North Ship’s latest single, ‘How Like You This?’ propels them straight out of Copenhagen and into the realm of indie brilliance. With a sound that blends nostalgic echoes of yesteryear with contemporary flair, this track proves to be a refreshing addition to the indie scene. Moreover, the duo exhibits a remarkable knack for melding vintage tones with modern sensibilities, resulting in a musical experience that’s difficult to criticize.
The guitars shimmer with an ethereal echo, while the drums resonate with unwavering energy, creating a dynamic backdrop for Tom’s emotive vocals that strike straight to the heart. ‘How Like You This?’ also proves North Ship’s ability to craft music that transcends time, leaving us eagerly awaiting their next release.
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.
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!
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!
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.
It is always a nice feeling when one discovers a new favorite, and that is the exact way to sum up how I felt after hearing ‘Hero’ by Von Venn. Although I am not unfamiliar with the band and have listened to a large number of their earlier tracks, I cannot help but feel that this song is quite unique in comparison to their others.
I like how it has a warm, groovy vibe to it yet at the same time it fills the air around me with many indie textures. Gary, who possesses his own technique and distinctive quality, is responsible for providing the distinctive delivery of the vocals; he smashes it! Also, another pleasant surprise is the arrival of a female harmony at various points throughout the performance.
Oh, Brian Lightning, where shall we even begin? What an innovator we have here with Birmingham’s latest phenomenon! When he is not mesmerising his audiences with his mind-boggling magic skills, he is pleasing their ears with his brand new and debut single, titled “Pilot.”
A track which takes us far into his imagination, it explores an indie, jazzy sound which is soothing yet has heaps of power within its touch. The vocals from Brian are alluring, and he manages to stand out right from the start! One to watch for the future? We certainly think so!
The highly awaited new album, ‘Jeanie Is Out’ from Dublin’s own indie-rock band Von Venn will be released this Friday, June 23rd, including the riveting premiere of new track ‘In Time’. Thankfully, we were able to get our hands on a sneak preview before it was officially released, and the band’s performance does not disappoint.
The new material from Von Venn oozes charm and carries on from where previous tracks like ‘Ghost’ and ‘Constant Girl’, left off! Also, it displays their ability to integrate indie rock’s underpinnings with pop’s subtleties and they are artistically on par with that of modern greats like Blossoms.
Lead singer and wordsmith, Gary Cox, bewitches all with his entrancing vocals, seamlessly intertwining with the meticulously crafted instrumentation. The result is a harmonious fusion that will leave you spellbound.
‘Jeanie Is Out’ the new album by Von Venn will be out on Friday, June 23rd.
Hello, James, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Life’s Tasting Good’, what is the meaning?
Well at the core of it, “Life’s Tasting Good” documents the life of a young rat who dreams of becoming a chef at Auguste Gusteau’s restaurant and tries to achieve his goal by forming an unlikely alliance with… wait, no, sorry, that’s Ratatouille! It’s actually just simply about the joys of life. Because sometimes you need to sit back and appreciate the flavours of the world.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
Harry Styles has to hold that crown. What he’s done for combining the aura of a retro rockstar with the modern pop scene is right up my alley. Greta Van Fleet take a close second.
Photo Credit: James Sebastian
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2023?
Being active in the age of social media. Thousands of people can hear your music immediately and the challenge is less about getting your music heard and more just making it as good as it can be.
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
I’ve tried to have a think but I don’t tbink there’s anywhere specific I write… what does tend to happen is I’ll come up with an idea somewhere like the library or midway through a theatre show and I have to sneak off to the toilet for a lil compositional wee break. Rock and roll, eh?
What is your first memory of music?
I was on a tricycle in my house around 5 years old and Johnny B Goode was on the radio. But I’m still not quite playing guitar like ringing a bell just yet… its more like juggling currently!
Hello, James, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Life’s Tasting Good’, what is the meaning?
Well at the core of it, “Life’s Tasting Good” documents the life of a young rat who dreams of becoming a chef at Auguste Gusteau’s restaurant and tries to achieve his goal by forming an unlikely alliance with… wait, no, sorry, that’s Ratatouille! It’s actually just simply about the joys of life. Because sometimes you need to sit back and appreciate the flavours of the world.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
Harry Styles has to hold that crown. What he’s done for combining the aura of a retro rockstar with the modern pop scene is right up my alley. Greta Van Fleet take a close second.
Photo Credit: James Sebastian.
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2023?
Being active in the age of social media. Thousands of people can hear your music immediately and the challenge is less about getting your music heard and more just making it as good as it can be.
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
I’ve tried to have a think but I don’t tbink there’s anywhere specific I write… what does tend to happen is I’ll come up with an idea somewhere like the library or midway through a theatre show and I have to sneak off to the toilet for a lil compositional wee break. Rock and roll, eh?
What is your first memory of music?
I was on a tricycle in my house around 5 years old and Johnny B Goode was on the radio. But I’m still not quite playing guitar like ringing a bell just yet… its more like juggling currently!
Pre-save ‘Life’s Tasting Good’, the new single by James Sebastian here.
