Framing Hanley

Framing Hanley have always channeled the sound of healing out loud through their music.

An uncanny ability to alchemize open-hearted emotion into anthemic hard rock immediately separated the band from the pack upon their initial introduction back in 2007. Along the way, they picked up a gold plaque from the RIAA, sold hundreds of thousands of albums, amassed nearly half-a-billion streams, packed houses on tour, and received acclaim from Billboard, Loudwire, V13, Kerrang, and many others.

Tapping into feelings without filter once again, the Nashville, TN quartet—Kenneth Nixon [vocals, guitar], Nic Brooks [guitar], Jonathan Stoye [bass, guitar], and Matt Naff [drums]—only continue to perfect this approach on their 2025 EP and so much more to come.

“Framing Hanley is a form of therapy for me,” says Nixon. “It’s always mind-blowing when anybody connects with our music. We write about what we see and feel. This band is a true representation of our lives. It’s a vehicle for us to navigate what we’re going through.”

Framing Hanley have both captivated and cultivated a diehard audience since emerging in the early aughts. Among many highlights, their cover of Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” notably went Gold, gathering north of 59 million Spotify streams to date. Renowned for powerhouse performances, they also shined as the rare dynamic force equally comfortable on a bill with either Good Charlotte or Sick Puppies. At the same time, their evolution can be audibly traced through a series of fan favorite albums, namely The Moment [2007], A Promise To Burn [2010], The Sum Of Who We Are [2014], and Envy [2020]. The latter marked their return following a period of dormancy, paving the way for “Start A Fire,” “Say Less,” and the recent “Hear Me Now Redux” featuring wrestling legend Jeff Hardy.

They parlayed this energy into writing and recording throughout 2024.

“We had initially taken a break, because we wanted to focus on our families,” Nixon goes on. “It was a benefit to have that space. When we did get back together, we picked up where we left off. It felt great.”

Together, they expanded the sonic palette. This time around, the guys nodded to inspirations as diverse as Glassjaw, Childish Gambino, and Jason Isbel. Hitting the studio with Richie Wicander of Fire from the Gods, they crafted the 2025 single “Mean It.” Evoking the signature ebb and flow of classic Framing Hanley, the track layers airy guitar echoes over a robust beat. Emotion weighs heavy on the chugging palm-muted riff and gives way to a chantable chorus, “There’s violence in silence. Hit me like you mean it.”

“It’s a great representation of our growth and who we are now as musicians and artists,” the frontman observes. “Thematically, we’ve all been in relationships where it’s a constant battle. You ask, ‘Is this the right thing for us? Should we walk away? I can be a pain in the ass to deal with. You reach a point where you know you can do better, and you need this other person to show you how to make it work.”

It also sets the stage for the next body of work. Brooks reveals, “This EP is a roller coaster. We’re melding together a handful of different styles, bringing in electronic elements, some R&B elements, and jazzy vibes. We’re also trying to bring back the heavier energy. We’re interested in making something that feels real.”

That’s what Framing Hanley have done from day one and will no doubt continue to do.

“I grew up dirt poor in the sticks of rural Tennessee,” Nixon leaves off. “This band provided me opportunities to play music and see places around the world I wouldn't have been able to visit in any other way. For me, when I'm asked what success is -- success is just being able to release music years later and still elicit a response from anyone, let alone thousands upon thousands of people. That's more than I could have ever envisioned when I started playing in a garage at age 14. At the end of the day, I hope people hear what we’re currently doing and understand that this is Framing Hanley now.”