Alistair James’ latest single sees him stretching his musical horizons with a hearty piece of country rock.
Drawing on influences such as Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and David Bowie, James combines beautifully woven lyrics with classic rock riffs on the Queen of Big Livin’.
The riffs, in particular, reminded me of The Rolling Stones, with their bluesy, in-your-face energy that strikes you from the very first notes.
This perfectly suits the lyrics, which James crafts around these riffs, using characters to build a compelling narrative that hooks into the momentum created by the excellent guitar and drum work.
Things switch up nicely when the bridge hits, bringing in a warmer melody that breaks from the punchy style of the verse and chorus.
Overall, the track comes together seamlessly, weaving the influences of The Stones and Ryan Adams to produce a wonderful track.
The new single from Sam George is a treasure trove for guitar lovers, packing a variety of styles into one deeply satisfying offering.
The Tyneside artist showcases both his musical ear and talent on this track, skilfully weaving vastly different guitar parts into a cohesive whole.
From its funky beginning to the chunky chorus, there’s a lot to like. The track manages to simultaneously maintain a groovy vibe while delivering strong, memorable melodies.
Attention has been paid to creating a rich array of sounds. It’s almost as if George has decided to channel all of his influences at once and it works brilliantly.
The song builds to a climactic finale that combines two distinct solos together to finish on a brilliant high note.
If you love indie music, you’ll really enjoy this track. From The Smashing Pumpkin-esque vocals to light funky rhythm sections, it’s a gem worth checking out.
The new album from Weathership sees the group honing their sound and producing a cohesive project that is pleasing to the ear.
From the first track, Golden Age, the band immediately sets out their stall, employing a groove- based rhythm section, intriguing synth sounds, and intricate, clean guitar lines to craft a distinctive sound.
A siren immediately greets you on the track with an extended intro which reminded me of The Cure without the gothic element. The use of space in the arrangement allows the guitar lines to shine.
The Blue continues in this vein, with some lovely bass lines building a lovely groove. The vocals on this track – and indeed throughout the album – are consistently strong.
The following track, Through the Fog, boasts a huge, beautifully constructed chorus, accompanied by expertly crafted guitar parts. New Occupation continues this with twinkling guitar parts layered over a groove-driven rhythm section, beginning with a delightful drum beginning.
The highlight of the album is Just a Ghost with a magnificent melodic chorus and engaging call-and-response within it. The result is a tight, catchy slice of indie rock.
The massive sound of the album runs throughout the last four tracks. On Electrolung there is more great production with jittering synth and an interesting drum machine. The track reminded me a bit of Radiohead.
Lost at Sea had a massive chorus and beautifully echoing guitar parts to beautifully decorate it before the massive stomping drums of The Swimmer.
Album closer, For The Dark Is Beautiful is a fitting closer, encapsulating everything the album excels at in a grand atmospheric conclusion.
Overall, this album is a fantastic listen for fans of massive sounding atmospheric indie rock.
A slightly different one today, as I wanted to draw attention to the new posthumous release from folk musician Martin Matthews.
The album, No Time Like The Present, features 17 tracks recorded during the final months of Martin’s life before his passing in August 2023 at the age of 71, following a courageous battle with bowel cancer.
Martin’s friends and family have released the album to raise funds for three charities close to his heart: The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, and Marie Curie.
Over the course of 20 years, Martin played in 12 bands, becoming a beloved figure in the North East folk scene, and collaborated on four albums with producer Sean Taylor.
It is Taylor, who worked with Martin over the past 20 years, who finished the project based on Martin’s detailed notes.
With the proceeds from the album, Martin’s friends and family are now hoping to support the organisations that provided vital care during his illness, which included a clinical trial for innovative cancer drug at Newcastle’s Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre.
Martin’s wife Maria had this to say about the work that these charities:
“The support we received from these organisations during Martin’s illness is something I, along with our wonderful daughter Cate, will always cherish. Their kindness and practical assistance during such a challenging time made a world of difference to our experience.
Martin was truly grateful for all they did for him, and it was his firm wish that proceeds from this album, one he was incredibly passionate about, went to them in order to support other families facing a cancer diagnosis.”
The new single from Black Surf sees the band continuing to hit it out of the park with yet another alt-rock home run.
Mixing elements of slacker rock and post-punk, the group have once again stumbled upon a winning formula on Army of Sheep, which sounds like a lost Weezer track from the nineties.
You can almost imagine Rivers Cuomo belting out the massive chorus, which features a very Weezer-esque rush of guitars and feedback reminiscent of tracks like Holiday from their 1994 Blue Album.
In addition, I could hear the influence of groups like Pixies within the songwriting, with the dynamics following a quiet verse/loud chorus mould that was the cornerstone of the legendary American group’s success.
I also adored the beautiful fuzzy solo, which hit gorgeously after the chorus, as well as the feedback bridges between the verses and choruses that perfectly build anticipation.
If you like big choruses with a fuzzier edge, then why not give this one a try!
The latest single from Frazer Lambert shows the Stockton singer-songwriter at their best bearing his soul to gorgeously rich results.
Opening with an ornate brass section, the influence of the likes of Al Green and Marvin Gaye is immediately evident, with a soulful feeling woven throughout the track.
All of this combines to bring a very chilled vibe, placing the emphasis on Lambert’s excellent vocals.
Performed exquisitely, these vocals are both personal and calming, allowing the track to hit the heights.
Overall, this track brings a great ’70s soul vibe, which is incredibly pleasing to the ear. If you’re in the mood for something with a lot of heart, this one is for you.
A few weeks ago, I caught up with Sean McKinney of Morning Tourist to discuss his brilliant project, his UK tour (including his Newcastle stop) and exciting future plans.
Our conversation began on a gorgeously autumnal Sunday morning with an update on that latest happenings in the world of Morning Tourist:
“I’ve just finished recording a single, which should hopefully be wrapped up by the end of the week. I’m not sure what this signals the beginning of. The last thing we did was release the LP The Endless Eve in 2023, and before that, we put out an EP that got printed on vinyl and found a home with a label. It was a big moment for the project, being able to present something to people that they could hold and listen to. I’m a huge fan of albums because I love the idea of a collection of work representing a cycle of life or mood.”
This sense of cohesion certainly shines through in Morning Tourist’s music which blends a personal tone with intricate songwriting. McKinney is proud of the personality within his music and is determined to keep it central as he moves forward with new projects under the new production guidance of Ben Andrews.
Morning Tourist Live In Newcastle
“A mate advised me against jumping into a new album too quickly, in case it overshadowed Endless Eve. I’ve been working on new material, but we had to switch producers, as my last one has become a farmer and is now occupied with turnips! It was a bit of a leap, as he helped shape the sound significantly, so parting ways was bittersweet.
However, working with Ben Andrews has been great and really exciting. I’ve brought in some of the touring band to record, which has added richness to the sound.”
Finding the balance between maintaining the DNA of the project and introducing new elements has been important to McKinney:
“It does make me nervous, as I want the music to feel like it’s from the same author, even with new producers and members. The new music we’ve recorded so far isn’t a huge departure, but it does have a slightly different tone, with new instruments in the mix.
I wrote a song on piano, which is a bit different from my previous work, though it’s still firmly within indie rock singer-songwriter territory.”
I really wanted to get to the heart of what drove McKinney to produce the music he does as Morning Tourist and it’s origins came from an interesting place.
“I always joke that my first influence was Bart Simpson. He’s rock ‘n’ roll without being a guitarist or anything like that. As I was growing up, he represented rebellion, and it made me think that rebellion was cool, which is at the heart of rock ‘n’ roll.
I first really got into music around 11 or 12. My brother’s mate had a Green Day album—I think it was Nimrod. From there, I got into groups like The Offspring. Those bands were crucial, as they taught me how to write songs using power chords and verse-chorus-verse structures, which helped me start as a songwriter.
I played bass in a couple of punk bands as a teenager, but as I was writing the songs, I started gravitating towards the guitar. That led me to more songwriter-oriented, acoustic music like Bright Eyes and Death Cab for Cutie.
I began moving away from punk rock and exploring other forms of music. I was definitely a product of the indie boom of the 2000s, with bands like The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys, but I also love Simon & Garfunkel, Michael Jackson, and James Brown—my parents’ influence.
I do get excited by the Cohens and Dylans of the world; I always gravitate towards the song.”
This is something which definitely runs through Morning Tourist’s work with a clear emphasis placed on the song which McKinney perfects before getting to the fun part of “dressing up the song”.
Morning Tourist are currently in the midst of UK Tour, which takes them to Newcastle (Tuesday 12th of November 2024) and also Carlisle. I wanted his take on touring and life as an independent DIY artist in 2024.
Morning Tourist Tour Dates
“I’m really excited about the tour. I’ll be visiting places I’ve never been, like Glasgow, and returning to spots like Manchester and Sheffield. I’ll be playing some new material live, which I’m looking forward to.
I love touring—exploring cities, meeting people at shows, everything about it is great. We played in the Netherlands recently, and each gig had a unique vibe, from bars to audiences of 300 people. It was exhilarating.”
“The music landscape is quite saturated, though I don’t think that’s entirely new. The democratisation has been good, but it’s harder than ever to get paid, and it’s become a contest of who can shout the loudest.
I understand there’s a game of self-marketing, but I won’t compromise my integrity. I wouldn’t even be on social media if I didn’t make music. I’m not a content creator; I make music, and there are certain things I simply won’t do. I want to maintain integrity and create something lasting.”
That commitment to integrity is evident when listening to Morning Tourist’s back catalogue, filled with distinct songs full of personality. That level of songwriting talent has seen him share the bill with the likes of Mel C and hit the heights of playing Glastonbury twice. I wanted to know how these experiences differed from regular gigs.
“I love festivals, and we’ve been lucky enough to play Glastonbury twice. This year, we played the Green Futures stage on Friday, which was brilliant, as people were full of energy. All my friends came, so it was amazing. The year before, we played Friday and Sunday, which was a dream moment.
We’ve also played Lake Fest and HowTheLightGetsIn in Wales, where we even met Billy Bragg. We did Left of the Dial in the Netherlands, which felt like a bootcamp for emerging musicians. There’s one big room where everyone hangs out together. I’d love to play End of the Road at some point if anyone from the festival is reading!”
Hopefully someone is! Morning Tourist is currently touring the UK and will be playing The Wandering Oak on Tuesday, 12th November with support from Newcastle via Nottingham soul pop artist Remy CB and the previously featured J.W Darwin. Find tickets here.
Combining hard rock guitars and melodic songwriting, Ricky Clark has struck upon a winning formula with this mod-rock single.
The new single from Ricky Clark shows the artist’s eclectic taste, drawing influence from across the rock spectrum – from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers to the mod stylings of 90’s Paul Weller.
This is immediately clear from the song’s opening moments, which have a classic rock feel and an almost spooooky vibe, fitting perfectly with the season of its release.
However, Clark breaks away from this into a very RCHP feeling verse, featuring a hint of a sneering Liam Gallagher-style vocal powering the song along.
The momentum builds on the bridge, which features an excellent melodic falsetto that lingers in your memory.
Eventually, the track breaks down into a middle eight reminiscent of Arctic Monkeys’ Pretty Visitors, adding a menacing tone that complements the song perfectly.
Praise is certainly due for the songwriting on display, which shows both variation and attention to detail, especially in the song’s structure.
Overall, this is a really fun, guitar heavy track, perfect for fans of bands such as Ocean Colour Scene and Paul Weller.
The latest single from The Agency and The Samphires is a masterclass in atmosphere and storytelling, taking you on a darkly ominous journey.
Drawing influence from the likes of Nick Cave, the track blends cinematic themes with a dark aesthetic, which works incredibly well. Featuring the voices of The Samphires’ Elise Shields and Rosa Thomas in a hypnotic call-and-response waltz, the emphasis is firmly on the song’s lyrics.
It’s fortunate then that they really shine building a captivating story that matches the musical background painted by the groups. The whole thing sounds like how I feel the film The Lighthouse would sound if put to music.
The mood is set immediately with the introduction of the deepest of dark synths engulfing your entire ear creating the omnious feel which is reflect within the lyrics.
Lyrically, the track has a fairy tale or nursery rhyme quality, revolving around the “harbour” mentioned within the song’s title, with the duet working well between the two groups.
The whole thing leads to a spooky vibe that suits the season perfectly and is almost certainly one for those who are fans of atmospheric music with well-thought-out lyrics.
Friday night saw art-pop outfit Amateur Ornithologist celebrate their anniversary at The Globe with a vibrant live performance.
The night began with support from Sheffield’s May Days In Barcelona, who brought a different vibe to proceedings with a shoegaze-inspired brand of folk that was truly magical to witness.
May Days In Barcelona – Live at The Globe – 18/10/24
An awful lot of effort went into their performance, featuring numerous looper pedals, a violin and a guitar. This 100% paid off, delivering a captivating and engaging performance that silenced the room.
With songs inspired by such things as birds of prey, it’s no surprise that the set felt majestic and beautiful. The set was concluded by a wonderful cover of Smile! No One Cares How You Feel!, which rounded off the musically rich show well.
They were followed by Belle Skies, who shifted the mood from shoegaze-inspired folk to full blown indie rock. I was impressed by the groups stage prescence, which was both captivating and engaging, further enhancing their very unique style of indie rock.
Clad head to toe in medieval regalia, the group took influence from the least obvious places with songs inspired by Saint Rose of Lima, the patron saint of embroidery, and Nosferatu.
This all led to fun and surreal pieces of indie rock, which seemed to draw inspiration from the 2000s with twinkling synths, strings and riotous guitars.
The whole thing came together very well leaving an impression and showcasing their crop of great indie rock songs.
Belle Skies – Live at The Globe –18/10/24
Next up were headliners Amateur Ornithlogist, who decorated the stage in beautiful autumnal leaves and even dotted a few fake crows about for added effect. The group really took full advantage of their headline slot bringing energy and costumes aplenty to bring something different to their show.
However, the focus was fully on the performance, which was executed to perfection with the stage presence matching the quality of the songwriting on show. The whole thing popped with colour and excitement.
Musically, the band falls somewhere in between musical theatre, Talking Heads, and David Bowie, crafting a unique blend of traditional pop and new wave.
The combination of violins, guitars and thumping bass worked incredibly well to create a collage of fun, colourful songs with meaningful lyrics to boot.
Frontman Daniel Clifford’s vocals were excellent, injecting something special into each tune. This was further enhanced by the amazing lyrics, which flickered between personal topics and playful whimsy.
Amateur Ornithologist – Live at The Globe – 18/10/24
Particular highlights included When They Fall, with it’s epic Bowie-esque feel, and Birds Fly Over Me, which has been stuck in my head for days since the gig.
The instrumentation was fantastic throughout the night, with the band sounding tight. I especially want to praise the guitar work, which was truly excellent, without being overly showy with its beautifully clean tones.
The night concluded with a noncore that treated the crowd to a fun cover of Boney M’s Rasputin, a fittingly enjoyable finale with the band’s Talking Heads vibe turned up to ten.
Overall, I had a thoroughly enjoyable Friday night, and I’m excited to see where the group goes next as they depart the live scene to create their next album.
Humbug North East 