While we're in the 21st century, there are still topics that are deemed as taboo. And one of them is mental health. While awareness about things like depression, anxiety and even PTSD are starting to spread and get talked about, Black Foxxes wanted to blow the idea wide open. And they did on their album, I'm Not Well. We sat down with guitarist and singer Mark Holley, bassist Tristan Jane and drummer Ant Thornton to talk about the new record, its themes and what they hope to accomplish as Black Foxxes in the future.

Hometown: Exeter, UK

How did the Black Foxxes get together?

Ant Thronton: Mark started the project with two friends, and I heard about it and thought it was pretty cool. Then a month later, he was looking for a drummer and asked me to [join]. Then a month after that, the bass player left. So he asked Trist, and that's how we're here.

You guys have been playing together for a bit. So how does it feel to have the album out now around the world?

Mark Holley: I think it feels weird bringing it over [to America] actually, because it felt proper for me when the album was out in the shops. And they were on the shelves. That was really cool. It feels real now. But when you're abroad, you realize your album's out here, too. You just assume that people have heard you through a YouTube video or something, so it does feel a bit weird that it's translated across the world. But it feels wicked.

We had a guy fly from Chicago to LA to see us at the back of our set, which is nuts. It was the first time he's seen us. And for us, that's crazy. So it's all going well. We're living the dream at the moment.

I'm Not Well delves into some heavy themes like getting through emotions and mental health. Why did you feel it was important to bring those to life?

Holley: I think I just reached a point in time where I was tired of not speaking more about it. When you start having panic attacks and anxiety, it's really weird because you actually don't know what it is. It feels like you're dying. It really does, and it's because of something you can't put your finger on. And it wasn't until I went into therapy and stuff, [I] realized that it's anxiety. And when you can put your finger on what it is, it becomes a lot easier.

I just got fed up, and I just wanted to open the topic. I've got nothing to be afraid about. And hopefully people will listen and think, Cool, I'm like that, too. Now let's talk about it. Let's champion it and not criticize them because their minds work a certain way. It's stupid that it's gone on this long with that mentality. So if anything, I'm championing the fact that it's cool to be weird and to talk about mental health issues.

Do you feel that by delving into these kinds of topics that you now have a new sense of responsibility, especially with your fans' reactions?

Tristan Jane: I don't feel responsible. I feel happy when people come toward us and ask us questions and find out more about what we do. But I don't feel responsible personally.

Thornton: I don't think it's a about being this kind of figurehead for some kind of movement. It's just bringing light from the dark. That sounds really cliche and cheesy. I mean, Mark has been getting messages from fans about how they're struggling with this stuff, too. They say, "I listened to your album, and it made me feel a whole lot better." So it's just nice to get that reaction. It's not like we're going to start a movement though.

What is your definition of success?

Holley: For me, it would be to have a large back catalog of albums, like a lot of albums, and to have a storied career. Bands that say it's not about the money. It's a lie. Obviously, money is important. We all live at home with our parents at the moment. So for us to be able to move out, and we're always looking toward the next steps like a new flat somewhere. But having said that, money is at the bottom of a pile of other things that are far more important. If we can travel the world, have a fan base and do this for the rest of our lives, that's success.