Author: Joey Rochert

Words By Joey Rochert.

The indie scene never fails to astonish, and North Ship continues this trend with their latest single, ‘Scent.’ Infused with a delightful crunch and a soothing warmth, this track stands out like a radiant beacon, effortlessly claiming its place at the forefront of the game with a timeless style.

Fueled by room-filling guitar riffs, ‘Scent’ unfolds gradually, unveiling a potent vocal delivery that seems to emerge from the very fabric of the ether. The track reaches its zenith in the chorus, where an irresistible hook cements itself, adhering like glue to the robust mix that provides a weighty backdrop.

You can take a listen below.

Photo Credit: North Ship.

Words By Joey Rochert.

Hello, North Ship, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Scent’, what is the meaning? 

I was a pallbearer at the funeral of one of my Guy Bailey, who was the co-founder of The Quireboys and one of my oldest friends. “Scent” is a positive message about how we can choose to remember people we lose. 

Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?

Gosh, that’s a tricky one. I don’t think there’s a single artist who inspires me the most but I do like music that does something new with a genre. I love Wet Leg for example, although them being from the Isle of Wight definitely contributes to that! I like French The Kid as well.

What is the best thing about being a musician in 2023?

The democratization of recording and releasing music. 

Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g. a certain room, or environment?

Not really, to be honest. I try to keep within arm’s reach of a pen and paper, and I’ve always got my phone on me to record an idea.

What is your first memory of music?

I have a vague recollection of hearing “Substitute” by The Who on the radio but I could be wrong!

Photo Credit: North Ship.

Words By Joey Rochert.

Once again, it is that time of the year when we are greeted by new festive releases for the season, and ‘Snow Filled Field’ by Ray Thompson has been keeping us glued to our seats like gum on the bottom of a boot!

Ray Thompson, casts his spell here alongside a group of choir singers, and together they all rise to the occasion with vigour, filling us with the joy of the holiday season. This song is the ideal complement to our extensive collection of holiday favourites, and the feeling that Ray provides is so irresistible that it is really difficult to say no to it. This song has a rhythm that makes us feel great, and we find ourselves tapping our feet in time with the rhythm. In addition to this, the guitars explode forth with wintery bite, while the vocals smash through the speakers with confidence!

You can take a listen below.

Photo Credit: Ray Thompson.

Words By Joey Rochert.

Hello, Ray, Let’s talk about your new single. “Snow Filled Fields”, what is the meaning?

In 2004, along with my then wife and our four children, we emigrated to Australia. My two boys and girls all found Christmas strange in the sun and longed to see snow in the fields. This stuck in my mind. Whisk forward to 2009 and I was back in the UK supporting my eldest of the 4 children through breast cancer. She was only 20 and had returned to the UK to go to college. But that is a whole other story. Anyway, whilst back in the UK. I saw an advert on the internet for a Christmas song hosted by someone from Nashville. So, I thought I would give it a go. Surprising thing was it came second. Took me a while though to get around to recording it. It was nearly ready for release Christmas 2022, but I wanted children to sing backing vocals and when better to record this than Christmas time. So, we recorded the Children in Christmas 2022 and waited a whole year to release.

What is your favourite Christmas song of all time?

‘Fairytale of New York’ is probably my favourite Christmas song.

What is the best thing about being a musician in 2023?

For me being a musician in 2023 is great. This was the year I released a lot of new music and really started taking myself seriously. It marked the beginning of my rise to better things.

Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g. a certain room, or environment?

I have a summerhouse that I converted into a little practice studio. This is where I go to play my piano and adding tracks to an App on my I-phone. But to be honest most of my songs have been wrote while sitting on my bed or at the kitchen table. I use voice notes a lot on my phone then convert the vocal and acoustic track to MP3, then I use an App to add more tracks on my phone. The metronome in my head is so good I have often used the MP3 as guide tracks in the studio. The engineer has been able to put a click to it without much editing.

What is your first memory of music?

This would be of my mum dancing and singing to Rod Stewart song’s. Usually after she had been out drinking and was in the party mood. Much to my dad’s disgust. Who was never a big music fan and a real killjoy.

Photo Credit: Ray Thompson.