FEATURE
MUSIC
JODIE NICHOLSON HURWORTH-ON-TEES’ SINGER AND MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST JODIE NICHOLSON TALKS ABOUT LESSONS LEARNED AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT HAVE LED TO SELF-GROWTH 2020 has been a pretty crazy year for me in terms of music, I really didn’t expect it. Jo Whiley played Losing Track on BBC Radio 2 in February and I thought ‘that’s it, 2020 complete’, especially when lockdown hit. Weeks after the announcement, I launched a Kickstarter to release my album Golden Hour on 12” vinyl and it ended up over 250% of its initial target – madness! – and it feels like I haven’t stopped since then. Crowdfunding and lockdown in general has made me step out of my comfort zone massively with social media. I’ve shown more of my face, experimented with content to try and cut through the noise, and livestreamed for New York’s Rockwood Music Hall and Summer Streets’ Virtual Festival; that likely wouldn’t have happened without the pandemic. I’ve also learned animation, the importance of a plan B (or C or D!) and delved into Facebook Business (a big, baffling world that I never knew existed). The biggest game-changer has been receiving Help Musicians’ Do It Differently and PRS Foundation’s Women Make Music
awards in May – it would have been a very different year without these awards. They’ve given me the opportunity to release new music right through to Spring 2021 with a new EP in the works, (virtually) meet so many amazing people in the industry and work remotely with the phenomenal producer, Tim Bran, (who’s previously worked with Aurora, London Grammar and Rae Morris). It’s been SO cool watching my new single, Move, unfold since its release in September, from class write-ups in the States, to landing a spot on BBC 6 Music’s Introducing playlist and Radio 1 with Huw Stephens and Amazing Radio’s A-list. This year’s been one heck of a roller-coaster and it’s definitely not been plain sailing, but it’s taught me that even during a global pandemic, loads of things are possible. I’ve gained a huge amount of knowledge and reassurance, space to really grow as an artist and form an amazing support system, despite Covid’s limitations. I feel very grateful. www.jodienicholsonmusic.com
SWINE TAX: NO TEETH LEDDIE MC: CHURCH HONEY A raw and darkly inventive six-piece band from Newcastle, their demonic noise punk is characterised by repetitive crush-huge riffs, caveman drums and absurdist rants. It’s a case of anything goes with No Teeth, they’re never afraid to experiment – an ethos that’s best showcased on their brilliant 1930s Graphic Design Menopause single released earlier in the year. We’re gutted not to have the chance to see them play in 2020, because No Teeth are a truly special live act. Their gigs somehow just get more and more intense; they’re like a careening juggernaut of sound that’s teetering on the edge of collapse. Newcastle’s best kept secret – great band! www.swinetax.bandcamp.com / www. no-teeth.bandcamp.com
Church Honey only have two singles out so far as a full band, even though a few of the band members have been on the scene for years, whether it be solo or in other local bands. Ben’s writing is amazing. It is so raw and it seems to have the ability to touch a part of your soul that you never knew existed. The instrumentation the band create behind the lyrics is fantastic too. I cant wait to hear more from them. www.facebook.com/leddiemc / www. facebook.com/churchhoneymusic
ME LOST ME: YAKKA DOON
Yakka Doon’s beautiful album Strenuous Detour brought me great comfort during lockdown, so it was brilliant and quite moving to see them play live on the Sage concourse when it briefly reopened from lockdown in October. Claire Welford has one of the most compelling voices I’ve ever heard; it’s powerful, vulnerable and warm, as she belts her lush folk songs over guitar, with delicious harmonies and additional instrumentation from Phil Tyler. You should check them out if you want to listen to something mellow and earthy to soothe yourself on a rainy day. www.melostme.com / www.yakkadoon. bandcamp.com
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