Greetings dear Constant Readers! I bring you some good news with this month’s edition – I’m very proud to have been chosen as one of New Writing North’s Creative Associates for 2024/2025. For the uninitiated, New Writing North are a writing development agency for the North, and their Creative Associate programme consists of a package of grant funding and mentoring to support a new project. Firstly, to get recognition from an organisation as prestigious as NWN is something I’m really proud of; this job can be a pretty lonely one, and all too often I feel like I’m just sat in my spare room bashing away at the computer. It can be difficult to see the impact of what I do, and it’s super-rare for me to have time to develop my own creative work. The support from NWN will enable me to realise a long-held ambition to produce NARC.’s first book, The Alternative Guide to the North East, which will be launched in celebration of our 20th anniversary in 2026. The Alt. Guide will be for those looking to dig a bit deeper into the region’s alt. music and culture scenes – think of it as partly a deep-dive into the history and heritage of the region’s culture, and a guidebook which will encourage and instruct the reader on how to make the most of their time here. It’ll be for locals (like you!) as well as visitors, and I’m stupidly excited to start work – there’s a lot to be done, from raising funding, to crucial decisions around design, style and content, and I’ll need to find time to fit it in with all the other myriad things on my plate, so it’s going to be a challenging – but exciting! – couple of years. I’ll keep you informed, of course!
Rhiannon Banks / Victoria Wai / David W Contributors
Neil Ainger / Phoenix Atkinson / Matthew Brown / Iam Burn / Caleb Carter / Jonathan Coll / Roz Cuthbert / Laura Doyle / Emily Elliott / Lee Fisher / Chloe Glover / Nat Greener / Michaela Hall / Lee Hammond / Robert Heselton / John Knox / Ben Lowes-Smith / Isabel Maria / Matthew McDonnell / Amelia Neri / Robert Nichols / Michael O’Neill / Kate Relton / Ben Robinson / Damian Robinson / Laura Rosierse / David Saunders / Mack Sproates / Dominic Stephenson / Sarah Storer / Dawn Storey / Linsey Teggert / Luke Waller / Ali Welford / Cameron Wright / Matt Young
PREVIEWS
4 HIGHLIGHTS
Some of the best events in November, and what’s online at narcmagazine.com
6
PREVIEWS
Live shows from Youth Sector, Altered Images, Our Girl, Jessica Pratt, Porridge Radio, Gruff Rhys & Bill Ryder-Jones, Beabadoobee, King Creosote, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Walt Disco, Moonchild Sanelly, Caoilfhionn Rose, Sote, Man Man, Evicshen, Cindy and more; there’s international film festivals in Newcastle and Stockton; art exhibitions The Skin We Live In and My Name Is Harry… at NGCA, the National Gallery Road Trip heads to South Tyneside, and Arts Centre Washington host their open call exhibition; theatre-wise, catch Round the Houses at Laurel’s, In The Sick Of It at ARC, Play, Pause, Repeat at Gosforth Civic Theatre, Departing at 18.25 at Georgian Theatre/Hullabaloo, Gwyneth Goes Skiing at Live, Bright Places at Northern Stage and loads more!
Reports of live shows from Orlando Weeks, Sløtface, Frankie Archer, Real Estate, Jim Jones All Stars, Lizzie Esau, Joy Orbison, Beyond the Moor festival, Pom Poko and more
Reviews of local singles and EPs from watersmeet, Frazer Lambert, The Avelons, Pit Pony, The Agency…, Steve Luck, Big Romance, Ricky Clark, Aimee Lambert, motions, Rob Harvey and Blackout the Arcade
Reviews of demo tracks from Jakey Boy, David Kelly, Piss Jelly, noah ajc, Naomi Kelly
Featuring new releases from Mezanmi, Rojor, Jody Bigfoot, Mt. Misery, Janice Burns & Jon Doran, W.H. Lung, Kim Deal, Thank, She Drew The Gun, Tashi Dorji and more
Photographer David Hall chooses some of his favourite tracks
Next Issue Out 27th
28 DU BLONDE
Linsey Teggert talks to Beth Jeans Houghton about leaning into her unhinged side, collaborating with other artists and embracing musical freedom on her fourth record as Du Blonde Image by Ellen Dixon
PREVIEWS
POETRY AND SPOKEN WORD, REBELLIOUS CABARET, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ART, EXPERIMENTAL DOCUMENTARY, GOOD-TIME VAUDEVILLE AND FOLK HORROR BINGO... IT’S ALL GOING ON IN NOVEMBER!
MUSIC
WED 6
JACK JONES
Contemporary songwriter, poet and guitar slinger, Jack Jones developed his skills with Welsh riot starters Trampolene and Peter Doherty’s Puta Madres. He released his debut in September and begins a UK tour, where he’ll be dropping into Three Tanners Bank to give North Shields a night it won’t forget. Three Tanners Bank, North Shields www.facebook.com/jackjonesinnit
FILM
THUR 7 UNCANNY LANDS
A unique event which promises to whisk audiences into the eerie realms of rural Britain for a special screening of 1971 classic The Blood on Satan’s Claw, coupled with a two-course autumnal themed menu taking inspiration from the forests, fields and furrows. Plus folk-horror bingo and ghostly storytelling! Also taking place on Friday 8th November. Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle www.tynesidecinema.co.uk
MUSIC
FRI 8
TC & THE GROOVE FAMILY
TC & The Groove Family arrive at Cobalt to show what they’re made of. A dynamic collective that have already sold out shows at London Jazz Festival and Hull Festival, they are passionate about exploring new grooves and genres from all around the world, led by their dynamic drummer Tim Cook. Cobalt Studios, Newcastle www.tcandthegroovefamily.bandcamp.com
STAGE
FRI 8
LIVE THEATRE IS CURIOUS CABARET
Curious Arts collaborate with Live for a delightful celebration of cabaret, comedy, art and drag, hosted by avant-garde performer David Hoyle. Expect bold performances from rebellious cabaret artist Mama Rhi, hilarious duo WhatsApp Ross & Johnny the Biblical Rapper, drag king Veggie Stripper, queer dance artists Jesse Salaman and Toi Guy, among many more. Live Theatre, Newcastle www.live.org.uk
MUSIC
SAT 9 MG BOULTER
Stockton’s newest record store hosts its second ever in-store performance, bringing Essex-born singer-songwriter MG Boulter to the stage to promote his newest release Days of Shaking, an intimate album of soft hypnotic psalms. Local performer Parissa Zarifi is providing haunting folk melodies in support. Free to attend.
Regency Records, Stockton www.mgboulter.co.uk
ART & LIT THUR 14
MICHAEL PETRY
In League With Devils finds the Texas-born multidisciplinary artist deal with historic and current belief systems through the medium of bronze sculptures crafted over the last decade, supplemented by more recent works that showcase the versatility of the MOCA London director’s command of the craft. Runs until 7th December Vane Gallery, Gateshead www.linktr.ee/michael___petry
FILM
THUR 14
RURAL REALITIES
Visual artist Joanne Coates curates a screening of Andrew Black’s experimental documentary On Clogger Lane and Warren Harrison’s film The Creek, which explore class, gender and poverty and draw on themes prevalent in her own photography, which centres around experiences of the working-class, exploring rural life, hidden histories and inequality. Baltic, Gateshead www.baltic.art
David Hoyle by Lee Baxter
At the Foot of the Gods
NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
MUSIC
THUR 21 BEANS ON TOAST
Beans on Toast will never stop. He’s a cult figure for his consistency, having put out an album each year on his birthday, 1st December, and is beloved on the festival circuit, having played Glastonbury since 2007. He brings his witty and alternative folk to The Studio in Hartlepool for the first time.
The Studio, Hartlepool www.beansontoastmusic.com
MUSIC SAT 23 WASHBOARD RESONATORS
Leeds duo Martyn and Jack are fine purveyors of blues, jazz and music hall grade hokum. You’d guess one strums a resonator and the other slaps a washboard, but add harmonica, banjolele and Tin Pan Alley percussion paraphernalia for a vaudeville, get-down, good-time show of originals and eraappropriate classics.
The ever-popular Ouseburn Open Studios provides an opportunity to check out what the creative artists of the region are working on; artists, designers, makers and creatives will throw open their studio doors, showing off furniture, paintings, textiles, jewellery, prints, illustrations and more – perfect for gift ideas! Also on Sunday 24th.
Various venues, Ouseburn Valley www.ouseburnopenstudios.org
STAGE THUR 28 OF CABBAGES & KINGS
Dr Bob Beagrie hosts an eclectic showcase of new poetic and spoken word work from beginners to experienced performers. Expect a variety of voices, styles and subject matter as members of The Poet’s Table masterclass take the stage to remind us of the power of poetry to communicate and connect.
ARC, Stockton www.arconline.co.uk
MUSIC
FRI 29 REIGNMAKER
The Kids Are Solid Gold present this headliner from Liverpool-based Reignmaker. Fresh from the release of their latest EP Spring Again, the quintet sport the widescreen-ready sound pioneered by the cream of the indie crop; big soaring choruses, caverns of reverb and a hearty balance of anthemic glory and rich melodies.
Head Of Steam, Newcastle www.linktr.ee/reignmaker
MUSIC FRI 29
KATHRYN TICKELL & FRIENDS
The Northumbrian folk musician celebrates the 40th anniversary of her debut album, On Kielder Side, with a live show featuring some special guests. Kathryn’s beguiling sound is rooted in the traditions and songs of the North East, expect beautiful performances and interesting chat. Also takes place on Saturday 30th November. Live Theatre, Newcastle www.kathryntickell.com
NARC. E-ZINE
Issue 14 of the NARC. E-ZINE is here! The latest edition of our antidote to doom-scrolling is packed full of exclusive playlists, videos, mini-documentaries and much more, continually updated throughout its lifespan – check back regularly for new content!
NARC. TV
Check out live performances and chat from North East bands and musicians on our magazine-style programmes
+ ALSO THIS MONTH…
INTERVIEW: THE FUTUREHEADS
The Sunderland band reflect on their remarkable career ahead of the release of a 20th anniversary singles collection and 2025 tour, which stops off at Newcastle’s Boiler Shop on Sunday 2nd March
INTERVIEW: SI BECKWITH & GAVIN WEBSTER
We catch up with the comedians turned playwrights ahead of their debut production, Round The Houses, which will be performed at Laurel’s Theatre in Whitley Bay from Tuesday 19th November–Saturday 7th December
MUSIC
JESSICA PRATT @ THE GLASSHOUSE
Words: Cameron Wright
US musician Jessica Pratt has always held the keys to a dream sequence. When she unlocks the door, you fall into the soft clouds and let them carry you away. Her 2012 self-titled debut was idyllic, with nine tracks cracking just over the 40-minute mark, it was a little glimpse of nirvana.
Each track led the listener into the idea of a better world, with little more than a lilting vocal and a simply strummed guitar, there was a whispered closure encased in the songs, a sense of peace.
Having released her forth record earlier this year, Pratt has added a few flavours. With traces of percussion, soft bass lines and a stronger sense of structure, Here In The Pitch somehow maintains the same intimacy, focusing the sound closer on the storytelling. The meandering verses give and take, with a pulse that never surges, but never diminishes.
The tracks are steady, floating across whichever landscape they drift over.
The reverb-drenched record harks back to the old jazz clubs that Eva Cassidy would play in, inviting you to pull up a chair, sit yourself amongst the candles and get lost in the music. Jessica Pratt plays The Glasshouse on Saturday 9th November and I for one cannot wait to be transported. www.jessicapratt.net
FILM TEES VALLEY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL @ ARC
Words: Robert Heselton
From Wednesday 6th-Saturday 9th November, a celebration of North East Filmmaking returns to Stockton’s ARC for its third consecutive year. The Tees Valley International Film Festival boasts four days of screenings across a multitude of genres, from horror and drama, to student work and much more.
The festival also brings together a wealth of knowledge from industry professionals; highlights include acting royalty Jill Halfpenny, who will be speaking with fellow acting legend Maimie McCoy, interviewed by Middlesbrough’s own Bill Fellows; Stockton-born TV star Franc Roddam will be imparting decades of industry knowledge from such iconic shows as MasterChef and Auf Weidersehen Pet; Game of Thrones actor Ben Crompton talks to Shaun Dooley (Mr Bates vs the Post Office) about his career; while the closing ceremony will feature a chat between Middlesbrough-born actor Mark Benton and Stephen Tompkinson, as they share details of their long illustrious careers. Prizes will be awarded for the most exciting independent films shown, and the festival will close with a live performance from former Chumbawamba frontman Dunstan Bruce. The festival is a beacon for filmmakers, actors and people looking for insight into the industry, as well as film fans keen to enjoy top new talent. www.tviff.co.uk
Jessica Pratt by Samuel Hess
MUSIC AIRCOOLED @ THE GROVE
Words: Ben Lowes-Smith Nineties nostalgia feels very du jour at present, and it may be quite a reductive note on which to introduce Aircooled. Although comprising members of The Wedding Present and Elastica,
there’s nothing remotely regressive about their pulsating, motorik compositions. Rather, they sounds like an energised band at the peak of their powers, and former glories seem somewhat irrelevant.
Their debut record Eat The Gold is a collection of highly infectious tunes, twisting and turning compositionally and avoiding platitude. It’s an unabashedly good-time record, combining mirror ball funk and post-punk, with Riz Maslen and Oliver Cherer (formerly of Neotropic, 90s electronica fans) sharing vocal duties to
scintillating effect. Lead single No Reason To Lie is an eccentric delight recalling Delta 5 and The Beta Band in equal measure. The band have already sold out shows in the capital and had a stint supporting Suede on tour, and happily they bring their glam-infused kosmische to The Grove on Friday 22nd November. Despite their previous form and CVs there isn’t anything remotely nostalgic about what Aircooled do, be prepared for a refreshing blast of forward-looking party music. www.aircooledmusic.co.uk
ART & LIT
THE SKIN WE LIVE IN @ NGCA
Words: Emily Elliott
Featuring work by 28 contemporary artists and photographers, The Skin We Live In explores contemporary portraiture through photography, painting, sculpture, film, and printmaking at the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, from Saturday 23rd November-Sunday 2nd March. It’s an exhibition pioneering the world of portraiture, shifting the focus from external appearance to intrinsic experiences like sexuality and isolation. In doing so, internal characteristics are depicted as adding layers of complexity to our sense of self. To capture this, many pieces of artwork in the collection are faceless, translating messages through other intriguing means, such as bodies and movement.
These new perspectives rebel against the conventions of portraiture, which are heavily grounded in the desire to please the elite, depicting status and power superficially through deep stares or expensive garments. Instead, these artists use unfiltered honesty, magnifying the experiences of marginalised communities who are unrepresented in galleries. Visitors are encouraged to look upon the artwork with open-minds and humanity. Local artists such as Sophie Lisa Beresford, Janina Sabaliauskait and Jade Sweeting all demonstrate the value of non-traditional family and connection as tools against isolation and discrimination, while working-class communities are represented through the photography of Daniel Meadows, Ian Macdonald and Chris Harrison.
The name The Skin We Live In perfectly
encapsulates this ‘appearance versus reality’: we all appear differently, yet remain vessels to carry our shared experiences. We are all united by the tribulations of the human experience. www.sunderlandculture.org.uk
MUSIC JASON
ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT @ STOCKTON GLOBE
Words: Cameron Wright
Over a decade on from his breakout album Southeastern, Jason Isbell has only risen from strength to strength. Now backed by the Grammy award-winning 400 Unit, the multifaceted talent is returning to the UK, headlining a set at The Globe in Stockton on Sunday 24th November. His releases The Nashville Sound, Reunions and Weathervanes are each jammed full of tracks cementing Isbell as one of our time’s pre-eminent lyricists. His spacious sound leaves room for his lyrics to breathe, relaxing and opening up upon each listen. Mixing country tales of dirt roads and isolation with a nuanced thread that ties the tracks together, infused with a poignancy and authenticity. Live, the tracks crackle to life. The band crank the volume up and set venues ablaze as the hits sparkle with a new vibrancy and elation. As showcased on the new live record, these are songs made to be heard on the stage; they are songs about community and rejoicing together. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit bring audiences to their feet with bombastic crowd pleasers that are each infectiously triumphant and rallying. Songs that were once calm and
assured are now swaggering and proud. www.jasonisbell.com
STAGE
THE SLOWEST WAVE @ THE BOWES MUSEUM
Words: Ben Robinson
Award-winning North East dance theatre company Surface Area Dance bring The Slowest Wave to The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle on Saturday 23rd November to inspire audiences. It will be an incredible celebration of Butoh dance, a Japanese dance-theatre artform, through one of the most famous shows in the world.
The Slowest Wave has been performed all over the world, and will see New York-based internationally renowned professional Butoh dancer Vangeline celebrates the art of the dance form, as she takes to the stage to tell the story of a neuroscientific study which was carried out in 2022 to uncover how the brains of Butoh dancers worked. Not only that, but within this story it encapsulates themes of femininity, movement, connection and stillness – a juxtaposition which makes the show mesmerising to watch.
Nicole Watson, Chief Executive of Surface Area Dance Company says: “As a Butoh expert and a leader in the global advancement of Butoh, Vangeline’s return offers audiences, whether new to Butoh or familiar with it, the chance to connect with her and explore the depths of Butoh.” So, whether you have prior knowledge of the magnificent art form or not – it certainly will prove a feast for the eyes either way. www.surfacearea.org.uk
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit by Catherine Powell
MUSIC BEABADOOBEE @ O2 CITY HALL
Words: Cameron Wright
Over the years, the shifting mentality of songwriter Beabadoobee has planted the seeds for new sounds to grow from. From her punchy DIY debut to her whimsical follow-up, the songwriter delves into sadness, love and angst. With sounds reminiscent of the depth, drama and irreverence of Death Cab For Cutie
and Pavement, listeners are gifted with a heartfelt, informed, nuanced homage across both albums as that 90s palette was honed in on.
The musician’s ever-maturing journey is more distinct now than ever, as youthful anguish turns into adulthood; the complexity of life’s gamut of emotions is still there, but now with a sense of purpose, understanding and introspection. The problems and culpability become more internal than external, and this is wonderfully reflected in the soundscape that 2024’s This Is How Tomorrow Moves creates. Having recruited the help of producer
Rick Rubin, there’s a multitude of interesting, exciting choices made across this multi-genre record, from vulnerability to growth. As Beabadoobee moves into the most commercially successful chapter of her career, there is no slowing down or sacrificing her influences, and this may be the strongest release from an increasingly promising and prominent artist. Witness the album, and the artist, in all her glory at O2 City Hall on Wednesday 13th November. www.beabadoobee.com
Live Music at The Glasshouse
Thursday 7 November
Eddie Chacon
Saturday 9 November
Jessica Pratt plus Hana Stretton
Sunday 10 November
James Grant
Sunday 17 November
Julian Lage
Thursday 21 November
From The Glasshouse
Friday 22 November
Philip Sayce plus special guest Troy Redfern
Wednesday 27 November
Gruff Rhys and Bill Ryder Jones
Tuesday 3 December
The Unthanks in Winter
Check out all our gigs: theglasshouseicm.org/whats-on
Image by Jules Moskovtchenko
MUSIC EVICSHEN @ THE CHAPEL
Words: Ben Lowes-Smith
Industrial Coast have been bringing some of the world’s best weirdo music to Middlesbrough, and their next event takes place on Friday 15th November at The Chapel in Middlesbrough.
Garnering a fantastic international reputation, San Franciscan sound artist Victoria Shen (aka Evicshen) returns to the town having played the Auxiliary in 2022. Using self-made and self-invented instruments as well as analogue synthesisers, Shen penetrates the membrane between stage and audience, oscillating between the serene and the confrontational. Textural, sensual and dynamic, Evicshen’s performances are a sensory delight. Support comes from Toi Guy, a BritishColombian dance, experimental media and crochet artist based in Newcastle. Toi has been described as creating “personal/ collective transformation portals to worlds where freedom, authenticity, queerness, co-operation and dreams are valuable towards her root ambition of healing, resistance to capitalism and reclaiming the human experience”.
Industrial Coast’s incredibly generous ticketing framework means that if you are hard up, tiered options are available ranging from £11 to 50p (and all including download codes for goodies on Industrial Coast’s Bandcamp). www.evicshen.com
MUSIC GRUFF RHYS & BILL RYDER-JONES @ THE GLASSHOUSE
Words: Cameron Wright
January saw the release of Sadness Sets You Free by the Welsh wordsmith Gruff Rhys, while the same month saw Bill Ryder-Jones release Iechyd Da.
Both acts have more in common than just an album release date. With Rhys fronting the jangle pop powerhouse Super Furry Animals and Ryder-Jones being the guitarist and co-founder of indie favourites The Coral, both artists have shaped and inspired the landscape of British rock for the next generation, and both have enjoyed successful solo careers which draw inspiration from folklore, delivering lyric-oriented tracks that build new worlds and delve into a myriad of issues.
Rhys’ 2024 contribution is piled full of lush, almost ethereal instrumentation that teeters between fantasy and glib reality, dancing a fine line of idyllic pop and dark, arresting takes on vulnerable subject matter. Ryder-Jones’ project is a hark back to the 60s, with delicate songwriting meeting the Staxx Records/Motown production to create something both intimate and grandiose. Both records seem to dive into darkness, but come out feeling triumphant and almost euphoric. It makes perfect sense that the kindred spirits are heading out on tour together, and their gig at The Glasshouse, Gateshead on Wednesday 27th November is a fantastic opportunity to
catch two artists exploring and expanding, together. www.gruffrhys.com www.billryderjones.co.uk
STAGE GWYNETH GOES SKIING @ LIVE THEATRE
Words: Ben Robinson From Wednesday 13th-Saturday 16th November, Awkward Productions are bringing their hit sensation theatre show, Gwyneth Goes Skiing, to the North East. After two sold-out and critically acclaimed runs in London the show finally makes its debut in the North at Live Theatre in Newcastle. Gwyneth Goes Skiing stars Linus Karp as the Goop-founding Hollywood superstar that is Gwyneth Paltrow, and Joseph Martin as her now-famed nemesis, Terry Sanderson, a retired optometrist from Utah. The production follows their infamous trial over a ski crash –however this time there is a comedic twist. The show features the voices of Darren Criss and Cat Cohen, as well as an on-screen cameo appearance from none other than Trixie Mattel. It is sure to be a night of belly laughs that you will remember for a long time as the cast recreates an exaggerated musical version of the trial that everyone has heard of. Described as camp, hilarious and chaotic, it’s guaranteed to be a tale which sticks with you for long after it is finished. www.live.org.uk
Bill Ryder-Jones, who performs alongside Gruff Rhys at The Glasshouse
ART & LIT
NATIONAL GALLERY ART ROAD TRIP @ VARIOUS VENUES
Words: Laura Doyle
What’s better than visiting London’s National Gallery? London’s National Gallery visiting you. As part of their 200th anniversary celebrations, the Art Road Trip is (literally) rolling out across the country to those without easy access to such creative opportunities. At each stop, the arts programme will run free, bespoke, community-led projects with full use of the high-quality supplies and materials within the art studio on wheels.
Art Road Trip will be working in collaboration with The Cultural Spring, a South Shields-based arts and culture organisation who work hard to bring workshops and events to Sunderland and South Tyneside. They’ve worked hand-in-hand with the National Gallery to build a unique programme of accessible, beginner friendly activities with something for all ages across the two regions. From Wednesday 13th November Sunderland locals can visit Grace House, Grindon Community Church Project, Washington Millennium Centre, Box Youth Project or SeventeenNineteen for their share, while South Tynesiders can try Hebburn Cemetery Tea Rooms, East Boldon Junior School, Jarrow School, Ocean Choices and Holder House CIC or The National Centre for the Written Word from Wednesday 20th November. With ten venues to choose from on the Art Road
Trip’s North Eastern leg, hopefully you’ll be close enough to swing by to celebrate all things artsy. www.theculturalspring.org
MUSIC JUAN WAUTERS @ THE CUMBERLAND ARMS
Words: Ben Lowes-Smith
Wandering Oak bring another doozy of an international artist to Newcastle’s Cumberland Arms on Wednesday 20th November in the form of Uruguayan-born, Queens-based songwriter Juan Wauters.
Wauters has been releasing his idiosyncratic pop under his own moniker for the best part of ten years, having played in garage bands for years previously. His 2015 album Who, Me? incorporated more Latin American influences than his previous work, and was a vehicle for him to sing in his native Spanish. Subsequent releases have been genrehopping and collaborative, with Wauters’ approach bringing outsider artists like R. Stevie Moore to mind. His most recent album, Real Life Situations, is a sonic tapestry of voice recordings and collaborations from the likes of Mac Demarco, Homeshake and Nick Hakim. It’s an earnest, musically freewheeling record which speaks to the spirit of the imagination as much as it makes plain-spoken observations about the mores of the day.
Support comes from the inimitable chamber
pop of Skydaddy, the project of Rachid Fakhre previously of Spang Sisters, and Osaka Joe’s folk-indebted pop music which is guaranteed to raise a smile and live long in the memory. www.juanwauters.com
STAGE
BRIGHT PLACES @ NORTHERN STAGE
Words: Kate Relton
Award-winning writer Rae Mainwaring brings a brutally honest account of a life lived with chronic illness to Northern Stage on Tuesday 5th November.
Bright Places tells of Rae Mainwaring’s experiences of being diagnosed with MS in her early 20s, exploring her story with her characteristic brand of dark humour.
Described as a one-woman show told through three women – Actor A, B and C – the show is an anarchic, technicolour explosion of 90s pop, costumes and glitter.
Original commissioned by Birmingham Rep, the autobiographical play is supported by Shift.ms, a charity providing a digital community for people living with MS. Accompanying the three month tour of the play, the My Bright Places project offers in-person and online sessions for people with lived experience of MS and other chronic illness, including online check-ins and interactive creative sessions. www.northernstage.co.uk
Juan Wauters by Juan Francisco Sanchez
MUSIC MOONCHILD SANELLY @ COBALT STUDIOS
Words: Isabel Maria Moonchild Sanelly is as cool and exciting as her bright blue hair suggests – she’s an alternative South African electro pop artist described as “the antithesis of average”, and has collaborated with names like Wizkid and Beyonce. Set to play at Cobalt Studios in Newcastle on Friday 15th November, her performance promises a unique and striking blend of countless genres – amapiano, gqom, grime, pop, house and R&B.
Known for her inescapably catchy vocals, remarkable hooks, iconic self-designed style and unmatched energy, Moonchild is an artist that cannot be imitated, or even compared to another. With an outspoken and unapologetic attitude to discussing empowerment, female pleasure and sexual health in her music, the artist is a hugely poignant act not only in her home country of South Africa but across the
whole globe, too.
Joining Moonchild and her larger than life stage presence at Cobalt will be Eyve – a singer, songwriter and rapper who blends hip-hop, trap, jazz and African influences. Similarly to Moonchild, she promotes and prioritises diversity, gender equality, self-expression and social relevance through her work and her performances.
So, if infectious energy and vibrant musical personalities are your thing, Cobalt’s the place to be on Friday 15th November. www.facebook.com/moonchildsa
MUSIC CINDY @ CENTRAL BAR
Words: Michael O’Neill
An iconic bit of Gateshead history, lovingly preserved and brilliantly situated in the visage of the Tyne Bridge, the Central Bar remains a wonderful signifier of our region’s history. However, it has also quietly remained a lifeline
for alternative and experimental live artists for a long while now, and it deserves no end of credit as an asset to the cultural vanguard of the region.
The cracking gig on Tuesday 5th November is a wonderful testament to this, and is another killer booking from the legends at Wandering Oak. Hailing from the San Francisco/Bay Area DIY scene, quartet Cindy have a gloriously vivid sound that immediately recalls the immersive sonics of Galaxie 500 and Mazzy Star, with rich melodies and a hearty dose of reverb being in steady supply. Previous releases have received a raft of acclaim from the likes of Uncut and Mojo, and it’s easy to see why; they don’t deal in mere dream pop pastiche, and they sport a strong command of a good sun-soaked melody and a quality song. Support comes from Glasgow-based L.T. Leif, who declare their unique sound to be “cosmic-country witch-choir”, alongside an opening set from artist J Magill.
www.cindytheband.bandcamp.com
Moonchild Sanelly by Grace Pickering
ART & LIT SPOTLIGHT @ ARTS CENTRE WASHINGTON
Words: Neil Ainger
Spotlight, the annual open exhibition at Arts Centre Washington, invites artists from the North East of all levels of experience, whether they be professional or amateur, working in a range of mediums, including two-dimensional media, sculpture, textile, ceramics, glass and moving image, to submit their work for a chance to be displayed in their gallery space. This year the theme for the exhibition is ‘past reflections and future visions’; a theme inspired by the programme of events that has been running this year to mark 60 years of Washington being designated a New Town in 1964.
An opening event for this celebration of the region’s ingenuity and creativity is scheduled to take place on Thursday 7th November, with the exhibition running until Saturday 21st December. A panel of judges will determine an overall winner, with guests also invited to get involved and leave their feedback both in venue and online. The winning artist will be announced on Saturday 14th December and will receive an exhibition of their own work in 2025.
Spotlight provides a great opportunity to see work that might otherwise not get a platform, and will no doubt reveal interesting perspectives on the town’s heritage. www.sunderlandculture.org.uk
MUSIC CAOILFHIONN ROSE @ THE CLUNY 2
Words: Isabel Maria
Dear fans of music that feels half ancient, half modern – and timeless in full – Manchester’s Caoilfhionn (say ‘Keelin’) Rose is calling your name. Hot off the release of her third album with Gondwana Records, Constellation, Caoilfhionn is heading to Newcastle’s beloved Cluny 2 on Wednesday 20th November for a magical midweek show. 2024 in particular marks a turning point – a coming of age, if you will – within Caoilfhionn’s artistry and confidence; she has claimed her place as a self-described ‘singer-songwriter and musical collage artist’ – and a critically acclaimed one, at that. The artist explores working with modern ideas and technologies to revamp traditional mid-2020s composition. The ten-track epic that is Caoilfhionn’s album Constellation feels like honest evidence of her tremendous knowledge of folk, jazz and 20th Century classic songwriting. The music is built around her grounding piano and ethereal vocals, and when paired with synths, a live rhythm section, ambient samples and downright futuristic production, it crafts a whole new world of sonics for your ears to dive into. The show will be a unique and dazzling delight marking Caoilfhionn’s growth as an artist –and what better place to do it in than her old Newcastle university stomping ground. www.caoilfhionnrose.co.uk
STAGE IN THE SICK OF IT @ ARC
Words: Emily Elliott
Performed at Stockton’s ARC on Wednesday 27th November, In The Sick Of It was created by Northern Irish production company Wake The Beast, who conducted over 500 interviews with NHS and social care staff. Audience members are thrust into the thrilling yet daunting world of A&E and are encouraged to celebrate the efforts of the worn-out staff. Throughout the play’s medical pandemonium, satire and emotive music, there is a continual dedication to writers’ Adam McGuigan and Kemi Coker’s goal: to save the NHS. Wake The Beast seek to amplify underrepresented voices and challenge social issues, venturing into new terrain in a creative and political way, often using unexpected techniques such as magic, drag and puppetry. In The Sick Of It utilises somewhat unsettling techniques to depict the havoc of NHS wards… expect flying chairs!
The production has been shortlisted for the Sit-Up Awards 2024 thanks to its advocation for the wellbeing of healthcare workers, and the play’s comedic lens ensures the serious messages about NHS underfunding is highly accessible for audiences, making it potent in its ability to bring about change. www.wakethebeast.co.uk
Caoilfhionn Rose by Alex Kozobolis
MUSIC
THE BUG CLUB @ THE CLUNY
Words: Cameron Wright
Hailing from Monmouthshire, a quaint county in South East Wales, are a band that is anything but quaint. The Bug Club have started gaining traction across the country, and although their
sound may be peculiar, the praise is not. On its surface, the trio make indie rock music; the guitars are loud, the drums are the driving force and the tracks are all consistently movers. So what is it that makes them so perplexing? I’d argue that it’s how confidently defiant they are, with a sound that is almost begging not to work. The riffs are simultaneously familiar and disjointed, the lyrics are as equally accessible as they are unconventional. There is a humour that arches over The Bug Club that consumes the band without ever even suggesting
parody. Somehow, there’s a sincerity to each song, be it wittering on about James Bond, finding rhymes for marriage or the hunt for a nice tasting pint, that really showcases their character. It’s stupid, but in the most liberating, exciting and joyous way possible.
The Bug Club bring their anarchic silliness to The Cluny on Wednesday 13th November, and you’d be a fool to miss out!
www.thebugclub.bandcamp.com
Man by Julian Buchan
MUSIC CONFIDENCE MAN @ NX NEWCASTLE
Words: Jonathan Coll
Being at a Confidence Man show isn’t definitively the most fun you can have, but it probably comes close. The enigmatic Aussie pop duo have created a stage show to match their incredible charisma, with a recent Glastonbury performance that was described as comfortably one of the best ever seen on The Other Stage.
By the time they touch down for the Newcastle leg of the tour at NX on Saturday 23rd November, the hotly anticipated album 3AM La La La will have arrived. It’s one we can expect to lean heavily into the rave scene, with a recent move to London bringing a renewed focus on UK club culture, and all the fun that comes with it. There’s no venue in the city better prepared for this carnage than NX, which has done a superb job of straddling the line between predominantly electronic and live acts since its makeover a couple of years back. The
production values are excellent, and it’s one of the few soundsystems in the country capable of keeping pace with a setlist which will tear through Boyfriend, Holiday and several other electro/disco/techno bangers. Not one to be missed.
www.confidenceman.com.au
EVENTS DISCOVERY NIGHTS: THE GOOD LIFE @ DISCOVERY MUSEUM
Words: Claire Dupree
We’re firm believers in broadening our horizons, learning new things and opening our minds to new perspectives, so Discovery Museum’s new after-hours events for ‘discerning adults’ has piqued our interest. Their first event is themed around The Good Life, and takes place at the museum on Friday 22nd November. As well as offering an opportunity to poke around their revolutionary
exhibition Steam To Green after-hours, the event also affords access to usually unseen areas including the costume stores. Visitors are encouraged to embrace sustainable living, with a variety of activities to try out and special guests showing off their skills. Highlights include a session with The Cramlington Forager, who will introduce you to plants and fruits that are free for the taking in our hedgerows and parks; Justine Boussard explores the history of cotton through the museum’s historic dresses; there’s demos of solar energy powered by fruit-based solar cells; an opportunity to swap and shop with Making The Space Styling; and mindful crafting with Nature Makers. The marketplace offers stalls from Adorn Jewellery, For The Love Of The North, Hippy Hikers, Spinning Superiority Records, Vintage Revival and more, plus there’s pizza to munch on, festive drinks in the cafe, beer from local micro-brewery StuBrew and DJs Keep It Spinning setting the mood. www.discoverymuseum.org.uk
Confidence
MUSIC KING CREOSOTE @ THE FIRE STATION/ PILGRIMAGE TO THE ISLANDS
Words: Dawn Storey
Goodness only knows how King Creosote – aka Kenny Anderson – goes about choosing his setlists. The Fife-born multi-instrumentalist has released over 100 records during his 25 year career, so exactly how he narrows it down is anybody’s guess. Thankfully the rest of us don’t have to worry about such things and just get to enjoy watching the show – and after a stunning visit to Great Ayton earlier in the year he’s now performing on Holy Island as part of the Pilgrimage to the Islands festival on Friday 8th November, and playing a headline set at Sunderland’s Fire Station on Monday 18th November.
Following a seven year hiatus from ‘official’ recording, Anderson released new album I DES last November; an eclectic treasure trove where his traditional folk influences sit seamlessly alongside more contemporary pop and indie sounds and a clever and intriguing use of samples. His wry humour and onstage chatter
always offsets the gloomier side of his music, in the same way that his uplifting choruses balance out the mournful verses on tunes like Burial Bleak and Marbled Blue Elm Trees. Expect soaring soundscapes and stirringly beautiful songs soaked in the saltwater and haar of the East Neuk, and lyrics akin to poetry which lodge in the soul, delivered in his distinctive Scottish accent with a knowing and roguish twinkle in his eye. www.kingcreosote.com
FILM NORTH EAST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL @ VARIOUS VENUES
Words: Sarah Storer
The North East International Film Festival returns this November, showcasing over 100 films across six locations in Newcastle and North Shields between Friday 22nd-Sunday 24th November.
A mix of over 100 shorts and feature films will be screened, all with a cast and crew Q&A attached. Some of the films to look out for
include: 59, Jenny Dinwoodie’s ode to “nutters, friendship and ageing in style”, filmed at Bowden Doors in Northumberland; Chairs is the first short film to star two BAFTA winning leads, in which a man discusses his peculiar obsession with chairs with his psychiatrist; Twinkleberry is the story of director Daisy Ifama’s “super gay school year”; in Children of the Wicker Man, the sons of the cult film’s director Robin Hardy discover their father’s lost papers and deal with their conflicting feelings. In The Veins uses over a century of archive footage to shine a light onto the face of the mining heritage of Yorkshire and the North East of England; and on a similar theme, The Last Men Standing is the story of coal mining in County Durham. Root Note features a score recorded by Europe’s first majority Black and ethnically diverse Chineke! Orchestra, as four starving plants scavenging to exist in an arid slate mine discover the power of jazz and find a reason to thrive; and Tusky, starring Phil Davis and Felicity Montagu, chronicles retired rhubarb farmer Harry’s vivid and disturbing hallucinations.
With additional workshops and networking events, a film & TV quiz plus a glitzy closing gala, NEIFF is the place to be for all film fans. www.neiff.co.uk
King Creosote by Calum Gordon
MUSIC
OUR GIRL @ THREE TANNERS BANK
Words: Matthew Brown
Indie pop grunge trio Our Girl are set to bring their raw and heartfelt sound to Three Tanners Bank in North Shields on Friday 29th November. The band release their much-anticipated new album The Good Kind on 8th November via Bella Union; the record explores themes of sexuality, relationships, community and illness, all delivered through the band’s mix of warmth, honesty and dynamic indie rock sound. Lead singles like Relief, Something About Me Being A Woman and What You Told Me have already hinted at the emotional depth and energy of the album. Frontwoman Soph Nathan describes the latest and final single from the upcoming album, What You Told Me, as a song about seeing illness affect someone you love, reflecting the heartbreak, comfort and joy found in moments of respite.
The Good Kind was recorded at Rockfield Studios, produced by John Parish (PJ Harvey, Sparklehorse) and Fern Ford (The Big Moon), and is expected to capture the band’s signature heavy guitars, soaring lead lines and intimate vocals. Known for their captivating live shows, Our Girl’s performance in North Shields will be one of the first opportunities for fans to experience the new material, along with their established indie grunge favourites. www.ourgirlband.com
MUSIC
TROPICAL FUCK STORM @ THE CLUNY
Words: Caleb Carter
Primavera 2022 had a stacked line-up. Headlined by Nick Cave, Tame Impala, Gorillaz, Tyler the Creator and a pre-brat Charli XCX, every hour sent triple threats clashing. Best laid plans quickly slipped into a humid merry-goround of bucket list gigs and beer queues and as we waited to watch Pavement, the Estrella snake grew interminable and I drew the short straw – a new quest: three beers, fast. Down by the shore the queue was non-existent. I’d be done in ten. But off on a small stage, slung by a storm of sweat and limbs, four half-naked-half-tie-dye Australians with the stupid name of Tropical Fuck Storm were punching grooves into a car crash, screaming demented hip swings, inventing new permissions for dance, and turning the waves bong green.
For a song I stood in decision paralysis with my hands in lobster claws around cups, swearing the ground had cracked open with red smog and imps. Then they started playing You Let My Tyres Down and I drank all three beers and missed Pavement. If I had to choose again when they play The Cluny on Monday 18th November, I would do the same. www.linktr.ee/tropicalfuckstorm
MUSIC ALTERED IMAGES @ POP RECS LTD.
Words: Matthew Brown
Scottish new wave/post-punk legends Altered Images are set to perform at Pop Recs Ltd. in Sunderland on Saturday 2nd November. The band, fronted by Clare Grogan, found significant success in the early 1980s, quickly establishing themselves as a household name on the UK music scene. With a blend of post-punk edge and mainstream pop appeal, they notched up six UK Top 40 singles and three Top 30 albums between 1981 and 1983.
Altered Images’ string of hits includes fan favourites like Happy Birthday, I Could Be Happy, See Those Eyes and Don’t Talk to Me About Love; tracks that defined a generation of pop music lovers. Following a lengthy hiatus, the group made a triumphant return with their first album in 38 years, Mascara Streakz, released in 2022, which broke into the UK Top 30 and showcased their timeless sound. The band has achieved global success, selling millions of records and topping charts in multiple countries. Their performance at Pop Recs promises a night of nostalgia and energy, where fans can enjoy classic hits alongside their new material in an intimate setting. www.alteredimages.band
On Thursday 21st November, Fertile Ground’s new showcase titled Play, Pause, Repeat comes to Gosforth Civic Theatre. The show will explore themes of love, memory and all the complexities that come with them. The double
bill of performances takes these emotions and sees them performed through the mediums of improvisation, movement and music.
The pieces have been created by former Rambert artist Patricia Okenwa, and awardwinning choreographer Jamaal Burkmar, and have been put together to create a moving showcase about human emotions, led and performed by emerging North East talent who have trained at some of the country’s leading performing arts schools.
Artistic director Renaud Wiser says: “This is an opportunity for audiences to experience the
incredible work of Patricia Okenwa and Jamaal Burkmar, brought to life by our talented company of dancers. Their work resonates deeply with themes of love, memory, and the complexities of human relationships, offering a rich, emotional experience for all.”
It truly promises to be a captivating night of expert dance skills and storytelling, wrapped up in poignant emotions and heartfelt performances by some of the region’s most up and coming dance talent who you’ll want to keep an eye on. www.fertileground.org.uk
How to Decouple in an Ethical Way by Jamaal Burkmar, image by Peter Fannen
MUSIC CHARTS AND GRAPHS
RELEASE ASSUME THE POSITION
Words: Ben Lowes-Smith
Charts And Graphs are a relatively fresh-faced bunch on the scene, forming in the summer of 2021. In spite of their relative freshness, the band have consolidated a direct and clear sound on their album Assume The Position, released on 8th November, which oscillates with its own identity and personality. By their own admission the band have a short shelf-life and want to do as much as they can before they combust; their energetic post-punk vibrating to the point of entropy on the record. Gang Of Four and Talking Heads are obvious reference points, with Charts And Graphs taking both groups’ knack for musical brevity and hammering it into something relentlessly hook-laden. Lead single Said It, Mean It recalls
the breathlessness of John McKeown’s songwriting, while Targets And Timelines is a moodier and more cinematic take on post-punk. Tasteful funk and yacht-rock is explored to success on Wake Up!, reminiscent of Franz Ferdinand’s knack for a widescreen take on the genre.
The band play at Newcastle’s Lubber Fiend on Thursday 12th December in support of the record, with support from the wonderful HMRC, making it a date for the diary for all fans of austere post-punk. www.chartsandgraphs.bandcamp.com
MUSIC
YOUTH SECTOR @ THE GROVE
Words: Laura Rosierse
The Grove in Byker will soon be shaking at its core when exciting alternative rock outfit Youth Sector make their long-awaited return to the North East, with a show at the venue on
Wednesday 27th November. The Brighton band first came to the North East in 2019, playing Newcastle’s Head of Steam, they’re now returning to a venue three times the size and with a few more releases and live shows under their belt. They take their influences from the likes of Devo and Talking Heads and fuse highly energetic hooks with strong vocals and anthemic choruses.
Single The Ball is a personal favourite, and their set at this summer’s Kendal Calling was a frantic and festive taster of what they’ll be bringing to The Grove. Known for their excitable energy and urgent live show, the gig is part of an extensive UK tour which shows how rapidly the band have grown over the past few years. From supporting the Kaiser Chiefs and Goat Girl, to wowing audiences at SXSW and garnering serious acclaim from the likes of Clash, Dork and BBC 6Music, their impressive rise is further proof that it’s always worth catching emerging bands on the up! www.youthsectorband.com
Youth Sector by Pete Ray
ART & LIT
MY NAME IS HARRY, THESE ARE MY PICTURES AND THEY ARE NICE @ NGCA/POP RECS LTD.
Words: Isabel Maria
My name is Harry, these are my pictures and they are nice – British photographer Harry Griffin’s debut exhibition does what it says on
the tin – it’s a collection of pictures (nice ones) that express joy, boredom and all things candid. Hundreds of images make up the exhibition and, through his role as tour manager for many of Britain’s most beloved comedians and performers, Harry is able to capture what is often unseen.
For the photographers out there, Harry is using a Canon Sure Shot 80 Tele camera with Ilford xp2 film for black and white, and Kodak Gold for colour. It’s exciting to see him embrace analogue ways of working, and the unpredictable aspect of developing film. But what’s really special about this collection is that you don’t need to understand any of this
photography speak to enjoy the work – the warmth and humanity comes across regardless.
You can see the work in Sunderland across NGCA’s Collection Space and at Pop Recs Ltd. from Saturday 23rd November-Sunday 2nd March, and there’s even an accompanying interview film between Harry Griffin and Joe Lycett. Curated with Gabrielle Barkess-Kerr and produced in partnership with the Northern Centre of Photography, pop in and see this collection’s charm in the flesh. www.sunderlandculture.org.uk
Action Bronson crowd, Brixton, May 2022. Image courtesy of the artist
STAGE ROUND THE HOUSES @ LAUREL’S
Words: Ben Lowes-Smith
Both Si Beckwith and Gavin Webster have deservedly excellent reputations as stand-up comedians, but their latest project sees them venture into pastures new. Round The Houses is a tender, humorous play reflecting the societal implications of debt and the absurdities of life.
Both Si and Gavin are passionate about nuanced, relatable portrayals of working class life, something which has always been present in their stand-up, and is a primary focus for their transition to stage writing.
Both men have significant comedic chops; Gavin has been performing for over thirty years and has supported the likes of Sean Lock, Kevin Bridges and Jack Dee, performing everywhere from Manchester to Melbourne, Abu Dhabi to Aberdeen. Si has taken solo shows to the Edinburgh Fringe, including the very warmly received Bricks, a show portraying step-parenting and blended families. It seems only right that their multitude of talents should be transferable to other art forms, and Round The Houses promises to be a touching, smart and entertaining projection of working class life from two seasoned writers.
The play will be showcased at Laurel’s in Whitley Bay from Tuesday 19th November-Saturday 7th December; it’s an intimate and value-focused performance space which prioritises stories from marginalised groups, particularly people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. www.laurelswhitley.co.uk
MUSIC HIBUSHIBIRE @ THE LUBBER FIEND
Words: Matt Young Hibushibire, the explosive Osaka-based Japanese psychedelic rock trio, have been making waves on the underground music scene since their formation in 2012. Blending raw, high-energy improvisation with deeply-rooted influences from the acid rock and Krautrock movements of the 60s and 70s, the band delivers a mind-bending fusion of fuzzed-out guitar, driving bass and thunderous drums. They are bringing their wild sound –equal parts chaotic and hypnotic – to The Lubber Fiend on Tuesday 12th November, intent on giving the audience distorted riffs and psychedelic jams, pulling them into a trippy vortex.
The band’s electric soundscapes position them as torchbearers of Japan’s modern psych scene, with a linage stretching back decades. They’ve even been known to whip out a swirling version of the Beatles’ Tomorrow Never Knows live. They’ll be ably abetted in this with support from another threesome, this time hailing from London, as Black Helium will unleash their own aural hallucinatory soundscapes and introspective blissed-out psych on the gathered masses. It all promises to be an exceptional night of auditory and mind-bending pleasure. Strap in! www.hibushibire.bandcamp.com
ART & LIT BOOKS ON TYNE @ VARIOUS VENUES
Words: Sarah Storer
Books on Tyne is back for its 12th year, featuring a variety of seminars and readings. The festival, which runs between Saturday 23rd-Saturday 30th November, is jointly hosted by the Lit & Phil and Newcastle Libraries. Among the highlights are Books, Unpacked: LIVE, which will be the first live recording of James Routledge and Sarah Davy’s podcast exploring the lifecycle of a book; the award-winning Polari LGBTQ+ literary salon features a mix of cabaret and literature, through its four performers’ range of poetry and short stories; in Two Ghost Stories, Robert Lloyd Parry performs two of M.R. James’ masterful ghost stories; geologist Ian Jackson, author of runaway bestseller Northumberland Rocks talks about his new book The Rocks at the Edge of the Empire; Red Squirrel Press poet Tom Kelly and local historian John Grundy have a chat about their individual projects; Joyce Quin and Moira Kilkenny return with the second volume of their stories of astounding North East women; news anchor and foreign correspondent John Suchet reveals his love of Beethoven in his new book; the Northern Crime Syndicate, which features seven successful Northern crime writers, attempt to come up with a best-seller in an hour – with your help!; and the radical publishing collective Northern Fiction Alliance talk about the groundbreaking work of indie publishers. www.booksontyne.co.uk
Gavin Webster and Si Beckwith by Jay Dawson
MUSIC SOTE @ THE LUBBER FIEND
Words: Kate Relton
Returning to the North East with his unique blend of electro acoustic sounds, legendary Iranian musician Ata Ebtekar – better known as Sote – plays The Lubber Fiend this month. Exploring music and abstract sound through
polyrhythms and electronic instrumentation, Sote takes listeners on a twisting journey through his experimental soundscapes. Based in Tehran, Iran, Sote’s immersive sound art has been successfully filling concert halls, clubs and galleries around the world. Sote uses his music to provoke conversation and reflection on the social and political landscape, and how this affects humans and our mental health, manipulating sound to convey deep emotions and explore complex themes. An all-encompassing deep-dive into maximalist electronic music, his latest album Sound
System Persepolis is a dark and intense interrogation of corruption and political oppression in his home country. Designed to have the same visceral bone-shaking impact as standing toe-to-toe with a stack of monitors even when listening at low volume, Sote creates sound art that is meant to be deeply felt.
Sote performs alongside experimental artists Anna Peaker and Stephen Bishop at The Lubber Fiend on Saturday 16th November. www.sotesound.com
Image by Arta Ebtekar & Arash Bolouri
MUSIC WALT DISCO @ ZEROX
Words: Dawn Storey
I first stumbled upon androgynous Glasgow five-piece Walt Disco at Lughnasadh festival in Scotland this summer – and thank goodness I finally did. Having been sadly oblivious to their existence up until that point, I left Forgan Arts Centre completely spellbound by their energetic goth/glam pop rock songs and by the astonishing operatic voice of their smiley, high kicking, flamboyant frontperson, Jocelyn Si. Their 2022 debut Unlearning earned them a nomination for the Scottish Album of the Year Award. Now promoting their second album, The Warping, they have already supported OMD on tour across the UK and Europe this year, and are now taking time out for their own run of shows which includes a stop-off at Newcastle’s Zerox on Friday 29th November. If you like your music dramatic and theatrical, vulnerable and honest, then Walt Disco are the band for you.
Pairing autobiographical lyrics about change, growth, masculinity and gender dysphoria with flourishes of Bowie, T-Rex and Sparks, they come wielding a whole host of earworms just waiting to nestle deep into your brain, like brilliant singles Come Undone and You Make Me Feel So Dumb, as well as performances which promise a whole lot of emotion, but also bursts of unashamed joy. www.instagram.com/waltdisco
MUSIC MAN MAN @ TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION
Words: Nat Greener
Prepare for an electrifying night of experimental rock as Philadelphia-born, Los Angeles-based band Man Man take to the Teesside University Students’ Union stage on Saturday 9th
November.
Promoting their latest album, Carrot On Strings, Man Man’s frontman Honus Honus (né Ryan Kattner) offers a captivating blend of soulful melodies and quirky rhythms, wrapped in a dynamic performance style. Having been rightfully lauded for their intense and groove-heavy live show, their appearance in Middlesbrough is sure to delight fans of raucous performance and infectious rhythms. Opening the evening is Teesside’s own funk pop six-piece Moonwax, with additional local support to be announced.
The gig is being coordinated by Middlesbrough Gigs Association, a new venture bringing live music to the centre of Middlesbrough promoting shows at Middlesbrough Town Hall and Crypt, Teesside Uni and Café Etch, with those involved including promoters The Kids Are Solid Gold and Sofar Middlesbrough, as well as people involved in the much-missed Westgarth Social Club.
www.manmanband.com
Walt Disco
MUSIC
A-SUN AMISSA @ THE CUMBERLAND ARMS
Words: Ali Welford
Manchester-based polymath Richard Knox has a considerable repertoire in experimental music, be it as head honcho of Gizeh Records or his participation in projects such as Shield Patterns, The Rustle of the Stars and Of Thread & Mist. It’s through primary outlet A-Sun Amissa, though, that some of his most absorbing work has surfaced; a vast sonic canvass where droning atmospherics underscore everything from doom and post-rock to ambient jazz and abstract field recordings. Expect the unexpected, then, when this ever-evolving outfit’s latest incarnation returns to Newcastle’s Cumberland Arms on Friday 8th November. Their last visit some seven years back was an immersive marvel, augmenting riveting textures with tranceinducing ceiling projections. If that sounds like your idyllic Friday night fare, you’d be a fool to pass them up!
For further incentives, look no further than an undercard featuring drone accordionist Dawn Terry and earthy improv outfit Skeleton Phone.
The former’s challenging longform pieces fuse gothic, doom-laden tones with a curious spectral beauty, while the latter – featuring members of The Unit Ama, Paper Cut Out and Long Lonesome Go – will be making their overdue live debut. Expect lengthy, mind-expanding jams from a trio whose track record speaks for itself! www.slowsecret.com
MUSIC PILGRIMAGE TO THE ISLANDS @ THE HOLY ISLAND OF LINDISFARNE
Words: Ali Welford
Live music and fresh air surely rank near the summit on any list of escapist reliefs – not least on those rare occasions where the two coalesce. Staged in the stunning surrounds of The Holy Island of Lindisfarne’s Crossman Hall, this alone offers a strong sales pitch for Pilgrimage to the Islands, taking place from Friday 8th-Sunday 10th November, and the calibre of artists making the journey renders
this year’s weekender all the more enticing. Scottish folk legend King Creosote, for instance, tops a tremendous Friday bill, while the following evening witnesses performances from Butler, Blake & Grant (featuring members of Suede, Teenage Fanclub and Love And Money), stellar songwriters turned collaborators Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand, plus Belfast-based Arborist and a solo set from David Scott of Glasgow’s Pearlfishers. With Scouse favourites Mick Head & The Red Elastic Band joining on Sunday, there’ll be almost as many cult figures as there are sea birds! There’s an outstanding roster of local luminaries too, with Hector Gannet, Ceitidh Mac, Imogen & The Knife, Philip Jonathan, Hels Pattison, Frankie Archer, Nev Clay, Lydia Bennett, poet Paul Summers, Martin Stephenson & The Daintees and – since it’d be inappropriate not to have at least one Lindisfarne connection – The Dave Hull-Denholm Band all enriching the weekend’s offerings.
Be sure to check those crossing times… You don’t want to be the next fool in the Chronicle stranded on the causeway in a flooded car! www.facebook.com/pilgrimagetotheislands
A-Sun Amissa
STAGE
DEPARTING AT 18:25 @ THE GEORGIAN THEATRE/THEATRE HULLABALOO
Words: Kate Relton
A showcase event inspired by the bicentenary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway brings dancers from around the world to the North East this month.
Exploring the stories of passengers travelling on the railway since 1825, Departing At 18:25 is part of the Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance (BIFF), which celebrates its 60th anniversary next year.
Following the lives of people through time –from a First World War love story to an emotional tale of the Windrush generation –Departing At 18:25 explores the idea of journeys through a series of human stories. Created using a combination of art forms, the performances see actors, visual artists, dancers and roller-skaters sharing the stage.
Ahead of the festival celebrations next year, organisers are offering audiences a chance to get a sneak peak of what’s in store through two 70-minute taster shows, taking place at Stockton’s Georgian Theatre on Friday 29th November and Theatre Hullabaloo in Darlington on Saturday 30th November.
A show that aims to bring us together through storytelling, Departing At 18:25 explores the idea that no matter where you’re from, every choice you make is part of your journey. www.billinghamfestival.com
MUSIC TARA CLERKIN TRIO @ COBALT STUDIOS
Words: Lee Fisher
The Tara Clerkin Trio have emerged from the wildly experimental and close-knit Bristol underground scene over the past few years with a sound that’s seen them described as jazz, folk, trip-hop, a jam band and more, and their airy, lovely sound has shades of everyone from Arthur Russell to Laika to Don Cherry. Across a handful of releases, they’ve developed a distinctive but broadly-ranging style that’s innovative without being less than charming. They’re coming back to Newcastle this month, returning to Cobalt Studious on Thursday 14th November, for a gig that sees them supported by Hannah James & Toby Kuhn: James is a songwriter and dancer largely working in folk and folk-adjacent circles while Kuhn is a post-classical improvising French cellist, and together they create something very special. The gig is one of the Cobalt’s regular, wonderful Fresh Thursday sessions that offer a couple of intimate acts, a chilled out atmosphere and a delicious veggie meal for a tenner; yet another way the magnificent Cobalt team are making the city a warmer, lovelier place. www.taraclerkintrio.bandcamp.com
MUSIC PORRIDGE RADIO @ THE GROVE
Words: Cameron Wright Porridge Radio broke out in 2021 with their album Every Bad. Their indie hits were as euphoric as they were introspective; there was a familiar meld of big, audience-friendly choruses and curiously sad lyrics accompanied by jangly guitars and punchy vocals. Every Bad was a great success and Porridge Radio have been sited as one of the more potent acts in recent years, brimming with potential.
The new album Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me, released in October, is shaping up to be a more distinct chapter for the band. Songwriter Dana Margolin has talked about how the very track on the record started as a poem, as a way to reconnect with the authenticity of songwriting. In a bid to get back in touch with writing to her best ability, without hiding behind the music, the new record promises to be bold and uncompromising. There’s an honesty amongst the tracks as the album morphs into a critique on artistry, the industry, the realities of burnout, weariness from the road and the need to dive fully into the craft. It’s an immersive and insightful look into the shifting dynamics of the Brighton-based band.
The band come to The Grove, Newcastle on Saturday 23rd November, and promise a night of future indie classics. www.porridgeradio.com
Tara Clerkin Trio by Stephanie Third
MUSIC INTERVIEWS
DU BLONDE
LINSEY TEGGERT TALKS TO BETH JEANS HOUGHTON ABOUT LEANING INTO HER UNHINGED SIDE, COLLABORATING WITH OTHER ARTISTS AND EMBRACING MUSICAL FREEDOM ON HER FOURTH RECORD AS DU BLONDE IMAGE BY DU BLONDE
“A lot of people really hoped I’d fail,” states Beth Jeans Houghton, aka Du Blonde. “Now that’s all passed, I’m in a place where I can do anything, which is really thrilling.” Having entirely self-produced her previous album, 2021’s Homecoming, without any record label execs or industry bods breathing down her neck, Beth is now fully embracing freedom and fun on her triumphant new record, Sniff More Gritty. Even the name itself is something a controlling record label likely wouldn’t have approved, though Beth laughs as she explains that ‘Gritty’ is not some new street drug but a reference to a note she made about a snort that is featured on the anthemic track TV Star when she mentions the money someone has blown on cocaine. “It was a really polite sniff, it had to sound dirtier!”
Sniff More Gritty, her fourth album recorded under the Du Blonde moniker, is bigger and hookier and more colourful than anything Beth has done before. It seems that she is genuinely having a blast as an artist now that she can truly express herself. “I wanted to make the kind of record I wanted to listen to when I was a kid,” she explains. “I was obsessed with theatrical rock like Meatloaf, Dio and David Bowie, but also people like Shania Twain and Britney Spears. I was always drawn to the catchy, fun songs that made me feel something and also made me want to move. I heard someone talk about Britney’s songs once, and they said that if you stripped them back to just acoustic guitar, they’d still be amazing songs. I kept that in mind, and wanted to write songs that even if just played on an acoustic guitar, they’d still be catchy and not rely on all the other stuff, then I can add in all the fun elements afterwards.”
With this record, Beth has succeeded in doing exactly what she set out to do, with infectiously catchy grunge pop tracks that feature huge, hands-in-the air, sing-along choruses. Much like on Homecoming, which featured Garbage’s Shirley Manson and American songwriter Ezra Furman, she has brought some impressive collaborators along for the ride. The folk punk blast Solitary Individual features Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace, while Next Big Thing sees Skunk Anansie’s Skin take on some of those sing-along vocal harmonies.
“I just love collaborations in general. In hip-hop people have guests on tracks all the time, but it’s not really a thing you see so much in rock. They let me lose control of the songs, sometimes in a really interesting way. I like to see where a track will go with someone else.”
One track in particular, Radio Jesus, is elevated by its guest vocalists, who are none other than the North East’s very own Paul Smith (Maxïmo Park) and Ross Millard (The Futureheads), who the Newcastle-born Beth has known for many years. “They both have such good, strong voices, and they’ll probably hate to hear this, but their voices would work really well in a musical,”
A LOT OF PEOPLE’S PERCEPTIONS OF ME ARE REALLY DIFFERENT TO MY PERCEPTION OF MYSELF
she laughs. “The song has that vibe – I don’t know if I’m digging my own grave here – but there are musical theatre elements in there, those big stadium elements. There was so much of that in a lot of the music I grew up with – 70s rock and bands like Queen and The Boomtown Rats. It’s the feeling of euphoria it creates, I explored that on All The Way from Homecoming, and I wanted to play on that more on this record.”
It’s not just sonically where Beth can now celebrate selfexpression, but on a personal level too. You get the sense that she can now completely, unapologetically be herself, and she uses the tracks on Sniff More Gritty to explore the different facets of her personality, both past and present.
“I’ve got ADHD and I’m in the process of getting diagnosed with autism, and one thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of people’s perceptions of me are really different to my perception of myself. I’ll find out in hindsight what someone thought about a situation involving me and I realise that I experienced it in a completely different way. There were a lot of situations when I was younger when I didn’t fit someone’s idea of who they wanted me to be, so I thought I had to change who I was. I know it was very serious at the time but now I can make fun of myself for going so far to change for someone else. In hindsight I’m like, ‘Oh they can just fuck right off.’”
As an incredibly aesthetic artist, one way Beth has been able to empower herself is to play with people’s perceptions of her in the visuals she presents, harnessing the more “unhinged” side of herself. “I had a couple of relationships with very gaslighty people, and it takes a lot to shake me, but it gets to a point where someone has scratched away at you for months or years and you finally snap and then they call you crazy. Looking back on it, yeah, I was fucking crazy in those moments, but why? What made me get to that point? I’ve been trying to analyse that part of myself through the years and I’ve found some pleasure in the music and visuals in really leaning into being that character those two people in particular painted me to be – missing teeth, wild hair, crazy eyes – almost embodying the character of what these people saw in me. It’s very cathartic.”
Du Blonde releases Sniff More Gritty via Daemon TV on 15th November. She plays The Cluny, Newcastle on Friday 24th January.
www.dublonde.co.uk
PETER ALEXANDER JOBSON
LAURA ROSIERSE CHATS WITH THE NORTHUMBRIAN SONGWRITER AND I AM KLOOT CO-FOUNDER ABOUT HIS DEBUT SOLO ALBUM
Northumberland-born artist Peter Alexander Jobson is best known for his work with I Am Kloot, but it’s likely that his solo work will soon speak for itself. His debut solo album Burn The Ration Books Of Love has been in the making for at least fifteen years; the songs he wrote for it summarise his journey within music, from the North East to Manchester and London, and it’s this new voice that’s an exciting prospect.
Peter went to college at the West End’s creative hub The John Marley Centre: “One of the fellows that taught us a music industry lesson was Martin McAloon, from Prefab Sprout. We were taught by quite a lot of people who were actually doing it!” While studying for a music degree in Manchester, his education continued both in and out of the classroom: “I started working at music venue Night & Day, and Guy Garvey used to work in a venue across the road.” At Night & Day Peter also met John, with whom he started I Am Kloot; Manchester truly was the breeding ground for bands, collaborations and tight friendships. Peter became, and still is, great friends with Elbow’s Guy Garvey, and both musicians have used each other as sounding boards over the years. “I’ve always consulted Guy on the music I was doing, and at the time nobody had any money, so we’d always share and do things together. Now, Guy and I both live in London, and it’s great having my best buddy just up the road. He’s an expert in so many areas, and I got a lot of confidence from him!”
The songs that have ended up on Peter’s debut album were written years ago: “I’d been writing songs for a while; for I Am Kloot Johnny wrote all the songs, so they weren’t the right fit for the band. It’s been more than fifteen years since I actually came around to doing the solo thing!” I wondered why it took him so long? “I’ve done a lot of session work, and I’ve done tours with
IT’S BEEN MORE THAN FIFTEEN YEARS SINCE I ACTUALLY CAME AROUND TO DOING THE SOLO THING!
people playing, I’d always written things, and when I got into writing songs for TV and film, I was giving a remit of what I needed to write about, I did quite a bit of that and I found that when you get given a remit of what to do it removes the whole blank page. It makes it easier to get stuck into it, and also when collaborating, I got used to doing it and got more sure of what I wanted to say. The idea and the images came a lot easier. It gave me confidence, and encouraged me to do my own thing.”
His sound combines elements of soulful jazzy soundscapes with simple string-driven compositions and his soaring soft voice. On his debut album we hear all the influences that have shaped him as a musician and a person, with hints of Leonard Cohen on Mountain, theatrical keys on Taxi Supplies, and a gorgeous wandering folk ballad style on Please Please Please. When considering how his musical journey has brought him to this moment, Peter says: “I suppose I figured out who I was really. It’s like with singing, I’ve got a low voice, but I’m not a great singer. Finding my own voice and why I wanted to do things really helped, essentially I kind of talk in a tune. That is my identity, that is what I do, I can kind of grow things out of it.”
Peter Alexander Jobson releases Burn The Ration Books of Love on 15th November.
www.peteralexanderjobson.co.uk
GAYDAR
WE’RE A POLITICAL BAND AND WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT POLITICAL ISSUES
MACK SPROATES CHATS TWERKING, POLITICS, MISSING KIDNEYS AND THEIR UPCOMING EP WITH NEWCASTLE PUNK TRIO GAYDAR
Dirt punk queers Gaydar are gearing up to launch their anarchic, highly anticipated EP Don’t Talk About The War. Renowned for their live shows full of chaos and kissing, Gaydar are inspired by the likes of Soft Play, IDLES and Amyl and the Sniffers. They have an incredibly raw, face-melting, grungy sound, self-described as “Radgie”, “Slay”, “A lot of shouting. Danceable but also dirt.”
Made up of guitarist, vocalist and “full time twerker” Riley, drummer and “opera singer in the band” Rachel, and bassist and “backing shouty stuff” Mel, the origins of Gaydar are just what you’d imagine: “We found Mel in a bin outside Wetherspoons,” explains Rachel. “Nah wasn’t Wetherspoons… I’ve got class!” protests Mel. Riley and Rachel had known each other from previous music collaborations, but then met Mel through work, where they bonded over celebrating genderaffirming healthcare. “United by sexiness,” confirms Riley. Don’t Talk About The War is a fireball of an EP; politicallyedged, loud, high-energy and packed with explosive riffs, fuelled by rage and stuffed with in-your-face lyrics. I was blown away by the massive noise this unforgiving EP provides, never letting up, refusing to give in.
Opening track War Whore belts out fury at the Gaza genocide. Mel explains: “We’re a political band and we want to talk about political issues.” Riley adds: “We wanted to make sure it was right before we threw it out there because we felt so strongly about it.”
Next up is one of the greatest song titles ever, Jan Got Her Tits Done In Turkey, in which Rachel explains a wild story of a friend. “She went to get her mammary glands done in Turkey, and they said they’re going to remove some fat from her back,
and put her under, and then they stole her kidney! She was rushed to hospital and they were like… well your kidney’s gone. Massive mammary glands though.”
Aquarius is “about misogyny and gatekeeping in the music industry. It’s another radgie tune with a dirty riff and some powerful messages in there”, while final track Sweating Like A Bitch is a musical maelstrom on anxiety. “It’s quite strippeddown lyrically, it’s got a doomy breakdown in the middle.” And it also has an exciting music video in the making. “It’s just us being ourselves at our core.”
It’s clear that Gaydar love using their platform to voice things that matter to them, and we discussed what the music industry could be doing to better support queer voices. Mel explains: “A lot of the time it’s going to be straight white men who are dealing with this sort of stuff, and whether it’s implicitly or explicitly, you’re always going to have these biases for people who look like you or seem like you. It’s just about getting more promoters who are queer or trans, getting more people in record labels, in every sort of position.” Riley adds: “When we’re putting on shows we collaborate with other queer people, not even just in music either, in art and stuff like that. It’s just coming together really.”
Things are looking super exciting for Gaydar. “The more time goes on we’re just getting to play with really cool people, and going to some cool places,” Riley explains. “We just love it so much, and it’s just like what’s next?”
Gaydar release Don’t Talk About The War on 1st November. www.linktr.ee/gaydarband
Image by Andi Talbot
MR BIGFOOT
DAVID SAUNDERS DISCOVERS HOW FEELINGS OF ALIENATION AND FRUSTRATION HAVE RESULTED IN CATHARSIS ON THE TEESSIDE QUARTET’S NEW EP
Remember the good old days under Tory rule and the lack of opportunity it brought? If for whatever reason you’ve forgotten, then the Teesside alt. rock quartet Mr Bigfoot certainly hasn’t and are set to refresh your memory with their new EP, Mr Bigfoot II.
The band create atmospheric soundscapes and loud fuzzy riffs that lie somewhere between grunge and shoegaze, as the band’s singer, songwriter and producer Kie Davies explains: “The grunge elements stem back to our teen years where we would just be angsty kids listening to Nirvana. Something about the big heavy riffs and aggressive vocals really spoke to us... As far as the shoegaze elements, there’s something about the idea of playing with big textures that really appeals to us. A wall of sound to dissociate to is almost therapeutic and we aimed to capture that element in our music.”
The inspiration behind their songs reflects the lost generation who were brought up on the dream of ‘work hard and you’ll succeed’ only to grow up and realise it was without substance. “We try to take a different approach every time we take on a new project. This time around it stems from the frustration of 20-something year-olds struggling with the meritocracy myth. We went to school, we did everything we were told to do, we were promised the world. Now we get there and the world is burning down instead.” Kie continues. “The new EP explores ideas of wasting your potential, a struggle with identity and the state of the world. Ultimately, the new songs are a cathartic scream into the void about the current state of affairs.”
Mr Bigfoot II kicks off with the anthemic and expansive The Madman’s Window, with its big beats, gorgeous guitars and heartfelt vocals, before heading into the more sombre, spacious and soulful sounds of Untitled 2. Unnatural Selection brings the tempo up with its indie disco beats and Test Icicles-esque vocal delivery before the crunchy, punchy T.R.A.H.R. and snappy, riff-heavy Wasted finish the EP in catchy chorus style. You can
MUSIC
THE NEW SONGS ARE A CATHARTIC SCREAM INTO THE VOID ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS
hear their grunge influences, such as Sonic Youth, Soundgarden, My Bloody Valentine, but sonic qualities and vocal delivery in the songs add subtle afternotes of nineties indie bands like Manic Street Preachers, Muse and The Verve, as well as more modern psych sounds akin to Tame Impala. As well as the production, which was done by Kie (with additional work by Steven Bardgett) at Green Dragon Studios in Stockton, the EP is tied together by the sincerity in the message that drives the music, as well as the desire to connect with an audience that has shared the band’s experiences. Kie adds: “Music has and always will be the purest art form which allows people to express their anger at a messed up unjust system. It’s one form of art and media which gives the artist and audience a chance to connect with one another and feel as if they are heard. That’s why music is so powerful and we hope our songs will resonate with those who feel the same way as us.”
With a new Labour government, I finish by asking if the band are hopeful of positive change:
“From the looks of things, this new Labour government doesn’t seem to be doing anything to make things better so maybe we’ll have more material for another EP soon.”
Mr Bigfoot II is released on 8th November. They play The Georgian Theatre, Stockton on Saturday 16th November. www.mrbigfoot.co.uk
Image by Liane Hall
THE CRAMLINGTON TRAIN WRECKERS
CHLOE GLOVER TALKS TO NORTHUMBRIAN PLAYWRIGHT ED WAUGH ABOUT HIS NEW PRODUCTION WHICH SPOTLIGHTS A REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF STRIKING MINERS
Northumberland-born writer Ed Waugh is a true people’s playwright. A champion of working class histories, he has helped bring to the stage forgotten and entertaining stories of what he describes as “ordinary people doing extraordinary things”, from WWI female footballers and a miner-turnedchampion rower, to a bard of Tyneside. His latest play, The Cramlington Train Wreckers, spotlights the true story of striking miners who accidentally derailed the Flying Scotsman during the country’s national strike, almost a century ago.
“I wanted to write a play about the General Strike for the centenary in 2026,” explains Ed, whose nine date tour starts, fittingly, in Cramlington on Thursday 7th November. “When I read about the Cramlington train wreckers in Margaret Hutcherson’s book Let No Wheels Turn: The Wrecking of the Flying Scotsman, I discovered that the person who turned against his fellow miners in court was Lyle Waugh. Was I related to him? Researching my family tree said I wasn’t, but my interest in the subject was truly piqued.”
A series of well-attended regional talks hosted by Ed and his team on the true event proved the catalyst for the creation of the play, which stars a tight-knit team of three actors; Russell Floyd, who also directs it, Mickey Cochrane and Alex Tahnee. Seen through the eyes of Bill Muckle, one of eight Northumberland miners imprisoned for the derailment of a train on 10th May 1926 (and who also wrote an autobiography of his experiences, No Regrets), it takes place during the nine day General Strike. “Around 40 striking miners, fed up with living in poverty, no statutory holiday pay and under threat from a 40 per cent wage cut, took up a rail with the intention of waving down and stopping a blackleg coal train they felt was undermining the strike. Unfortunately, they accidentally derailed a passenger train, in which thankfully no one was killed,” explains Ed.
WERE THEY TERRORISTS OR WERE THEY, IN THE CONTEXT OF A POLARISED SOCIETY, PEOPLE TRYING TO DEFEND COMMUNITIES AND THEIR JOBS?
“What they did could have been mass murder, but we need to understand why they did it. Were they terrorists or were they, in the context of a polarised society, people trying to defend communities and their jobs?”
The relevance of the play’s context to contemporary society was not lost on Ed. “The General Strike has tremendous parallels to today. The rich were getting richer and holding onto their money, the value of wages for working people was going down, money was being used to fight wars instead of improve society for the many and there was a flu epidemic.”
Like his other plays written with friend and fellow playwright Trevor Wood, the play hopes to leave a positive community legacy behind. “Involving communities is integral to our work,” muses Ed. “Previously, we’ve had blue plaques erected and supported community projects. This time, Cramlington Learning Village are going to put on an exhibition in conjunction with the play and Cramlington Choir will sing folk protest songs on the opening night.”
Documenting working class histories will continue to remain at the forefront of Ed’s creative drive, who has plenty of other ideas up his sleeve for the future.
“I’m a proud Geordie journalist. I love the people here and we’ve got great stories. Unfortunately history has focused on teaching us about kings and queens, but what excites me is working class history and the ordinary people who have done extraordinary things. They may have regional roots but their stories transcend the North East. All I want to do is be a conduit for these people.”
Cramlington Train Wreckers is performed at Cramlington Learning Village (7th November); The Glasshouse, Gateshead (8th November); Bishop Auckland Town Hall (9th November); Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham (10th November); The Witham, Barnard Castle (12th November); Playhouse Whitley Bay (13th November); The Alnwick Playhouse (14th November); Gosforth Civic Theatre (15th November); and Westovian Theatre, South Shields (16th November). www.cramlingtontrainwreckers.co.uk
Image courtesy of The Working Class Movement Library
CRAIG CLARK
BEN LOWES-SMITH TALKS TO SONGWRITERS CRAIG CLARK AND COLLABORATOR JOHN EGDELL ABOUT THEIR CATHARTIC NEW RELEASE
Bite The Modern World is the second album from Craig Clark, following the lush, melancholic Sometimes Bewilder. The Newcastle songwriter’s new album is a more widescreen affair, and what Craig refers to as “a tribute to my younger self”. I meet Craig and collaborator John Egdell on a sunny Autumnal day in the Free Trade, with its views of the city echoing the cinematic quality of Craig’s music.
“Arguably, the first record was contemporary experiences,” muses Craig, “and I could put a bit of distance between myself and the subject matter.” John interjects: “On this one it seems to me that you’ve figured out your art form and you’re using it to work yourself out more.”
Craig’s songs are a tonal mix, but often augmented through an allegorical lens. “You’ve got The Late Show and Born Standing Up, which are kind of loosely about Kurt Cobain and Steve Martin respectively. These are people who influenced me massively in my formative years. With The Late Show the idea was ‘what if Kurt Cobain could come back for a day and meet his daughter?’ - that was quite a romantic idea for me.”
Outside of allegory, Craig’s lyrics are deeply personal.
Colosseum Of Big Dreamers is a Wilco-ish meditation on poor mental health, and the lilting torch song June, July And August, reminiscent of Bill Ryder Jones at his most heartbroken, takes very specific imagery from Craig’s formative years to make a recognisable tapestry of a wasted youth. “I think when I was writing the first album I was obsessed with saturating my brain with as much as possible, but I’m a lot more at ease now, and a lot happier to project myself more. I’ve got more personal; these songs are about things that have happened in my past, I’ve got a strong sense of being on the school fields, putting my favourite shirt on and going out with the lads, that sort of thing. It’s less scary to make the songs more personal.”
John notes: “Craig is very good at writing about a specific
THESE SONGS ARE ABOUT THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN MY PAST. IT’S LESS SCARY TO MAKE THE SONGS MORE PERSONAL
personal situation that comes out with just enough metaphorical quality and abstraction to make it broadly applicable.”
John has a thoughtful perspective on the first record: “We didn’t really know what we were doing and it formed itself. There’s much more of an intention with these songs; Chris [McManus] who produces us, really understands what we want and helps us build the songs in a way which suits us. He loves helping us build outros which can take a real left turn!” Interestingly, Craig’s band is comprised of John, James Bowmaker, Barry Mitcheson and Johnny Scott – three quarters of progressive doom metal band Kylver. This record has been made more with a band in mind than previously. “Treatments and arrangements have been very conscious. The frame of reference from the lads in Kylver have been really interesting; Barry is a very different drummer to anyone we’ve had previously. There was something of a slow gestation period and everything feels quite deliberate. With us, when you’re layering melody on melody on melody there is a chance of over-egging it.”
Both John and Craig espouse a happiness with the record, and there’s a somewhat candid moment where John asks Craig if he’s feeling the benefits of the cathartic process. “Not yet!” half jokes Craig. “It’s an ongoing process. Isn’t it for everybody?”
Craig Clark launches Bite The Modern World at The Cluny 2, Newcastle on Friday 22nd November. www.linktr.ee/craigclarkmusic
Image by Natalie Clark
WAVES FESTIVAL
IF YOU LIKE…
TOP-NOTCH HEADLINERS
When it comes to getting exciting names to head the bill, Waves never disappoints, and this year is no different. Bringing the event to a close in the best way possible will be one-half of Last Shadow Puppets and indie icon Miles Kane, Liverpool’s brass-fuelled indie outfit Red Rum Club and local hero and talented songwriter Tom A. Smith.
A CRACKING SELECTION OF VENUES
Sunderland has a fantastic music scene and that is partly due to the city’s amazing music venues, many of whom are part of this year’s Waves Festival. Sunderland’s flagship venue The Fire Station, nightlife centrepiece Independent, record shop/venue and community space Pop Recs Ltd., music hub The Bunker and bar/event spaces The Ship Isis and Diego’s return to this year’s event. They will be joined by two new additions in the form of a couple of well-loved staples in the Sunderland music scene, The Museum Vaults and The Ivy House.
COLLABORATION
Waves is a connected festival due to its focus on partnering with local promoters and organisations to programme artists for the festival. Helping curate some of this year’s line-up are Sunderland’s punk and hardcore champions Serial Bowl Records and esteemed regional promoter Portions For Foxes. There will also be a
MUSIC
WORDS: DAVID SAUNDERS
The North East has its fair share of multi-venue all-day music festivals but one of the new kids on the block, Waves, is also carving out a reputation as one of the most vibrant and exciting. Emerging from a resurgent Sunderland music scene, and brought to life through the dynamism and hard work of Independent promoter Ben Richardson, Waves is now in its fourth year and will be a thoroughly enjoyable day that showcases the talent and infrastructure of the ‘Music City’. Waves Festival takes place at various venues in Sunderland on Saturday 16th November. www.wavessunderland.com
stage from BBC Music Introducing who will programme a stage of their hottest regional tips, as well as choices from the people behind Stockton Calling, who will be sending over three Teesside artists as part of a Sunderland-Stockton swap programme between the two festivals.
THE BEST LOCAL AND TOURING TALENT
Aside from the ethos, the venues and the collaborative approach, what really makes Waves great is the top-notch line-up that includes the best and brightest from the North East and further afield. The plethora of talent includes Yorkshire’s riotous Big Break, Newcastle indie popsters Cat Ryan, Sunderland songwriter Celadore, synth-pop duo CHAT, high-octane act Dead Stilettos, Teesside grunge quartet Dossers, Leeds’ disco divas Galaxians, Wearside emo rockers Hivemind, regional post-punks Houseproud, local racket makers Dead Wet Things, North West alt. duo Dirty Blonde, Sheffield music makers Forum Friends, Sunderland songsmith Isabel Maria, electro pop lovelies Look Terrified, Geordie wordsmith Kay Greyson, Middlesbrough’s queer pop artist Loren Heat, two of Hartlepool’s indie heroes Marketplace and Michael Gallagher, Teesside punks Onlooker, dreampoppers Oslo Twins, rock rebels Precious Ink, punk rockers Sanction This, Tees rapper Shakk, garage duo The Sewer Cats, Sheffield-based art pop six-piece Work In TV and many more.
Miles Kane
Tom A. Smith
Dirty Blonde
WEATHERSHIP
DAVID SAUNDERS TALKS TO THE TEESSIDE BAND ABOUT THEIR RICHLY REALISED DEBUT ALBUM
Teesside alt. indie outfit Weathership came together off the back of previous projects working together, including The Broken Broadcast, Methodical Beast and lead singer Jim’s solo project (J.P. Riggall), and have since spent the past couple of years refining their self-described “hook-laden atmospherics and smouldering melodic storytelling”. After a year of releasing singles offering us a glimpse into their musical world, the quintet are finally set to drop their debut album, Splendid Beast, this month.
The album is a collection of songs rich in ethereal melody and warm in tone, with notes of bands such as The Boxer Rebellion, Elbow and Radiohead being carried on the sonic breeze. The music elevates you, allowing you to gaze wondrously upon the expansive and evocative soundscapes of songs such as Golden Age, with its juxtaposition of foreboding verses and euphoric chorus, New Occupation, with its frantic jazzy rhythms, poppy guitar and soaring vocals and The Swimmer, complete with gospel beats, lingering licks and tender delivery.
The themes of the album come from the far reaches of Jim’s consciousness, as he explains: “In 2017 I had hypnosis, trying different avenues to deal with anxiety. One of things I remember was this big being of entity taking over and trying to look after everyone. So that’s the Splendid Beast; the big eagle is the watcher who looks over the weather ship and its crew. The songs I wrote were all centred around this crew and their stories. Think Jaws when they’re around the table or the discussions about the entity in The Thing.”
Musically, however, the inspirations are much more from this world, as guitarist Snowy explains: “From a guitar point of view, I pick up on little things I hear in the music I listen to. For a while, I was listening heavily to Dire Straits and I think a few of those Mark Knopfler techniques made it onto the record. But then I’ll switch what I’m listening to and other things will start
IN 2017 I HAD HYPNOSIS, TRYING DIFFERENT
AVENUES TO DEAL WITH ANXIETY. ONE OF THINGS I REMEMBER WAS THIS BIG BEING OF ENTITY TAKING OVER AND TRYING TO LOOK AFTER EVERYONE. SO THAT’S THE SPLENDID BEAST
to trickle in. It’s kind of like a distillation of different techniques but always focusing on good tone and lots of delay.”
The record will be released via Jim’s own label Bear Love Records in collaboration with Darlington label Butterfly Effect. I ask Snowy how that collaboration came about and about the importance of indie labels for North East artists. “I think it’s vitally important for bands to have avenues to release work that is independent of the main music labels. It takes a great deal of hard work to fund these types of albums, but to be able to put it out with the help of Butterfly Effect is a godsend. For us, it’s about getting the songs out there and they provide an avenue for us to do that. We’re immensely proud of this release and without Butterfly Effect’s help it wouldn’t be released.”
To celebrate the launch of Splendid Beast the band will be performing a headline show at The Georgian Theatre in Stockton on Friday 15th November. Guitarist Nick tells us what we can expect from the performance. “It’s going to be a chance for people to see that Weathership can put on a show. From the lighting and staging to a playlist of sounds and songs, especially curated by the band, to help keep the energy of the night simmering.”
Weathership launch Splendid Beast at The Georgian Theatre, Stockton on Friday 15th November. www.weathership.co.uk
Image by Adam Littlemore
CHARLOTTE FORMAN
DAMIAN ROBINSON TALKS TO THE DURHAM-BASED ARTIST ABOUT AUTHENTICITY, HONESTY AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS ON HER LATEST EP
Personifying the traits of bravery and boldness, Hear Me – the new EP from Charlotte Forman – is a genuine investigation into what it means to be truly authentic. Combining strong elements of jazz and soul, the focus of Hear Me is an intentional reflection on how it feels to be an artist keen to put their art before anything else.
“I’ve really tried to focus the EP onto the songs rather than anything else,” confirms Forman when we catch up. “I wanted to release a body of work which talked about my journey from the very start to where I’d like to be at the end. I keep journals and vision boards and so even though I can’t say for definite where I will be with this EP and what comes after it, I’m sure of where I’d like to be.”
Forman’s career path so far has taken her to some interesting places, from viral TikTok videos to earning somewhat unexpected acclaim singing in public spaces (including supermarkets!). Recent support from Youth Music’s NextGen Fund has focused her attention on what she does best: singing and songwriting.
Taken over some deeply emotive ideas and themes – “I’m inspired by singers who bring authenticity and their personal experiences to their songs and I’m trying to do the same,” she admits – Hear Me is a poppy, soulful set of songs taking clear inspiration from artists like Adele and soul singers like Sam Smith.
Recent single Follow Me Down To The River is an upbeat, jazzy track which stands out on an EP where the vocals, rather than any production, are pushed to the front and centre of the art. “I really wanted to make my singing the main focus across the EP. The production pushes my vocals and lyrics to the front of the mix in a combination that really tries to push everything to
WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER AND WE ALL NEED GOOD MUSIC WITH STRONG MESSAGES. I JUST HOPE I CAN ADD TO THAT
the back, apart from the stories. I really find personal connections are the most important and interesting aspect of songwriting and everything else – like what you wear, or what shape you are – is a distraction and totally unimportant.”
Piano-driven Pinch Of Salt, with its 1990’s style gentle R&B flavour and soaring unfiltered vocals reflects a different style for Forman, and another aspect of her diverse EP sound. “I tend to start most songs on a piano, which I enjoy as it helps focus on the song, the melody and the feel. There’s various transitions the song then passes through as it works into production, so it’s interesting to hear where the songs go and where they end.”
Taking to a couple of different venues for the launch of Hear Me, including a show at Newcastle’s Globe on Thursday 12th December, Forman’s focus is currently moving from the recording process to the performance stage. “To be honest, I can’t wait for the EP to be out there and to get on stage and perform the songs. These songs are about where I am now and what I’ve been through to get here. Every day has something to look forward to, and I want to take that energy and play the type of music that I enjoy and that I think moves people. We all need each other and we all need good music with strong messages. I just hope I can add to that.”
Charlotte Forman releases Hear Me on 15th November. www.linktr.ee/charlotteforman
BOUNDARIES FESTIVAL MUSIC
AS BOUNDARIES FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR ITS FOURTH EDITION, LEE FISHER CHATS TO PROMOTER GRAEME HOPPER ABOUT THE REMARKABLE, GLOBAL BILL HE’S BRINGING TO SUNDERLAND
Boundaries has somehow survived a global pandemic, a ridiculous storm and all manner of logistical problems to take place for the fourth time this November, and once again Graeme Hopper (for it really is a one-man show) is somehow bringing a world-class bill of essential and exciting names to Sunderland for the cost of a scabby late-night-drunk-decision pizza. And – as is always the case with Hopper – his enthusiasm remains undimmed for this astonishing event he’s built in the heart of an oft-overlooked city.
One of the first things you notice about this year’s remarkable bill is how fully global it is. “Every year, the festival becomes more dynamic and diverse, and this year’s line-up is truly something special.” Hopper enthuses. “This year’s programme is a deep mix of original performers travelling from all over the world to perform exclusively in Sunderland. Artists from Mexico, Iran, Norway, Scotland, Turkey, Taiwan, Ireland, Syria, America and all across England.”
Hopper admits that keeping so many plates spinning – working mostly alone – is challenging, but the combination of an amazing line-up and some pride in his hometown keeps him motivated. “Navigating the complexities of different countries’ regulations and ensuring everyone has the right paperwork has had its very stressful moments. But despite the hurdles and sleepless nights, I like to think Boundaries continues to scale new heights, offering something for everyone while staying true to its ethos of exploring the fringes of adventurous, curious, exciting and good fun music and art. It’s thrilling to have everything from modern cutting-edge experimental methods, pioneers of their style, deeply rooted cultural expressions and new emerging groups all in one place.“
The bill for the three previous festivals has been incredible enough – from Sly & The Family Drone to Rhodri Davies and local heroes Bad Amputee and Bulbils – but this year the festival really has outdone itself and Hopper is positively vibrating with
THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME IS A DEEP MIX OF ORIGINAL PERFORMERS TRAVELLING FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO PERFORM EXCLUSIVELY IN SUNDERLAND
anticipation.
There’s Arnold Dreyblatt for starters – nobody’s idea of a household name but nonetheless a highly regarded musician and composer who came through the US minimalist scene in the eighties and has collaborated with everyone from Ex-Easter Island Head to Megafaun. “Having been a massive fan of Arnold Dreyblatt since I was teenager it’s quite surreal and incredibly exciting for me to know he’ll be performing a very rare one off UK show five minutes from my house!”
“I’m also super thrilled to experience Iranian Rojin Sharafi’s wonderful contemporary take on electronica and sound design,” Hopper continues, “then there’s the two female Mexican performers Concepcion Huerta and Gibrana Cervantes, who blend beautiful dissonant classical strings alongside deep dynamic noise and electronic manipulations. Other notable mentions are Syrian musician Mohammad Syfkhan and the European debut performance of avant jazz duo, Black Decelerant too… But as cliched as it is, each performer on the bill offers something genuinely unique and remarkable. I can’t wait for everyone to experience what we’ve put together this year, while feeling welcomed and inspired.”
Boundaries Festival takes place at Pop Recs Ltd. and The Peacock, Sunderland on Friday 22nd-Saturday 23rd November, with an after party at The Dun Cow on Saturday 23rd. www.boundariesfest.com
L-R, T-B: Rojin Sharafi by Igor Ripak, Concepcion Huerta by Pablo Peña, Mohammad Syfkhan
SAFE SPACES IN COMEDY
EMILY ELLIOTT TALKS TO RHIAN JADE AND NICOLA MANTALIOS ABOUT THEIR EVENTS WHICH SEEK TO INCREASE SAFE SPACES FOR MARGINALISED GROUPS
Rhian Jade is the artistic director of theatre company SoreSlap, whose LGBTQ+ and global majority sketch night, Sketch Slap, showcases drama, drag, comedy and poetry. Comedian and mentor Nicola Mantalios hosts Queers & Beers, Newcastle’s only regular queer comedy night. Witnessing discrimination motivated the pair to advocate for safe spaces in their respective fields. Having overheard a couple of audience members calling a gay kiss onstage “perverse”, Rhian felt the need to respond. “Stories about the life experiences I’ve had weren’t on stage. That really got me thinking about what my voice is actually doing for my community. What should be shown to us as ‘normal’, how do we change that narrative to an accepting one? I would like to be at the core of telling the truth.”
Nicola’s experiences on the comedy circuit echo Rhian’s. “When you’re performing as a comedian there’s so much vulnerability. You’re trying to evoke a very niche human reaction, and you’re working really hard. Then you have to navigate the feeling of someone throwing rocks at you. People have asked if they can perform on our stage because they don’t know where else to go, that’s why it’s important to have these safe spaces, there’s no feeling that someone’s going to punch down.”
For Rhian, safe spaces are for education; they reflect on a time when their cis male friends attended one of their gigs: “They didn’t realise that I had to have these exhausting conversations [about being trans] all the time. It’s little things like this which will change their interactions with the next queer person they
WHAT SHOULD BE SHOWN TO US AS ‘NORMAL’, HOW DO WE CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE TO AN ACCEPTING ONE?
meet.”
Rhian explains that SketchSlap is all about relationship development. “The industry is so toxically full of comparisons and expectations. We are able to bring someone who has done one performance together with someone who has done a hundred performances. Many have said it’s the safest space they’ve ever been involved in.”
At Queers & Beers, Nicola has fostered an equally receptive and “completely literate” audience. “Trans acts can get straight into their material rather than using energy and time to justify how they exist and then tell jokes.”
Rhian’s work also extends to neurodivergent individuals. “We don’t say ‘it’s great that people with ASD can say those things and have this space’. They’re great shows because these people are human beings and they’re artists in their own right.”
Nicola’s mentoring work has also been a haven for neurodivergent comedians, and her Babes In Arms gigs provide a “safe space for babies and parents who are tired but still want to be connected to the arts”.
Both Rhian and Nicola are emphatic about their events being crucial development grounds for artists just starting out. “We don’t care about perfection. We care that someone gets some development, some new ideas and inspiration.” Rhian explains. Nicola adds: “We want to say ‘here’s your path, here’s your microphone and stage. Let’s see what you’ve got’.”
Sketch Slap’s next event takes place at Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle on Tuesday 26th November. The next Queers & Beers takes place at The Old Coal Yard, Newcastle on Thursday 5th December.
L-R: Rhian Jade, Nicola Mantalios by Andy Hollingworth
THIEVES OF LIBERTY
DAMIAN ROBINSON DISCOVERS THE EPIC DEBUT ALBUM FROM A SUNDERLAND BAND DETERMINED TO MAKE AN IMPACT
WE WANTED TO MAKE A REAL STATEMENT AND SOMETIMES YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO DO THAT
Strapping themselves to a rocket bound for the rock universe, the debut album from Thieves of Liberty, Shangri-La, sees the Sunderland collective land on various rock-genre planets in search of their own unique sound and space.
Finding themselves often in the realm of ‘hard rock’, Shangri-La is a brutal album by the North East-based quintet. Spiky, riffy and filled with destructive attitude, this is the work of serious artists taking considered time to perfect their craft. “It certainly was the case that some of us were perfectionists when we recorded the album,” the band laugh when we catch up, “we wanted to make a real statement and sometimes you only get one chance to do that.”
Spread out over 12 tracks, Shangri-La certainly makes a statement; from the crushing 1990’s Sunset Strip riffs of the title track, to the epic November Rain rock tale of Luminescent Daydream and the maxed-out 90’s FM rock radio banger
Casual Tragedy, the album provides a true destination for classic rock greatness. Fresh, intense and full of original ideas and production, Shangri-La is an epic debut.
“We wanted to do a few things with the record,” they confirm, “we wanted to take our time and perfect our songs whilst making the record sound like these were fresh first or second takes and have the energy you can feel when they are played live. And we wanted to record one of the greatest debut albums.” High stakes indeed.
Complete with epic album artwork and visuals, Shangri-La is a full visual and auditory piece of work; the art encapsulating the sound and vice versa. Limited edition signed albums, cased with the Thieves of Liberty visuals, could well become collectibles if their impact does reach their desire. “The album artwork was also the work of perfectionists,” they confirm when asked about the lengths they went to when making all of their work fit together, “we had the songs and we wanted the right visuals to fit with what we wanted to say, as well as something that could look cool as a tattoo.”
Previously released single, and blistering album opener, Shangri-La has already become a live favourite, and from a band known for their hyper live shows, their intent now is how to get out and promote the album. “We were still writing until right up to the end of recording, and we write and record in a way that’s very collaborative, so we’re in a great space as a band – both in how we play and how we are with each other. That feels like we’re already thinking about new music, but more importantly we’re thinking about how to get out and play this live. We want to make a huge impact and we want people to hear what we’ve made.”
A launch show at Independent in Sunderland on Friday 15th November will see the band play the album in full, and will provide further momentum for their no doubt epic future. “We’ll do these gigs and then probably have a new single out before Christmas, but whatever happens we’re on a roll and we don’t want to stop.”
Thieves of Liberty release Shangri-La on Friday 15th November. www.linktr.ee/thievesofliberty
BINARIES
ALI WELFORD DISCOVERS THE TRIO’S DYNAMIC AND DEXTEROUS DEBUT ALBUM
For readers with long memories, Northumberland/North Tyneside trio Binaries may seem a tad familiar. That’s because, pre-plague, they operated under the moniker What We Call Progress, peddling a taut, electro-infused brand of alt. rock which wore its influences on its sleeve, but never at the expense of core duo John Pattison and David Young’s own sonic ambitions.
“A lot of the reset was down to Ivy [Hollow Mead, drummer],” vocalist/guitarist John reveals. “Dave and I felt we’d squeezed about as much out of What We Call Progress as we could –especially live. We’d see other bands and think we needed more dynamism, so we explored getting a drummer and that’s where Ivy came in.” Initially a live-only recruit, the zeal and humanity she brought to their music necessitated a wider collaboration – and with it, a fresh start. “We felt we needed a name change to represent that,” John reflects: “It felt like something new.”
Buoyed by fresh creative impetus, this month sees Binaries hit a milestone their earlier incarnation never reached: the release of their debut album. Featuring 12 tracks – some brand new, others adapted from material dating back as far as 2018 –Disaster Patterns’ meld of melodic muscle and dexterous textures is both an echo and expansion on previous works. Traces of Mogwai, Four Tet and especially Radiohead remain prominent, yet over 46 minutes this finely honed statement projects an effervescent sonic personality that’s distinctly its own.
“What we’ve produced is quite different to anything I’ve been involved with before – or even listened to, frankly,” admits Ivy. “My background is in deathcore and grindcore, and we wanted
THESE SONGS ARE ABOUT AWARENESS AND EXPRESSION – DOING THINGS THAT ARE HUMAN AND CREATIVE
to preserve that heavy, driving element to the drums. Some of them sound like repetitive loops you’d hear from a computer, whereas others wouldn’t sound out of place on a modern metal track. It’s a sound I doubt any of us could have come up with independently.”
Lyrically too, Disaster Patterns strikes a potent chord, chronicling humanity’s reliance on (or enslavement to?) technology in a bleak, dystopian future-turned-present. “The themes – alienation and isolation through technology– aren’t exactly a novelty, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less pertinent,” says electronics guru David. “I’ve certainly had my own mental health struggles, and a lot of that has been compounded by social media, and every aspect of our lives being mediated by technology.”
“We’re not writing about the units – mobile phones, the internet – per se, but rather the impact they have on us as people,” John elaborates. “One of the core starting points was that feeling of having everything pushed at you, all at once, all the time. Look at your news feed and you’ll see dogs doing tricks and your pals having babies – lovely! – but you’ll also see wars and decapitated bodies. And what’s worse is that you’re over it all in less than a minute. It’s too much to process.”
Moreover, the band regard the humanity at their record’s heart as their own private form of protest. “It can seem pretty grim out there, but at our core I don’t think any of us are completely hopeless,” John muses. “These songs are about awareness and expression – doing things that are human and creative, which have that spark of life to them. It gives us something to cling onto.”
Disaster Patterns is released on Friday 8th November. The band play The Globe, Newcastle on Friday 6th December. www.linktr.ee/binariesband
LISTINGS
THE BEST OF THE REST… EVEN MORE ALTERNATIVE MUSIC, THEATRE, COMEDY, ART AND FILM TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE NORTH EAST THIS MONTH
FRIDAY 1ST NOVEMBER
DINKY BOSSETTI
Spooky Halloween show from the riot grrrl trio, featuring Snow Leopards and Specky Cult // The Station East, Gateshead
ELEVATE 22
Monthly emerging music showcase by powerhouse promoters Marisam Events, featuring performance from Lottie Willis, Phantom Bagman and Marina Josephina // Newgate Social, Newcastle
LABYRINTHINE OCEANS
The dream rock headliners are complemented by support from Sadplanet and Thistle // The Cluny 2, Newcastle
FEATURED // The Last Path
The premier North Eastern slowcore trio of Phil Tyler, Claire Welford and Robin Fry, channelling sparse atmospheres between electric folk/garage guitar, a hypnotic backbone and enthralling vocals, plus support from Easter, Boy Latex and Leafache // Little Buildings, Newcastle
SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER
ARXX
Alt. rock/punk duo // Newcastle University Students’ Union
GIVE OR TAKE
Blending live electronic music with clowning and dance-theatre, Give Or Take by Bold Mellon Collective offers a queer critique of what it means to give and to receive // Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle
SUNDAY 3RD NOVEMBER
JAY LAFFERTY
A tour-de-force celebrating the power of movement, body positivity and finding joy // The Stand, Newcastle
MONDAY 4TH NOVEMBER
DRAG CASTLE
Drag Castle does Chappell Roan, as they delve into the high camp and hyper feminine pop // The Cluny, Newcastle
NERDS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN
Get ready to chuckle your way through the science scene as Neil Harris, Kelly Edgar, Matthew Wheelright and Luke Connell hit the stage, dissecting the quirky side of the scientific world // The Stand, Newcastle
TUESDAY 5TH NOVEMBER
FIXING
A coming of age tale about car repair, drag and how to fit in, from Matt Miller and Peader Kirk // Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle
IN THE VEINS
A short film which uses a century of archive footage to shine a light onto the face of the mining heritage of Yorkshire and the North East of England // Arts Centre Washington
YVA
Dramatic pop // The Cluny 2, Newcastle
THURSDAY 7TH NOVEMBER
COLIN HOULT
New stand-up show about family, fatherhood and a formative childhood experience with a ouija board and a gorilla // Bishop Auckland Town Hall
MILLIE MANDERS & THE SHUTUP
Addictive and ballsy, with incredible vocals and witty lyricism // The Cluny, Newcastle
SOCIAL YOUTH CULT
Newcastle-based post-punk and goth rockers, supported by Haddonwood and Solstice // The Globe, Newcastle
TWIN ATLANTIC
Scottish alt. rock veterans // Boiler Shop, Newcastle
FRIDAY 8TH NOVEMBER
LAUREN AMOUR
A night celebrating women in music, featuring rising pop star Lauren Amour, Charlotte Grayson, Jenny Dean and Abby Camsell // Newgate Social, Newcastle
FEATURED //
Lubber Fiend Fundraiser
Featuring weird jazz and experimental sounds from Nika Ticciati’s Cataclysm Ensemble, Jenni Mac, The Man Who Thinks He’s Elvis, Christie/Chan/ Steadman // The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle
SATURDAY 9TH NOVEMBER
NAIMA BOCK
The alt. folk siren returns // The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle
RITUALS
Newcastle-based heavy rockers, supported by Starved, Up Close and The Fever Kings // The Cluny, Newcastle
THE AFTERLIFE OF PALESTINIAN IMAGES
A special event celebrating the release of Palestinian filmmaker and researcher Azza El Hassan’s new book // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle
SUNDAY 10TH NOVEMBER
FREDDY QUINNE
Freddy fearlessly confronts his own mortality with his trademark wit and often brutal punchlines // The Stand, Newcastle
LIZ LAWRENCE
Well-respected songwriter and guitarist. Support from Attawalpa // The Grove, Newcastle
TUESDAY 12TH NOVEMBER
MORNING TOURIST
London-based indie folk artist, supported by Remy CB and J.W. Darwin // The Lost Wanderer, Newcastle
WARGASM
Electronic rock duo // Wylam Brewery, Newcastle
WEDNESDAY 13TH NOVEMBER
SUNDERLAND SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL WINNERS SHOWCASE
A selection of winning films from this year’s festival // Arts Centre Washington
URANIAN CLUB
Weirdo egg punk from USA, with Sex Germs, Irked and Onlooker // The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle
WILLIAM JOHN TITUS BISHOP
Acoustic folk artist with an impressive pedigree // The Cluny 2, Newcastle
Monthly folk club event, this time featuring the alt. folk arrangements of Ceitidh Mac, who performs alongside Francesca Knowles and Will Hammond // Black Swan Bar & Venue, Newcastle Arts Centre
WARMDUSCHER
Punk funk disco // Newcastle University Students’ Union
FRIDAY 15TH NOVEMBER
ANNIKA KILKENNY
Exciting up and coming Irish songwriter // Cafe Etch, Middlesbrough
BEAR PARK
A night of varied genre styles topped off by surfy rock trio Bear Park, supported by Chloe & The Brainwaves and Central Arcade // Newgate Social, Newcastle
HILARITY BITES COMEDY CLUB
Featuring Nick Doody, Patrick Draper, Peter Edge and MC Andy Fury // Bishop Auckland Town Hall
FEATURED //
Wipe Out Music Relaunch
The music publisher celebrates their evolution into a fully-fledged music service incorporating Singing Light Music distribution. Live music comes from Melanie Baker, Cherym and TV Death // The Grove, Newcastle
SATURDAY 16TH NOVEMBER
ARTISTS OF NEWCASTLE ARTS CENTRE 24
An exhibition which celebrates the creative practice of the artists who make the popular Arts Centre home. Runs until January // Newcastle Arts Centre
MARGINAL GAINS
Observational post-punks, supported by Tight Collar // The Common Room, Newcastle
THE CLAUSE
One of the most in-demand young indie bands on the circuit // KU, Stockton
SUNDAY 17TH NOVEMBER
OXIDE GHOSTS: THE BRASS EYE TAPES
A rare opportunity to see Michael Cumming’s cult film Oxide Ghosts, plus a Q&A hosted by writer and podcaster Andy Dawson // The Stand, Newcastle
SAD SONGS TOUR
A triple bill matinee show from Jodie Nicholson, Bea Stewart and Majesty Palm // The Georgian Theatre, Stockton
MONDAY 18TH NOVEMBER
THE LIBERTINES
Chaotic and revelatory indie scamps // The Globe, Stockton
TUESDAY 19TH NOVEMBER
FLAT PARTY
Indie rock // Zerox, Newcastle
PRIDE OF PLACE
The first in a series of creative workshops for LGBTQ+ people in County Durham, with the potential to contribute to a book about queerness in the region. Further workshops take place on 28th November and 6th December // Merryoaks Community Hall, Durham
W. H. LUNG
Calder Valley alumni, electric elation in a New Order/Hot Chip vein // The Cluny 2, Newcastle
WEDNESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER
ECHOBELLY
The Britpop band perform songs from their incredible 30 year career // The Georgian Theatre, Stockton
SPORTS TEAM
Scuzzy guitars and raucous singalong moments, expect a chaotic and electrifying live show // Boiler Shop, Newcastle
THURSDAY 21ST NOVEMBER
BABY DOLL
With a script by Tennessee Williams, this black comedy, with its dark sexual themes, is rated one of the most notorious films of the ‘50s // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle
MARUJA
Mancunian jazz punk force, pitched somewhere between The Comet Is Coming and RATM intensity // The Cluny, Newcastle
MT. MISERY
Celebrating the release of their new album, the Hartlepudlian indie pop band are joined by art rockers Cat Ryan // The Glasshouse, Gateshead
REFLECTIONS THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
Mellisa Duncan’s exhibition reflects on the intricate beauty of the natural world and the human experience. Runs until 20th December // Arts Centre Washington
SLEAFORD MODS
Iconic post-punk duo // Northumbria University Students’ Union
FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER
HIVEMIND
Dynamic punk band, with support from White Collar Rebel and Diago // Newgate Social, Newcastle
KATE NASH
Sardonic singer-songwriter // Northumbria University Students’ Union
MARINA JOSEPHINA
Jazz, soul and R&B artist // The LINK @ The Globe, Stockton
PHILLIP JONATHAN
Cinematic alt. folk artist, supported by Peter Glasby and Joshua Abrahams // The Green Room, Stockton
SHOE CAKE COMEDY CLUB
Featuring Teesside comedian Fran Garrity // The Georgian Theatre, Stockton SHOWBIZ!
A new variety entertainment and performance art night inspired by the 1980s alternative comedy scene, Victorian music hall and Phoenix Nights. Hosted by performance artist Liberty Hodes // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle
SATURDAY 23RD NOVEMBER
FEATURED // Park View
The Newcastle band offer up their catchy tunes and anthemic hooks in their biggest headline show yet, supported by Pretty Velvet, Rushbonds and Idle Hands // The Cluny 2, Newcastle
SAY SHE SHE
Discodelic soul band // Boiler Shop, Newcastle
SUNDAY 24TH NOVEMBER
ERLAND COOPER
The Scottish composer combines field recordings with traditional orchestration, rooted in the landscape of his beloved Orkney // The Fire Station, Sunderland
WEDNESDAY 27TH NOVEMBER
BATTLES
Lively duo whose sound reimagines post-rock, prog, psych, electronic and post-punk sounds // The Cluny, Newcastle
LOVE LIES BLEEDING
Rose Glass’s electrifying steroid-fuelled neo-noir movie // Port Independent, Sunderland
THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER
METROPOLIS
Lang’s epic realisation of a futuristic industrial dystopia. Metropolis is one of the most influential films ever made, and comes alive on the big screen // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle
PLACEHOLDER
Thought-provoking show about the Haitian revolution // Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle
SCREEN ONE COMEDY CLUB
Featuring Phil Ellis, Esther Manito, Al Stevenson, Ben Crompton and host Dean Coughlin // Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle
FRIDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
BARBARA
Barbara bring their classic, irresistible pop music with a literary and intellectual approach to Hartlepool // The Studio, Hartlepool
LIVING IN SHADOWS
Distinctive duo Zoe Gilby and Andy Champion follow in the tradition of English alt. pop and progressive rock whilst also reflecting their background in jazz, support from OUTRI // The Central Bar, Gateshead
PAULINE BLACK: A 2-TONE STORY + Q&A
Pauline Black, lead singer of 2-Tone hit band The Selecter, tells her extraordinary life story, including a special Q&A with the musician herself // Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle
SILLY BILLIES COMEDY
Hilarity and silliness with Simon Donald, Cooper Robson, Laurie Brewster, Matthew Wheelwright, Shevek Fodor and hosts Jack & Sam // Prohibition Cabaret Bar, Newcastle
THE LAKE POETS
Much-loved Sunderland-based songwriter performs an intimate show // The Bunker, Sunderland
SATURDAY 30TH NOVEMBER
PHAZED OUT
Expect more heavy hardcore carnage from the Phazed Out crew, featuring sets from Desolated, Going Off, Prowl, Done In, Smother, Gylt and more // Tapyard Studios, Newcastle
SISTER SHACK YULETIDE MARKET
A mixture of secondhand and handmade goods from clothing, jewellery, pottery, vinyl, comics, homeware, books and trinkets, plus food available from GCT Cafe Bar and pop up street food // Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle
REVIEWS
JIM JONES ALL STARS, X-RAY CAT TRIO @ POP RECS LTD., SUNDERLAND (10.10.24)
Words: Damian Robinson
Proving that it’s still one of the best venues in the North East for live music, tonight’s cold weather is not a particularly hard challenge for Pop Recs to overcome due to the amount of heat (and sweat) coming off this evening’s intense double-hitters.
X-Ray Cat Trio kick things off in style complete with stand-up bass, quiffs and Levi’s turn-ups. Blasting across some intense 50’s rock ‘n’ roll/rockabilly moments, their performance is fast, furious and technically excellent as they set a strong early pace for the notoriously energetic Jim Jones collective.
Having moved to the All Stars moniker around 2015, tonight’s collective continue to the carry the flag for upbeat, high-energy, rock ‘n’ roll. Mixing instruments across the evening, the collective throw down combinations of horns, deep bass, vocals and Duane Eddy-style guitar licks across short, sharp songs. Playing many tracks from recent album Ain’t No Peril, the All Stars show just why they’ve carried the reputation for being one of the tightest, most intense, live acts as they combine blues rock with the intensity and passion of Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. Fair play in particular to Jim; he just doesn’t stop.
LIZZIE ESAU, IDLE HANDS, KIWI @ SALT MARKET SOCIAL, NORTH SHIELDS (19.10.24)
Words: Chloe Glover
A homecoming gig hot off the back of a busy month touring, Lizzie Esau’s headline slot was a fitting welcome back for the effervescent indie grunge rocker.
In support, Newcastle’s Idle Hands channelled the Stone Roses spliced with nods to Primal Scream, with a raw energy encapsulated by their front man and his iconic, offbeat dance; they followed melodic indie rock Lake District band Kiwi, whose confident stage personas and tight musicianship was suggestive of bigger things to come.
The crowd swelled at Salt Market Social for the arrival of the white-hot name at her first local full-band gig since the launch of her third EP, Spilling Out The Truth.
If a hard month of touring and releasing have made her sick – “I just
want to warn you all that I’m still ill,” Lizzie Esau exclaims – it could not be heard, with fans treated to the same powerhouse show that earned Esau two slots at her inaugural Glastonbury this year.
Esau’s set charted the success of the young musician’s career to date, including the punchy earworm of The Enemy and new track, She’s A Scorpio, a delightful mingling of fuzzy guitars and striking vocals. Seamlessly channelling Wolf Alice, Imogen Heap, Garbage, the Cranberries, Phoebe Bridgers and more, tonight was the latest in a line of tour de force shows. The soaring melodies and dreamy guitars of final track Bleak Sublime spoke for themselves.
It’s been quite the 12 months for Frankie Archer, peppered with prestigious TV slots, opening for The Last Dinner Party and glowing national coverage from all the right quarters. For all that exposure, tonight is – somehow – this writer’s first encounter with the Northumbrian musician’s much-vaunted electro folk fusion; and for all my pessimistic instincts, it’s difficult to view her rapid rise through a cynical lens. That’s because, despite being the official launch, there’s far, far more to enjoy here besides new EP Pressure And Persuasion. Indeed, Archer’s set showcases a burgeoning catalogue overflowing with depth and diversity; from a riveting rendition of murder ballad Young Edwin In The Lowlands Low to freshly acid-infused jig O The Bonny Fisherlad.
Sharing stories of women and girls from centuries past – and the dispiritingly familiar pressures they faced – the likes of Barbara Allen and Elsie Marley neatly embody the new material’s merits, bearing historical and emotional weight with dexterity, rich imagination and delightful deftness of touch. The audience has a role to play too –mercifully not through corny clap/singalongs, rather by providing backing drones and triggering samples via the currents of a human chain. For all the contemporary flourishes, Archer still appears most at home indulging her traditional roots, let loose with fiddle in hand. An assured performer and magnetic vocalist, it’s nevertheless no mystery how her craft is transcending both genre and the barriers typically placed before emerging artists. Make no mistake: this is a star whose ascent has barely begun.
Jim Jones All Stars by David Wala
POM POKO, CONGRATULATIONS @ THE CLUNY, NEWCASTLE (15.10.24)
Words: Dominic Stephenson
With a name like Congratulations, and clad in tasselled everything, the Brighton outfit have a beefier sound than first impressions might suggest. Opening for Pom Poko, I found myself uncontrollably nodding to the quartet’s glam-ingrained grooves, propelled by pulsing basslines and polyrhythmic drumming. Funky guitar and their sugary power-pop powder keg liberated the frontwoman to release her inner feral and although the theatrics bordered on gimmicky, anyone willing to sweat nuts and bolts on stage like that deserves respect.
When Pom Poko released sophomore album Cheater back in early 2021, it was somewhat overshadowed by a heavy release schedule. That record has since revealed itself to be a borderline masterpiece and the Norwegian four-piece have continued their enchanting saga, back in Newcastle to promote third LP Champion. My Candidacy is the very essence of their sound and a personal favourite that swoops from soft to incendiary in a flash; while the latest titular track is at the honeyed end of the spectrum. A flurried setlist coalesced old school bangers and new, the cowbell roused on anthemic Follow The Lights, a reminder of simpler times (2019), shortly followed by the tale of an Airbnb host drunkenly passed out in the road on Pile Of Wood. Their magnetic synergy reverberated as heavenly vocals orchestrated the grungy squanch, conducted via scorching riffage, ribbed bass licks and syncopated percussion. The ominous thunder of Big Life is somehow simultaneously uplifting, before a gully of feedback clawed open finale If U Want Me 2 Stay. Exquisite musicianship from one of the most original bands to emerge in the last decade.
SARAH KEYWORTH, AMY MATTHEWS @ TYNE THEATRE & OPERA HOUSE, NEWCASTLE (15.10.24)
Words: Phoenix Atkinson
Sarah Keyworth gave an energised Tyne Theatre audience an extraordinary performance.
Amy Matthews was the support act, and told the story of her experience of goat yoga (which I might just book myself in for), where she perfectly re-enacted how I feel it would be.
The moment Keyworth came out on stage, I could tell there was magic in the air. A chat about how haunted the theatre could be led to someone talking about their own experience with the paranormal, described as a “black shadow on the wall”. Might it have been a shadow? Yes, but the alternative is much more interesting! Keyworth’s show is about their experience with top surgery, their family’s reactions, and their plan for ‘The House That Hatred Built’ (by letting Instagram comments keep fighting to boost the algorithm). Some random confetti came from the sky (I blame the ghosts), which led the night off on a tangent, before getting on track to an incredibly moving, very funny show about acceptance. Keyworth has a unique command of their audience, making every comment feel like having a chat with close friends, and keeping that excellent spontaneity that so many strive for.
Shock Horror is exactly as you’d expect it to be, packed with jump scares, a dark mystery and unsettling characters.
From the moment the lights dimmed, I knew I was in for a treat. In fact, as soon as I stepped into the theatre and saw the eerie set design, a spooky cinema backdrop, I was already captivated. It felt as though I had stepped straight into the world of the story – and so the terror began!
Set in an old cinema, where the lead character Herbert (played by Alex Moran) was raised by his cruel parents, Shock Horror follows his story as he tries to uncover the cinema’s dark secrets. What were the strange shadows that would flit round the room in the dark? Why did he feel like there was always someone, or something, lurking in the corners?
Moran manages to hold the audience in the palm of his hand for the entire duration of the show, and whilst it wasn’t exactly a one-man show, Moran certainly commands the stage. I won’t give too much away as there are plenty of opportunities to catch the show all around the country, but if you like a good jump scare, and a mystery to solve as the play unfolds, then this is the perfect show for you.
Pom Poko by Victoria Wai
ORLANDO
WEEKS, CHARTREUSE @ THE CLUNY, NEWCASTLE (24.09.24)
Words: Lee Hammond
Following on from the release of his brilliant fourth record LOJA, former Maccabees frontman Orlando Weeks arrived in Newcastle on rather splendid form. Opening tonight are Chartreuse, whose genre-blending effortless style produces a captivating set, featuring intricate melodies cut with brilliant observational lyrics, especially on tracks like Switch It On, Switch It Off. They set an excellent tone for the evening and are even joined on stage by Orlando for a rendition of Satellites. With the bar set high, Orlando stepped up and delivered with a set which flowed perfectly through an excellent blend of his back catalogue. Tracks like Sorry and Milk Breath ease the crowd into his set, these more delicate melodies and Weeks’ ethereal vocals serve to warm the band up, and are set to a backdrop of Orlando’s artwork which adorns all his records.
There is a turning point where those slower and more delicate tracks disappear, not before a heartwarming stripped-back rendition of Toothpaste Kisses. What follows though are his more upbeat tracks like Dig and Big Skies, Silly Faces. These tracks bring the set to its crescendo and see Orlando ending on a brilliant high. Tonight really feels like Orlando at his best, at times that nervous performer that he used to be still appears, but as he warms up it proves to be a wonderful evening.
When watching a one-man show, it’s easy to worry that the material might stretch thin. However, when Nathan Queeley-Dennis performed Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz at Northern Stage, he held my attention effortlessly from start to finish.
The play redefines what it means for men to express their emotions –from kindness and affection to despair and heartbreak. It challenges
traditional notions of masculinity, offering a fresh perspective on the ease with which men should communicate feelings. Queeley-Dennis delivers a take on masculinity that is both refreshing and nuanced, all while developing the story of twenty-something Nathaniel, who finds himself in the throes of emotional turmoil and self-discovery.
The story delves deep into Nathaniel’s psyche, exploring his obsession with the world of dating and the profound impact it has on him.
The minimalist set and stripped-back production draw you into the story, rather than relying on the spectacle of the performance – a testament to Queeley-Dennis’ skill in captivating an audience for a full hour with nothing more than his presence on stage. As he develops future material, I hope he will fully lean into the subtle humor he so skillfully uses throughout the piece.
JOY ORBISON, EFFY, JOSSY MITSU @ NX NEWCASTLE (11.10.24)
Words: Jonathan Coll Arguably one of the best DJs in the country right now, Joy Orbison took the dancefloor on a journey through UK garage, house, breaks and techno.
It was a set packed with old favourites and one which teased future bangers to come. There’s a gorgeous remix of Sonder’s What You Heard which has been doing the rounds all summer and has dominated the Identification of Music Group. The likes of Flight FM and Freedom 2 fall into the previous category, sounding right at home on NX’s muscular soundsystem. The promoters made the wise decision not to release set times in advance, ensuring the venue was as packed as possible for the night’s absurdly talented supporting cast. Effy was typically relentless, with Jossy Mitsu reaching for the weird and the wonky during the heaviest set of the night.
Snafu Events have clearly found a winning formula, carving out a space for established techno artists alongside emerging talents in venues impressive enough to properly showcase them. As the city’s clubbing scene has moved gradually towards more intimate experiences, this sort of big room knees-up is all the more appreciated.
Orlando Weeks by Rhiannon Banks
REAL ESTATE, FAR CASPIAN @ NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION (05.09.24)
Words: Lee Hammond
Every time I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Real Estate, the support band has always been top drawer and tonight is no different. Far Caspian provide a brilliant opening set this evening, their cinematic indie rock sound filling Newcastle Uni’s basement to a sea of appreciative nodding heads.
Real Estate are a little less full-on; the band set a more subdued tone which is no less exciting, packed with tracks from their brilliant new album, Daniel, much of which features early on in their set. Somebody New, Flowers and Water Underground all strike a chord with this evening’s crowd. Real Estate have their own distinct sound and don’t really deviate from it, the tracks awash with jangly riffs and surf pop melodies, perfect for a relaxed Saturday evening.
The latter part of the set sees them delve into the hits, It’s Real, Talking Backwards and Green Aisles all feature. The band are in a jovial mood throughout the night, feeding off this excitable crowd’s energy, evidenced by the deafening singalong to It’s Real that rounds off their triumphant set. The encore features album title track and Elton John cover, Daniel, which gains a similar reaction to some of the band’s biggest hits. In all this was an excellent set from one of the finest bands around, who have honed their sound brilliantly over the years.
SLØTFACE, CHERYM @ ZEROX, NEWCASTLE (27.09.24)
Words: Chloe Glover
A double bill of ferocious, community-spirited and cathartic femalefronted punk seemed just the antidote to a wet evening in Newcastle. Norwegian pop-punk band Sløtface (pronounced Slutface) last graced the city in 2017, with Covid-19 leading them to postpone their 2020 tour. Since then, the social activist group has undergone a phoenix-like transformation, re-emerging as a vibrant, no-holds-barred music collective led by Shea with collaborating musicians, following the departure of other founding members Tor-Arne Vikingstad and Laase Lokøy in 2022.
Hitting Zerox’s stage for a sold out show on the first English date of their tour, coinciding with the launch night of their first album under the new configuration, Film Buff, Sløtface were unsurprisingly in a celebratory mood.
“We’re going to have a wholesome mosh pit tonight”, grinned Shea, “we want everyone to be as sweaty as us.” Taking their riot grrrl influences seriously, Sløtface’s dedication to empowering women and creating safe, community-feel gigs for all was clear. Frequently leaving the stage for the crowd to encourage the party, they succeeded in their quest for swirling, pogoing fans, who especially erupted for the album’s high-energy distortion hooks of Ladies of the Fight and bass-rich Lift Heavy, well-fitting responses to the lyrics’ uplifting responses to mental wellbeing.
Derry’s genre-blending support Cherym were no less delightfully freeing, using commanding and riotous pop, rock and punk feminist songs, laced with harmonies reminiscent of an edgier Sleater Kinney. They could have been headliners in their own right.
BEYOND THE MOOR @ GOSFORTH CIVIC THEATRE, NEWCASTLE (12.10.24)
Words: Ali Welford
Back for a third instalment, Gosforth Civic Theatre’s Beyond The Moor festival enriches a soggy Saturday with a comprehensive overview of a thriving UK folksphere.
Certainly, the breadth and calibre of performers does much to warm the cockles. Leveret’s headline set sees renowned trio Sam Sweeney, Andy Cutting and Rob Harbron display thrilling mastery of the fiddle, accordion and concertina, respectively; O’Hooley & Tidow’s gorgeous piano-backed harmonies are an intimate early evening delight; while Manchester-based trio Cri du Canard bring the joys of traditional French dance to Newcastle’s suburbs.
Above all, however, this year’s event shines the spotlight on a local scene which continues to go from strength to strength. Arranger Sam Baxter and the excellent Ouseburn Folk Choir, for instance, excel in the venue’s cosy studio room with radically different yet equally stirring spins on the traditional songbook. Veteran Jez Lowe’s hearty accounts of industrial decline and scraps at a certain local funfair come as an early highlight, whereas Me Lost Me – despite increasingly straying from her folk roots – retains an electrifying vision of a genre remodelled with contemporary adventure and sonic design (even if talk of RPGs draws blank looks among the greyer contingent!)
With students from Newcastle University’s leading folk degree contributing their own opening showcase, it’s safe to say the futures of both the local and wider traditional music scenes rest in capable hands.
O’Hooley & Tidow by Rhiannon Banks
TRACKS
MOTIONS INSIDE THE GREY
Words: Michaela Hall
Whether you’re a seasoned metalhead, nostalgic for your emo days, or just love an infectiously powerful piece, the new single from motions is for you. The Teesside band have a special ability to tick off all of these needs and more, their layered and complex music has been added to official Spotify playlists and played on BBC’s Introducing rock show and it’s clear to see why with this new track.
Inside The Grey has very serious undertones, being told from the point of view of someone who has survived suicidal ideation, and we can feel that through the raw authenticity of the track. It’s juxtaposing softer mid-section and tenacious start and finish demands respect, and is bound to be listened to and not forgotten by many.
Released: 15.11.24
www.linktr.ee/motionsmetalband
AIMEE LAMBERT SO SOFT
Words: Iam Burn
Appearing on a streaming platform near you from 15th November, Aimee Lambert unleashes her latest blend of pop, folk and Americana for your delectation. So Soft celebrates Lambert’s beautifully melodious voice, as it drips like syrup off a pancake. Her voice sounds like a blend of Tor Maries (Billy Nomates) and Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) which is a pretty good mix.
A song that begins gently with delicate guitars and gradually builds in stature, Lambert sings about navigating relationships when coming of age. Focused on a partner who clearly wants to have their cake and eat it, the song’s protagonist begins to realise that they are worthy of much better and finds the confidence to take control of the situation.
Released: 15.11.24
www.linktr.ee/aimee.lambert
(PLEASE TRY TO GET IN TOUCH 8-6 WEEKS AHEAD OF THE MONTH OF RELEASE)
PIT PONY CUT OPEN
Words: Roz Cuthbert
Newcastle’s Pit Pony present a new offer which is reminiscent of 1950’s doo wop with just a little hint of a Christmas melody to get us all in the mood for the festive season (which is a bit of a curveball for the usually angst-driven five-piece).
Jackie Purver’s vocals have an endearing saturation to them which adds to the vintage sound, and being a fan of natural accents in music, I love the non-forced North East accent, not to mention the lush, almost Walker Brothers string arrangement and instrumentation of the song’s outro. Cut Open is out on 27th November and you should experience it by the fire in the evening time with a drink in hand, staring wistfully out of the window. It’s really good.
Released: 27.11.24
www.pitponyband.bandcamp.com
WATERSMEET CARRIED AWAY EP
Words: Mack Sproates carried away is a lovely, tender and grounding upcoming EP by the wonderful watersmeet, aka Jessie Howard and Anna Hughes. Like a breath of fresh sea air, these tracks are a soothing cleanse for a busy brain. Gently exploring themes like connections to nature in the opening track ‘there for’; the nuances of human relationships in ‘just so’; accepting the uncertainties of life with ‘carried away’; and ending with a sweet, loving lullaby on loss with ‘sleep well’.
Featuring soft, heartfelt vocals with lofty melodies and inseparable, optimistic harmonies, plus a sprinkle of banjo, friendly keys, resonating double bass and joyful trickling drum taps. The production on this EP is really special, with a clear, crisp and airy vibe which gives everything a bright, natural sound, tying everything together so beautifully.
Released: 22.11.24
www.linktr.ee/watersmeet
Image by Nigel John
Image by Sel MacLean
ROB HARVEY MANTRA OF LIFE EP
Words: Michaela Hall
After over a decade of experience in local bands, Teesside-based Rob Harvey is going out on his own musical journey and releasing his debut EP Mantra Of Life on 8th November.
The EP is a unique experience that lends itself to an adventure through different styles and influences. From the opening Old Desert Road, which provides the feeling of being in a Western movie with an indie futuristic twist, to the softer and gently rhythmic Naked To The Light, the EP demonstrates an impressive amount of variation across just four tracks. The EP will lend itself magically to the stage, so Rob’s show at Stockton’s Green Room on Friday 8th November will be a great opportunity to hear the tracks live.
Released: 08.11.24
www.facebook.com/robharveymusic2024
Words: Iam Burn
After attending an afternoon showing of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour movie, Ricky Clark went home, dug out a track he had shelved previously and spent all night composing riffs. The result of this nocturnal endeavour is SOS, a track that would not feel out of place in a rock opera. The County Durham artist’s latest offering has a strong, epic feel to it. With very polished production values, the track blends essences of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Queens of the Stone Age. Written as a response to a friend struggling with her mental health after her husband began working away, Clark powerfully highlights the impact such a change can have on your world.
Released: 01.11.24
www.linktr.ee/rickyclarkmusic
BIG ROMANCE IT AIN’T EASY EP
Words: John Knox
Big Romance are Millennials that lean heavily into the fuzzy guitars and slacker rock vocal delivery of the “music still on MTV” era. The opening eponymous track kicks off with a build so closely tone and tempo matched to the Pixies’ Where Is My Mind it’s uncanny, like seeing Belle Delphine in Daria cosplay – which may be your thing. Other Gen-X influences from the likes of Pearl Jam and Sonic Youth make an appearance to my ear, as this five-track EP sonically straddles the line between parody and pastiche. The tracks are brought up to date through contemporary lyrics that pepper deadpan, ironic takes on issues of the modern malaise. A well polished stab at moving forwards whilst looking backwards.
Released: 08.11.24
www.linktr.ee/bigromanceband
STEVE LUCK COASTING
Words: John Knox
Steve Luck is an award-winning modern classical composer from Newcastle with over a hundred project credits to his name. He describes his newest single Coasting as an invitation to slow down and enjoy the peacefulness of everything going right.
A fine flight of fancy in this economy, but there is a quality to this piano piece that stimulates the imagination, whisking us off to a fantasy land as arable and innocent as a Miyazaki movie. Slow arpeggios conjure holidays by the sea, placing the suspicion of a double meaning to the title, as a wistful melody picks at the lock of a memory box from a simpler, pre-George Osbourne time. A soundtrack for scenes of nostalgia and ice cream.
Released: 08.11.24
www.steveluck.com
FRAZER LAMBERT RENAISSANCE
Words: Nat Greener
Stockton artist Frazer Lambert’s new single, Renaissance, is an emotive alt. folk tribute blending personal grief with soulful musicality. Written about his mother’s decline from Alzheimer’s, the track’s earlier, slower arrangement has evolved into something more uplifting and beautiful. Reflecting the resilience of those affected by the disease, Frazer’s calming vocals sit beautifully against the warm tones of guitar and Hammond organ, while the subtle addition of brass and Dave Hyde’s drums give it a 1970s soulful feel, reminiscent of classic influences like Al Green and Marvin Gaye. The track’s gentle pace and heartfelt lyrics create a moving yet hopeful listening experience, making it a powerful tribute to his parents and a touching exploration of memory and loss.
Released: 08.11.24
www.instagram.com/frazerlambertmusic
THE AVELONS THE GALLOWS EP
Words: Nat Greener
The Avelons’ new EP The Gallows is a thrilling ride through the band’s fierce indie rock sound; bursting with jangly guitars, cinematic storytelling and gritty vocals, this three-track release shows off the Newcastle band’s knack for blending classic British indie with Western-inspired drama. From the frantic energy of The Prequel to the epic finale of the title track, the EP is a high-energy triumph.
Newcastle fans can experience this raw energy live at their headline gig at Think Tank on Saturday 23rd November. With a solid year behind them, including a slot at the Isle of Wight Festival, The Avelons are quickly becoming one of the North East’s most exciting indie acts, known for their anthemic, crowd-rousing performances.
Released: 08.11.24
www.linktr.ee/theavelons.1
THE AGENCY… HARBOUR SONG
Words: Roz Cuthbert
With a name that kind of screams ‘working man’s club covers band’, I was relieved when, upon putting on their new release Harbour Song, it was an original and well-orchestrated tune that’s evocative, mournful and ethereal. Obviously I couldn’t write this review without mentioning how much the male singer (who is known simply as ‘Driver’, apparently) sounds like Nick Cave, but not in an overly slavish, copyist way so he just about gets away with it. The female vocals (courtesy of Elise and Rosa from The Samphires) synergise with Driver’s, forming the basis of a very well-produced, melancholic duet which you should all listen to. Head down to the harbour on 1st November and do just that.
Released: 01.11.24
www.theagencyinthehauntedwoods.com
BLACKOUT THE ARCADE HOSTILE
Words: Amelia Neri
Hostile, the new offering from Darlington’s Blackout The Arcade, is a masterclass in catchy, anthemic indie rock songwriting. Packed with towering guitar hooks and raw, no-nonsense lyrical content, the quartet’s latest is an explosive tour-de-force that further establishes their signature gritty, yet euphoric, indie rock sound. Reminiscent of indie greats such as Catfish & The Bottlemen and FOALS, Hostile is the perfect addition to the band’s growing psychedelic-tinted and guitar-driven discography. Riding on the success of previous hits Override and Underrated, the ambitious group have set their sights on dominating the local music scene in 2025. Blackout The Arcade are definitely ones to watch over the next year and beyond, check out their headline show at KU, Stockton on Saturday 30th November.
Released: 23.11.24
www.linktr.ee/blackout_the_arcade
RICKY CLARK SOS
DEMOS
WE WANT YOUR MUSIC! IF YOU’RE AN UP AND COMING BAND OR MUSICIAN, AND WOULD LIKE YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED IN OUR DEMO SECTION, EMAIL A TRACK TO NARCMEDIA@GMAIL.COM AND TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF!
WORDS: ISABEL MARIA
Jakey Boy – Same Old Kid
Behind its effortlessly cool facade of steady beats and ambient sounds, Same Old Kid by Jakey Boy is a touching, emotional rap track with some real bite. Lyrically introspective, self-aware and refreshingly honest, this guy knows how to craft a killer verse – and even BBC 1Xtra agree, as they’ve featured him recently.
The instrumental backing is tastefully simple and repetitive to allow for these words to truly come through and hit hard: for the real dynamics of Same Old Kid lie in its unquestionably excellent hooks, and the track is swimming in those. Themes of self-growth, youth in the North East of England, and staying true to yourself come through significantly, in unexpectedly thought-provoking ways. It’s a delight to see the future of local rap in such safe hands. www.linktr.ee/jakeyboyraps
David Kelly – Tonight Will Be The Night
If you’re after a classic, but fresh, easy listening track, look no further than Tonight Will Be The Night by Ashington-based David Kelly. Writing almost constantly in all sorts of genres, David is hard at work planning live shows for 2025: and if this song is anything to go by, there’ll be some real earworms to hear within those performances.
Tonight Will Be The Night expresses a craving for love and forgiveness, embodied primarily by David’s strong voice but also supported by steady drums, classic guitar and unique synth. With colloquial, down-to-earth lyrics, this tune is one that anyone can sit with and enjoy – fit for all kinds of occasions and tastes. www.youtube.com/@david_w_kelly
Piss Jelly – War Without End
Piss Jelly are a duo from Blyth, and their songs are just about as unique as their band name. War Without End is an explorative spoken word track in the experimental post-rock vein – and it’s all the best kinds of noisy and fascinating. The duo is made up of wordsmith Lee and instrumental rocker Guy,
who together are able to craft heavy, wordy landscapes through song.
War Without End is based on a poem by Lee, and in this instance was recorded completely unrehearsed. The words are thoughtprovoking and current, with the song itself being a political commentary on the world’s desperate need for an olive branch. Pair this with some looped Hammond organ and bowed guitar, and you’ve got a really dynamic and vibrant example of their craft. www.deafbed.bandcamp.com
noah acj – WHATEVER
Whatever your initial perceptions of 15-year-old singer-songwriter/producers might have been, WHATEVER is here to prove them wrong. noah acj from Middlesbrough is a comforting example of how safe the future of pop is. This track will be an undeniable hit with fans of Holly Humberstone, Charli XCX and The 1975 – all of whom the artist is a seasoned fan of himself.
The track is texturally swimming in synths, arpeggiators and so many layers. It’s simply a fun track at its core, with thoughtful and down-to-earth lyrics and a unique and fresh vocal. Fans of this one can also go and check
www.noahajc.co.uk
Naomi Kelly – Untitled Board Game Song
Fans of queer indie folk pop should open their ears to Naomi Kelly, a singer-songwriter and producer newly based in Newcastle. Untitled Board Game Song is a self-produced guitar and vocals demo – exactly how you’d hear it live, in true DIY indie fashion. The uniquely titled tune is inspired by a board game cafe in Naomi’s home city of Leeds, and was never updated from its working title.
The instrumentation is gentle – soft fingerpicked guitar has your alarm bells ringing immediately (yes, this is going to be a sad one). The vocals, however, are the real sweet spot – warm and characteristic, with some impressive highs and lows. This wouldn’t go amiss in a playlist with names like Grace Petrie and Lucy Spraggan – classic, clever songwriting.
www.lnkfi.re/naomikellymusic
out Noah’s debut five-track EP Down To The Wire which was released in October.
ALBUMS
/ 5
MEZANMI ALWAYS UPWARDS (ALWAYS UPWARDS)
Words: Laura Rosierse
Alternative pop-infused creative Fran O’Hanlon reveals new album Always Upwards under his new musical moniker of Mezanmi. This collection of hazy yet colourful songs shows the vibrancy of Fran’s musical prowess. The North East-born artist launched his new project at the end of last year to share a new and elaborate sound, which will be celebrated with a launch show taking place at North Shields’ Three Tanners Bank on Saturday 30th November.
Always Upwards opens with a driving electronic pop collaboration between Fran and Indonesian songwriter Sandrayati, where stunning vocal harmonies lead us through an epic forest of sounds. The album builds slowly, with alternative anthems such as Again, Again and Like Spun Gold, which weave guitars, keys, soothing vocals and elaborate compositions together to take us on a journey driven by introspective sounds and lyricism. Beautiful Town is another vibrant collaboration, this time between Fran and singer and composer Kieran Brunt, which brings a softly shimmering, synth-driven track which colours the album brightly and might be a favourite of mine.
The album’s title track is a stunning piece of spoken word guided by keys, which adds another layer of depth to this brilliantly addictive album. A new intricate sound enters the mix on The Numbers, where we hear subtly theatrical vocals and a slowly thumping soundscape.
On There’s No Freedom Like Feeling Lost we hear a subtle and warm, dark sound that resembles that of The National, while his collaboration with acclaimed songwriter and actor Jessie Buckley on Two Strangers is a light-hearted release.
This wondrous transition paints the picture of what to expect of this exceptional collection of songs. Fran has taken the many inspirations that have shaped his musical career so far and fused them together, shifting and shaping it to his own becoming.
Released: 15.11.24
www.mezanmi.net
ALSO OUT THIS MONTH
Father John Misty - Mahashmashana (Bella Union, 22.11) // Papa M - Ballads of Harry Houdini (Drag City, 22.11) // Trust Fund - Has It Been A While? (Tapete Records, 01.11) // Poppy - Negative Spaces (Sumarian Records, 15.11) // Primal Scream - Come Ahead (BMG, 08.11) // Sly & The Family Drone - Moon is Doom Backwards (Human Worth, 15.11) // Chase Atlantic - Lost In Heaven (Fearless Records, 01.11) // Mannequin Death Squad - Wise And Dangerous (Riot Love Records, 22.11)// Our Girl - The Good Kind (Bella Union, 08.11) // Lazy Day - Open The Door (Brace Yourself Records, 08.11) // Fionn Regan - O Avalanche (Nettwerk, 01.11) // The Rills - Don’t Be A Stranger (AWAL/Nice Swan Recordings, 01.11) //Dominic Waxing Lyrical - Diminuet (Innis Orr Records, 22.11) // Jack Cheshire - Interloper (Loose Tongue Records, 22.11) // Henrik AppelShadows (PNKSLM Recordings, 01.11) // Jennifer Castle - Camelot (Paradise of Bachelors, 01.11) // i Häxa - S/T (Pelagic Records, 01.11) // Bananagun - Why is the Colour of the Sky? (Full Time Hobby, 08.11)
4 / 5
JON
DORAN AND JANICE BURNS GREAT JOY TO THE NEW (WYLAM RECORDS)
Words: Kate Relton
Great Joy To The New is a winter album inspired by Anglo-Scottish folk duo Janice Burns and Jon Doran’s time spent studying Norwegian traditional music, but they never stray far from their British roots.
The album is a meandering conversation through 13 delicately woven musical tales. Burns and Doran showcase everything that makes folk so compelling: warmth, storytelling, nostalgia. The moments that really shine are those that lean into more expansive instrumentation; the brass in particular adding richness and depth on tracks like The Wren.
The highlight of the album is the beautiful Haugebonden, a medieval ballad featuring Norwegian singer Mari Bjørkøy that conjures up the kind of shimmery winter days and firelit nights that any good Christmas album should deliver.
Released: 22.11.24
www.janandjon.com
3.5 / 5
MT MISERY LOVE IN MIND (PREFECT RECORDS)
Words: Kate Relton
Hartlepool indie pop favourites Mt. Misery present a nostalgic bubble of the low-level angst and confusion of adolescence, against a backdrop of the mundane but comforting repetition of everyday life.
A track list that would be at home on the soundtrack of any 90s coming-of-age movie, Love In Mind will have fans of Blur or The Lemonheads feeling totally at home. An unquestionably easy listen, the album combines dreamy delicate vocals with the kind of chord progressions that ask nothing of the listener, track after track. As it grows in confidence, by the time you get to Driving Through A Dream there’s more to get your teeth into, with heavier bass lines and variations in mood that give the vocals a chance to shine.
Released: 01.11.24
www.linktr.ee/mtmisery
Image by Alex Kozobolis
4.5 / 5
DU BLONDE SNIFF MORE GRITTY (DAEMON TV)
Words: Matt Young
Du Blonde (Beth Jeans Houghton) returns with an anthemic album of glam pop tales of payback and peace, peppered with a host of characters. There’s an underlying darkness, but the chosen path is joyous. Solitary Individual and TV Star grapple with a sense of self, earning your space. Self-producing and recording frees up her songwriting with bombast, honesty and eternal pop hooks. One In A Million is as vulnerable as a love ending will ever sound. Fuzzy guitars and raucous vocals flow on Blame, Lucky and Metal Detector, but the light and shade showcase Du Blonde’s fine writing. Collaborators including Skin (Skunk Anansie) and Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!) also feature. Sniff More Gritty lifts the bar yet again, even further than her already immaculately high standards. Released: 15.11.24 www.dublonde.co.uk
JODY BIGFOOT GEORDIE JAPANESE DANCEHALL (1988 RECORDS)
Words: John Knox
How many spins of a random genre generator would it take to roll Geordie Japanese 8-bit reggae? And like a steak and ice cream smoothie, just because you can do it, does it necessarily mean you should? Well, let me be the first to tell you, it’s outrageously good.
Jody Bigfoot, Newcastle’s wandering sasquatch, has found the thread inside of him that unites these disparate ingredients and powerfully moves to embody that truth. Expressing himself eloquently and authentically in both English and Japanese, blending pop cultural references with an Eastern-influenced, Rasta-peace philosophy designed to unite rather than divide us. Put aside any suspicions of hokey cultural appropriation and get behind one of our region’s most innovative and surprising artists.
Released: 08.11.24
www.linktr.ee/jodybigfoot
KIM DEAL NOBODY LOVES YOU MORE (4AD)
Words: Michael O’Neill
A long-overdue testament to her sheer mastery of the songwriting craft, it is a complete pleasure to hear the inimitable Kim Deal in so many different, but perfectly-suited contexts. We begin on safe ground with the duelling string sections and brass band in the beautiful Scott Walker-ish title track, before the sharp left-turn stark electro stomp Crystal Breath hurls you into a frenzied kaleidoscopic maze of sound. Are You Mine and Disobedience are a gift to those who dug the dustier corners of Last Splash, but the stylistic detours found elsewhere are refreshing and still perfectly suited to one of alt. rock’s finest voices. Crucially, it’s an absolute joy to behold, and a wonderful sound-world to get lost in.
Released: 22.11.24
www.kimdealmusic.com
3.5 / 5
3.5 / 5 4 / 5
ROJOR LOVE IS THE STRONGEST FORCE (SELFRELEASE)
Words: Robert Nichols
In turbulent times we can count on a friendly fire on our hearth by running in the direction of chilled-out Tees artist Rojor. The singer-songwriter returns with an album of slow burning calm and melodic indie pop, with a voice that seeps through the sinews of the velvet glove meld of guitars and keyboards like golden syrup. There are several dalliances into reggae, beginning with I’ve Been Watching You, plus hooky radio-friendly songs like New Year’s Eve. But love is the message and love is the emotion; not just romantic love, but as the title track suggests, as an antidote against all the turmoil and hate in the world right now. Rojor is offering us some hope, solace and an oasis of positively chilled vibes. Released: 01.11.24 www.rojor.com
PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS DO YOU STILL LOVE ME? (DEATHWISH INC.)
Words: Matt Young
Formed out of harrowing backstories, this album bleeds on every track. Opening with the blistering Matthew Is Dead, dealing with the death of the founding guitarist Matt Bellinger, singer Gared O’Donnell’s screams and guttural rasps are too raw. Knowing he was himself dying of oesophageal cancer while recording is incomprehensible. His throat shreds vocals in anger and catharsis. Completing the album following O’Donnell’s death, the remaining band stares down heartache that threatens to overtake them. It’s barbaric sounding and a really tough listen, full of the most primal emotional pain. Yet they manage to transpose that bloodletting energy into a coping mechanism. Whilst Do You Still Love Me? deals with the horrors of dying, it can also be seen as a monument to living on.
Released: 01.11.24
www.planesmistakenforstars.net
WARHAUS KARAOKE MOON (PLAY IT AGAIN SAM)
Words: Matthew McDonnell
If in the future I found myself owning a yacht, (wishful thinking, I know) chances are you’d find me on deck with a Negroni in one hand and a cigar in the other, listening to Karaoke Moon. So clear is the vision and intentions behind this album, it’s hard not to find yourself transported into this world. From the first track, Where The Names Are Real, you’re enveloped in the warmth and presence of Maarten Devoldere’s vocals, accompanied by sleek, sultry bass lines and pulsating synths. However, this is a moon of two phases, and I found the waxing lyrical on songs like Jim Morrison a little hamfisted. Ultimately the polish and storytelling in this album is excellent, and can excuse the weaker points.
Released: 22.11.24
www.linktr.ee/warhaus
3.5 / 5
W.H. LUNG EVERY INCH OF EARTH PULSATES (MELODIC)
Words: Luke Waller
For the first time since 2021’s Vanities, W.H. Lung return with a third release. An appetising selection of singable, single-worthy tracks, this album is richer in indie pop than psychedelia, in spite of its unmistakeably trippy name.
Since their inception seven years ago, the Mancunian five-piece have earned their reputation as a formidable live act. The band strived to capture this energy on their new album, most audible on single Bloom And Fade and opening track Lilac Sky. However, this live energy is not to the detriment of meticulous production, melding synth pop and post-punk-tinged indie rock into one coherent whole, and songs such as The Painting Of The Bay are testament to the group’s enduring talent and artistry.
Released: 01.11.24
www.whlungmusic.com
SHE DREW THE GUN HOWL (SUBMARINE CAT RECORDS)
Words: Iam Burn
Merseyside has produced many talented, creative and prodigious musical artists over the years and She Drew The Gun must be considered in this elite echelon. Howl is their fourth studio album, with ten tracks for your delectation. The title track opens the album with a hefty thwack of glam rock meets electropop. Shine On offers pounding drumbeats supplemented by Louisa Roach’s vocals which claw at your senses. An 80s Yazoo vibe wafts throughout Nothing Lasts, whilst Washed In Blue brings a feel of Cyndi Lauper melded with a determined driving rhythm. The chorus of Ritual will be your newest earworm. An album which alternates between a velvet glove and an iron fist in its approach, you will certainly feel its effects.
Released: 15.11.24 www.shedrewthegun.com
3.5 / 5
TOMO KATSURADA DREAM OF THE EGG (FUTURE DAYS SHOP)
Words: Elodie A. Roy
In a former life, Tomo Katsurada sang and played guitar in Tokyo psychedelic band Kikagaku Moyo. He now lives in Amsterdam and has just recorded a mini-album. Dream Of The Egg is a vague, atmospheric debut; it is intended as a sonic exploration of the Japanese 1920s fairy tale collection of the same title. There is something touchingly undeveloped here. When I hear Katsurada’s music, I think of the fragile nursery rhymes of Bill Wells, of the blurry songs of The Pastels – more particularly on their 2009 collaboration with Tenniscoats. The album’s central piece is a cloudy version of Gabriel Yared’s Bungalow Zen (from the soundtrack of cult 1986 film Betty Blue). I wonder what will come next. Something is timidly being born, only nobody knows what yet.
Released: 15.11.24
www.tomokatsurada.com
THANK
I HAVE A PHYSICAL BODY THAT CAN BE HARMED (BIG SCARY MONSTERS)
Words: Ali Welford
You get the impression Thank want to be held as noise rock’s most elaborate piss-take. How else to explain that galaxy-brained album art? Much like predecessor Thoughtless Cruelty, though, this sophomore release proves Leeds’ oddest rabble have chops to match the histrionics, and in Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe one of their scene’s most dryly charismatic spearheads.
Amid freshly streamlined flows of guitar squall and squelching electronics, the sardonic mischief of Woke Frasier (woke pets, woke credit cards, woke limbs... woke everything!) epitomises Thank and their frontman’s wry ways, while Down With The Sickness’ BIG ROCK riffage sounds all the sweeter once you’ve established they’ve not dropped an unsolicited Disturbed cover. Let’s face it: you really wouldn’t put it past them…
Released: 08.11.24
3 / 5
TASHI DORJI
WE WILL BE WHEREVER THE FIRES ARE LIT
(DRAG CITY)
Words: Laura Doyle
Tashi Dorji makes experimental music – like, real experimental music. Not just genre-hopping catchy tunes with a slight edge. He sits down in front of a recorder for five minutes at a time, strumming on his acoustic guitar in whatever way feels right to him on that day.
The Bhutanese-American’s approach is inherently political in an inversion of the expected and a reclamation of an instrument whose history, now firmly embedded in European and American culture, originates in the Indian subcontinent. The resultant tracks meander along like a walk down a different path in a neighbourhood you know well. There are sprinkles of recognisable traits of traditional songs, but they’re fleeting. we will be wherever the fires are lit [sic] is deliberately abstract, and enjoyably so.
Released: 22.11.24
www.instagram.com/tashidorjiiii
MXMTOON LIMINAL SPACE (AWAL)
Words: Isabel Maria
The songs on mxmtoon’s third album liminal space are admirably open and consistently excellent, weaving together ideas of familial ties, particularly the bonds between mothers and daughters. Last year Maia’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, and the album’s title refers to the surrealism of this huge change, and the shift that change causes within a relationship. Though this album’s subject matter feels deeper and darker than the 2022’s Rising, it doesn’t fail to bring across playful humour and fascinating detail, which when combined with a new folk pop/rock blend and excellent production, sounds hugely dynamic and will stick in your head for days. Wistful and delightfully tongue-in-cheek, this is a really exciting record for fans of blunt lyricism and dynamic, characteristic soundscapes. Released: 01.11.24 www.mxmtoon.com 4 /
www.thankleeds.bandcamp.com
MIXTAPE
WORDS: DAVID HALL
My name is David Hall and I am a North East documentary photographer. Over the last few years I have been photographing groups and musicians, building up a documentary archive which goes under the name of The Newcastle Project. The project’s main aim is to make documentary and archiving accessible to everyone; to create a space where all art mediums can coexist to form a people’s archive that is free from class bias and any form of art snobbery. All of the musicians featured in this Mixtape I have photographed in one way or another, some are featured in my upcoming exhibition at NewBridge Project in Newcastle, which runs from Friday 1st-Saturday 9th November. www.instagram.com/nostalgia_kid
GAYDAR
JAN GOT HER TITS DONE IN TURKEY
Pure joy! Our three dashing punketeers go for it hard and fast, energy is their currency, taking no nonsense from nobody, ever!!
FASHION TIPS
I
WISH
YOU EVERY SUCCESS
Backing up their electric live sound on record was always going to be a big ask, but Fashion Tips have produced a debut LP that has captured that vigour and raw visceral sound. Every song reaches right inside of you, grabs your guts with both hands and gives them a right old twist. In the pursuit of essence and intelligent pop music, Fashion Tips are relentless.
BITCHFINDER GENERAL
NO THOUGHTS JUST VIBES EP
You want sonic punk pop then this group of cool cats are for you. Wonderful live and now backing it up in the studio. B52s meet Bill and Ted do the last house on the left.
CERAMIC SOLID GROUND
The sweetest group in all the world how could they do this to me? A slight take on Green Gartside’s lyric. Talking of lyrics, Alfred is a wordsmith as good as anyone
and Tom’s guitar playing and musicality is a constant source of bliss. If this is their last single, here’s to all our halcyon days.
MARGINAL GAINS CONTEXT EP
Like many, I was blown away by Marginal Gains’ first show at Three Tanners Bank in August 2023. They were on it from the start, both sonically and visually, and have continued in this creative vein ever since. Now that you can hear the songs Grammar School and CCC on a digital platform or cassette. Now that’s a marginal gain in my books.
MELANIE BAKER
ALL MY PLANTS HAVE DIED
The Cumbrian Patti Smith. Melanie is, for me, one of our brightest and rarest of musicians. She lights up the world with her wonderful songs and live shows. This particular song is a bona fide classic!
VICE KILLER
THE DARK SIDE OF THE RAILWAY (SUNNY)
What I love about Vice Killer is their sense of community and belonging to a place where they were born. Their history runs through them like Blackpool in a stick of rock. Thomas Low Gilling is passionate about this, and I was proud to work with
him and Ashleigh Walker from Marginal Gains on their Life Just Bounces exhibition and curated day to celebrate Peterlee. Plus, this is a cracking song.
RAPOON MOKA24
Robin Storey continues his ambient odyssey in sound with MoKa24. An original member of :zoviet*france:, Robin is on fine form with this latest edition to his already impressive back catalogue of music.
IRKED BACKSTREETS
It’s all kicking off in the lane with these upstarts! I absolutely love this slice of punk magic.
NO TEETH
DECADENCE IN BREEDING
I love this group and everything they bring to the Newcastle music scene. The syndicate’s sell out show at St Theresa’s Catholic Club to launch this LP was nothing short of chaos and unadulterated bonkers fun. They left nothing to the imagination, and I can’t listen to Panty Raid now without coming out in a hot flush! They warned us not to look!
Courses include:
❱ Fd Audio & Music Production
❱ BA (Hons) Audio and Music Production (Top-up)
Our courses are delivered in state-of-the-art recording studios and control rooms, editing suites and venues.
We are an Avid Pro Tools Authorised Learning Partner, delivering industry standard qualifications alongside our higher education programme designed with industry in mind. Our teaching rooms are equipped with industry-standard software and hardware.
Our course team is built up of active industry professionals. Our course has been designed in collaboration with industry, with Tees Music Alliance, Middlesbrough Town Hall, The Middlesbrough Empire, ARC, KU Bar, Butterfly Effect Records and more on board to offer real work-related learning opportunities for our students!
What will I study?
Areas of study include:
❱ Music Production
❱ Live Events Production
❱ Recording and Mixing
❱ Audio for Film, TV and Games
❱ Composition and Songwriting
❱ Sound Design and Synthesis
❱ Popular and Experimental Music
❱ Career Development
❱ Pro Tools and Ableton Live
Rob Penrose (FosterSounds.co.uk)
Rob is running his own company, freelancing and working on exciting projects as a voice actor, musician and technical audio mixer. He’s already enjoyed success working on projects for CBeebies on a variety of shows including Postman Pat, The Baby Club and more recently Tinpo where he worked as the Sound Designer and Voice Director.
“The degree programme is practical and sets you up for the world of work. The tutors have industry experience and support you to fulfil your career ambitions. I had job interviews lined up before I had even handed in my final assignments!” Rob
Find out more course information and apply online today!
