour once the album’s out.”
From dusty old demos to deliberate, mature songwriting and quietly arresting performances, Faint Paint are a band who take their time. And in a city not short on noise, it’s the silences that help them stand out.
