2013: An overview from some of the best up and coming bands of the moment!

 

As we approach AB Records' first ever New Year we catch up with some of the bands that have graced our blog over the past few months and we also feature future interviewees such as mod boys The Spitfires, soul boys Man & The Echo and the legendary Henry Priestman.

 

Before we get going thanks to Mamas Lips for the sounds they have brought to us over the last couple of years and best of luck with their future projects. Hopefully Mamas Lips will make a comeback in the not to distant future.

 

We hope to see many of you in the new year, you can keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

For this feature, we asked each band a set of five questions to which they provided their own individual responses to.

 

Have a read...

 

         

 

Question 1 - What’s the best thing you’ve heard all year?

Thomas McConnell: "The best thing I've heard this year must be Paul McCartney's new album, 'New'...he's still the greatest at 71!"

 

Garry (Button Up): "James Skelly And The Intruders - 'Love Undercover' - stunning."

 

Darling BOY: "My nephew laughing. The Everything Everything and Duckworth Lewis Method records. Every utterance of 'Alex, do you want a cup of tea?'"

 

Pedro (Casual Agenda): "The unmissable rotation of shopping trolley wheels around the Wharf Bar's dance floor. Oh, and how could I forget, Dappy getting kicked in the face by a horse!"

 

Bill (Bel Esprit): "Listening to Babyshambles’ 'Farmer's Daughter' for the first time was the best thing. Say what you want, he can still sing."

 

Glenn (Groovy Uncle): "'Clarifoil' / 'Never Been To California' by Bronco Bullfrog."

 

Ted (Decoy Jet): "Close tie between Arcade Fire's 'Reflektor' album and Kermit the frog - 'Wrecking Ball'."

 

Jason (The Electric Stars): "Temples."

 

Joe (Casual Agenda): "'The Notion'!"

 

George (Bel Esprit): "The squeal of horror as I walked in on my flatmate stealing my milk after repeatedly denying it."

 

Nick (New Street Adventure): "The new Arctic Monkeys album."

 

Mark (DC Fontana): "(Das) Poltergeist - 'Your Mind Is A Box (Let Us Fill it With Wonder)' and the incredible unreleased 'Pro-Juicer' by Kiosk."

 

Kerry (Tilt Shift Music): "I didn't even have to think about this question! 2013 I haven't had any time at all to listen to anything other than the music I am working with or the music I get sent really. I was totally blown away the first time I heard 'Sure Enough' from Red Sails, musical perfection! And it remains one of my favourite songs of the year! Also the young guy I work with, Luke Cusato, recorded his debut single recently at Parr St Studios in Liverpool with producer Rich Turvey. Rich is a fantastic producer and I knew the result would be special, the result was epic. The release of this track in early 2014 will be the start of something big, remember I told you first!"

 

Gaz (Man & The Echo): "The best thing I've heard all year? I don't listen to very much in the way of new music, not because I don't like it or have anything against it, simply because I've not finished listening to everything that was released in the sixties yet. Plus a lot of new music seems to be by people with thick arms who look good in T-shirts, and I have an innate mistrust of well built musicians. I did enjoy the new Duckworth Lewis Method album, and Fush (bass player) keeps telling me about various new bands which I always assure him I will listen to. I finally got Billy Stewart's 'Secret Love' on vinyl, so that would probably be the best thing I heard this year."

 

Sachin (Bel Esprit): "'Reflektor' by Arcade Fire."

 

Rich (The Broxton Hundred): "If we're talking albums then 'AM' - Arctic Monkeys ran away with it. If we're talking singles then Daft Punk - 'Get Lucky' was a clear stand out single."

 

Henry Priestman: "Bill Fay - 'Life Is People'."

 

Dan (Casual Agenda): "John Grant - ''Pale Green Ghosts'."

 

Frans (The Most): "The Strypes and We Are The Mods radio show."

 

Fahad (Bel Esprit): "'Inhaler' by Foals or 'Don’t Swallow the Cap' by The National."

 

Billy (The Spitfires): "Arctic Monkeys - 'AM'."

Little Liam: "The best thing I've heard this year without being biased is Simon Fowler's Merrymouth. Love the style, love the music and of course the people!"

Joel (The Last Of The Troubadours): "I think it's been a great year for music! I really loved 'AM'. Such a cool album."

 

Aaron (Stone Thieves): "James Skelly & The Intenders - 'Love Undercover'. Such a belting album. Proper songs. Proper singer. Proper instrumentation. Every song on that record could be a hit."

 

         

 

Question 2 - What’s the worst thing you’ve heard all year?

 

Thomas McConnell: "I can't think of anything specific but there's definitely been some really shit pop come out this year. I can't stand Mumford & Sons and all that Topman we're-rich-but-look-poor-folk."

 

Garry (Button Up): "I don't listen to shit records but watched Robbie Williams and Olly Murs sing a jungle book song, horrific."

 

Darling BOY: "Can't think of any truly terrible music I've heard - must have been a vintage year! Every utterance of 'Alex, we've run out of teabags'."

 

Pedro (Casual Agenda): "James Blunt is still making music."

 

Bill (Bel Esprit): "Relentless Vietnamese pop on a night bus while coping with food poisoning."

 

Glenn (Groovy Uncle): "Almost everything played on mainstream daytime radio."

 

Ted (Decoy Jet): "Another close tie between the foxes fighting outside my house at 4AM last week and Kanye West - 'Bound 2'."

 

Jason (The Electric Stars): "Everything on Radio 1..."

 

Joe (Casual Agenda): "Not sure, anything with a '#' in the title."

 

George (Bel Esprit): "A similar noise as they then caught me stealing their milk."

 

Nick (New Street Adventure): "The new Mayer Hawthorne album."

 

Mark (DC Fontana): "Traumatic stuff in my personal life which led my cerebral cereal box to dish out a little snap crackle and pop resulting in lyrics to a new DC tune called 'Bluebells & Peacocks'."

 

Kerry (Tilt Shift Music): "Ooo I can think of a few things that just haven't been my thing. I do tend to think that everything has it's place though. People put so much heart and soul into their music that it would be unfair for me to say what's worse than others...music is so subjective! That's why you have people like Lily Allen doing covers of Keane songs! Need I say more!"

 

Gaz (Man & The Echo): "The worst thing? Dunno, I'm pretty insulated from bad music as I don't watch TV much and hardly listen to the radio, except 6music. Have you noticed when you're in a cheap shop like Home Bargains or Matalan they have re-recordings of pop songs with karaoke singers singing them? I think its to avoid paying royalties. I heard one with a guy singing 'I Predict A Riot' and he ran out of breath on the big 'whoah', so that would probably be the worst thing I heard."

 

Sachin (Bel Esprit): "'Upstarts' by Johnny Marr."

 

Rich (The Broxton Hundred): "Anything from James Arthur."

 

Henry Priestman: "Don't really do negativity, we're all trying to make a go of it, but there IS a hell of a lot of rubbish around! How about, worst thing I've heard all year...all the guff the politicians speak!"

 

Dan: "Justin Bieber - anything he has released."

 

Frans (The Most): "The deaths of Gypie Mayo and Lou Reed."

 

Fahad (Bel Esprit): "'Wrecking Ball' by Miley Cyrus takes the biscuit."

 

Billy (The Spitfires): "That awful track 'Radioactive' that XFM and Absolute play every fucking day."

Little Liam: "This is a hard one because most of the stuff in the charts today is bollocks so yeah, too many to list!"

 

Joel (The Last Of The Troubadours): "The creation of McBusted!"

Aaron (Stone Thieves): "'I Love It' - Icona Pop. That song ruined my summer. Everywhere you went it was their. Like a bad smell."

 

         

 

Question 3 - What's the best gig you’ve been to this year?

 

Thomas McConnell: "I've only been to a couple this year because I've been so busy myself but it's got to be the Radio 6 gig / Q&A with Paul McCartney in October."

 

Garry (Button Up): "Toots And The Maytals in Glasgow ABC."

 

Darling BOY: "The Soho Hobo at the Groucho Club. Duckworth Lewis Method at Lord's."

 

Pedro (Casual Agenda): "The Rifles. Just an epic band. Underrated!"

 

Bill (Bel Esprit): "Palma Violets at the 100 Club."

 

Glenn (Groovy Uncle): "Zervas And Pepper at St Pancras Old Church."

 

Ted (Decoy Jet): "Hard Rock Calling hands down; Miles Kane, The View, Kasabian, Paul Weller and loads more."

 

Jason (The Electric Stars): "The Wonderwall Festival in Germany."

 

Joe (Casual Agenda): "Tough one, not been to as many as I would have liked, Johnny Marr at the Wulfrun in Wolverhampton does stand out."

 

George (Bel Esprit): "Everything Everything."

 

Nick (New Street Adventure): "Arctic Monkeys at Earls Court!"

 

Mark (DC Fontana): "Plastic Palace People at The Gutter."

 

Kerry (Tilt Shift Music): "Again so, so many to choose from...I do at least two gigs a week! I had a great time recently at The Cavern in Liverpool. Red Sails, Colour and Soho Riots were all brilliant. If this goes live after 21st December I am going to have to say Ali Ingle's Do Robots Dream Of Christmas at EVAC in Liverpool! Ali is my son, and my younger son Oli, is supporting him with a DJ set...it'll be Oli's debut gig so just a bit of a special night for me! Also am pretty excited about seeing The Tea Street band 19th December at EVAC too!! Brilliant band who are just electric live!"

 

Gaz (Man & The Echo): "The best gig was without doubt The Duckworth Lewis Method at Manchester Academy, a really tight band, their enjoyment of the gig was infectious and Neil Hannon is a fantastic entertainer."

 

Sachin (Bel Esprit): "Arcade Fire at the Roundhouse."

 

Rich (The Broxton Hundred): "Well as a band we attended The Stone Roses at Finsbury Park that was of course amazing. And I also went to Glasto so The Stones and Chic were also amazing."

 

Henry Priestman: "Low at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral the other week...transcendental stuff."

 

Dan (Casual Agenda): "The Rifles."

 

Frans (The Most): "Mavis Staples live in Uppsala May 2013."

 

Fahad (Bel Esprit): "Arctic Monkeys at London Earls Court, Suede at Southampton Guildhall or Biffy Clyro at le Trianon, Paris."

 

Billy (The Spitfires): "Arctic Monkeys at Earls Court."

 

Little Liam: "Ok I haven't been to too many gigs this year but of course without a doubt December 14th, Ocean Colour Scene - Marchin' Already Tour, it was my era of being around their studio and also I think my favourite!"

Joel (The Last Of The Troubadours): "For the overall experience of how we did it, and the spoilt way we got to enjoy it, Kasabian at the Olympic Park."

Aaron (Stone Thieves): "Springsteen at the Olympic Park. Shows why he is the boss every time. Also the Black Crowes were on the bill as well."

 

         

 

Question 4 - What’s the best thing to happen to you all year?

 

Thomas McConnell: "Going to the gig with McCartney I mentioned and getting to ask him a question, only for him to know who I was from the cover of 'New' I did...an unbelievable dream come true."

 

Garry (Button Up): "Playing in London and Birmingham with Button Up, just back tonight."

 

Darling BOY: "Argentina. Touring with great mates. Being whisked to Vegas as a birthday present. Cups of tea. Seeing my friend Sophie smile."

 

Pedro (Casual Agenda): "Writing tunes, playing your music to people, the hustle and bustle of getting gigs, buying guitars, recording, breaking strings. All of this with your mates! It doesn't get any better than that does it?"

 

Bill (Bel Esprit): "Forming this band, starting uni."

 

Glenn (Groovy Uncle): "Recording and releasing our latest album 'One Vowel Away From The Truth'."

 

Ted (Decoy Jet): "Starting Decoy Jet."

 

Jason (The Electric Stars): "Being asked to record a song for a Hollies psychedelic compilation album! It was released on limited edition coloured vinyl and sold out in two weeks...We met The Hollies at their Manchester show on stage at The Lowry and the press turned up, next thing we are on the front page of the local paper!"

 

Joe (Casual Agenda): "Gonna be mushy and say my misses, but also getting Dan Bott in on the drums, the kid is a living legend."

 

George (Bel Esprit): "Starting uni."

 

Nick (New Street Adventure): "Billy Farr returning on the lead guitar."

 

Mark (DC Fontana): "It has been a real 'annus horriblis' for me and the sooner 2013 f**** right off and doesn't darken the doorstep of my memory again the better. It will be but a couple of things stick out...firstly Rosemary Pratka and secondly being asked to play bass with The Sorrows as well as DC Fontana."

 

Kerry (Tilt Shift Music): "On a professional level the best thing has been watching the growth of Tilt Shift. We had a fantastic launch party at The Kazimier Gardens back in June...incredible night of live music surrounded by the support of my family and friends was pretty cool. Since then things have just gone from strength to strength. Also travelling to Berlin for some meetings with Luke Cusato was pretty epic! Also I have to say meeting bands like Red Sails and Colour. On a more personal level there are far too many things to name...all my kids have made me so proud this year...my son signing a record deal...my daughter graduating...another going off to uni! My family are everything to me and they never cease to amaze me how they've grown up so incredible."

 

Gaz (Man & The Echo): "The best thing to happen was the positive reaction to our debut single, 'Beg'. Within hours of releasing it we were being talked up by James Endeacott (head of 1965 Records and former A&R man for Rough Trade) and the single got a play on Geoff Lloyd's Unknown Pleasures show on Absolute Radio."

 

Sachin (Bel Esprit): "Getting majorly into The National and Interpol."

 

Rich (The Broxton Hundred): "I got a dog, that's pretty fecking sweet, not very rock and roll but it's my answer."

 

Henry Priestman: "Finally finishing my album 'The Last Mad Surge of Youth'."

 

Dan (Casual Agenda): "Joining Casual Agenda."

 

Frans (The Most): "Gigging in the UK, Germany and Spain."

 

Fahad (Bel Esprit): "Got new tubes in my amp, sounds like a joke but seriously it sounds great."

 

Billy (The Spitfires): "Going on our first tour and the positive reaction we’ve had from many people we’ve met on our travels."

 

Little Liam: "I think the best thing to happen this year is Mr Fowler joining us on stage at Welfest which was a dream come true!"

Joel (The Last Of The Troubadours): "It's split between playing the Isle of Wight Festival and walking out to a breath taking sea of people at the Carnaby Sound Festival."

Aaron (Stone Thieves): "We played some really good shows this year and we loved them all. Our local ones make it all worth while. But Cardiff back in April was belting! The Welsh were mad for it! And we got to play a show case at the Pretty Green clothing store in the city centre. We also released our debut EP early this year, which held its own in Reverbnation's unsigned rock chart, reaching no. 43 in regional poles."

 

         

 

Question 5 - What are you looking forward to in 2014?

 

Thomas McConnell: "I'm hoping things will keep going the way they appear to be at the moment, more gigs around the country and more tunes!"

 

Garry (Button Up): "Recording new Button Up album 'Beat Street' in January 2014."

 

Darling BOY: "Loads of touring. Loads of good times. Loads of writing. Loads of tea."

 

Pedro (Casual Agenda): "Playing Wembley Stadium."

 

Bill (Bel Esprit): "Saints winning the title."

 

Glenn (Groovy Uncle): "Getting to work on a new recording project."

 

Ted (Decoy Jet): "Loads of great debut albums from Dexters, The Sundowners, Findlay, Baby Strange, Life In Film and Temples."

 

Jason (The Electric Stars): "In 2014 we are going to release more material including our second album."

 

Joe (Casual Agenda): "Got a new tune on the horizon (hopefully you will review it again!) which is gonna sound ace. Looking forward to playing at some new venues that we've got confirmed in the new year..."

 

George (Bel Esprit): "Finishing uni for the summer."

 

Nick (New Street Adventure): "The release of our debut album!"

 

Mark (DC Fontana): "2014 will be a busy year for both DC Fontana and The Sorrows. As well as recording the second DC album which we are at the very earliest stages of sorting now. Looks like we will be heading back to Europe to spread the new DC Fontana sound and that’s also a huge thrill. On so many levels I instinctively feel that 2014 is going to be an 'UP' year for me both in a personal sense as well as a musical one."

 

Kerry (Tilt Shift Music): "Things being as brilliant as 2012 and 2013! Also a feckin' holiday might be nice!"

 

Gaz (Man & The Echo): "In 2014 we're looking forward to gigging more and hopefully touring. We've also got a stack of new material so we're all keen to get in the studio and get some more material out there in the early new year. We're hoping it's gonna be a very busy year for us."

 

Sachin (Bel Esprit): "New Warpaint album."

 

Rich (The Broxton Hundred): "As a band we're looking forward to doing some live shows outside London, northern cities and abroad. Heading back into the studio to do a live session of us just playing. Bit like Abbey Road live in session but it's a tiny studio in Camden."

 

Henry Priestman: "Release of the album (out February 17th 2014)...and more importantly, my 25th wedding anniversary!"

 

Dan (Casual Agenda): "Casual Agenda!"

 

Frans (The Most): "More gigs and record releases."

 

Fahad (Bel Esprit): "Potential tour from The Strokes."

 

Billy (The Spitfires): "Going back on the road, home and abroad, and more recording."

 

Little Liam: "Gigging again & more recording I think!"

Joel (The Last Of The Troubadours): "The first Last Of The Troubadours album."

Aaron (Stone Thieves): "The calendar is shaping up nicely for 2014 already, we are looking forward to every event we are down to take part in. Especially 'March of the Mods' in association with Teenage Cancer Trust in the spring. Great bands for a great cause. This will be taking place in Camden somewhere we believe. We also are planning another release, probably a promo single. We are mainly looking forward to playing shows with other decent bands and seeing all the faces again from last year and a lot of new ones we hope! We would like to take this time to thank all the believers! We've got one more show next week at The Horn, St. Albans on Saturday 21st.

 

                

 

Hope you enjoyed our end of year feature!

 

Big thanks to all the artists featured above! Also, a big thanks to all the other bands that have featured on the blog over the last few months! And, once again, thank you to Mamas Lips for the tunes and the rock and roll - hopefully see you again one day soon!

 

Check us out on our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

And we leave you with the immortal words of Stone Thieves frontman Aaron Gardner... "shine on..." and see you all in 2014 when we will be bringing you plenty more of the latest up and coming bands, singer/songwriters, producers, record labels and much more. Have a good one!

 

Thanks

 

AB RECORDS

WORRIED ABOUT...: We review Thomas McConnell's latest EP and he also talks us through it track by track!

PART 1 - "AB SAYS"

 

Here, AB Records gives you a review of Thomas McConnell's latest EP - 'Worried About Thomas McConnell'. Sit back, relax and have a read...

 

"Thomas McConnell is back! You may remember that in 2012, Thomas came bursting onto the scene with his debut EP and single, both entitled 'Stop In The Shade'. Since then he has released various covers of Beatles tracks, toured furiously, been featured on one of Mojo Magazine's cover CD's and gained acclaim from the likes of Ian McNabb and Macca himself. Not a bad start! Thomas has now just made his follow up with a second EP, the superb 'Worried About Thomas McConnell'. From the title, to the artwork, to the tracks themselves, the EP is a work of art. His heavy influence from The Beatles continues to prevail, no surprise considering one of his first ever memories was hearing 'Hello Goodbye' in the backseat of a car. However, he is no Beatles tribute act, he very successfully puts his own spin on an already tried and tested sound. The EP kicks off with 'Blame It On Rebecca', which, throughout its three minutes, grows into an exciting and jumpy song with superb instrumentation. This is followed by the slightly more laid back 'Penelope Definitely' with vocals that sound as if they have been performed by a young Liam Gallagher circa 'Definitely Maybe'. No bad thing! This then gives way to the EP's slowest number, 'John'. Perhaps the most meaningful song to Thomas on the EP as he has revealed that it is in the memory of his granddad, dad and, to a lesser extent, John Lennon. It was also written and recorded on the night of the death of his granddad, perhaps giving the song its bare sound and from-the-heart tone as Thomas quizzically asked 'where have you gone John?' The EP is concluded with the Sgt. Pepper-influenced 'Just A Little Bit, Jill' (trumpets and all). Perhaps the best song on the EP, it provides the perfect contrast to the bare 'John' as the bouncy rhythm and trumpets carry the EP to its natural end. Overall, a superb slice of pop, rock, glam, psychedelia and beat and with more acclaim coming in Thomas' direction everyday it won't be long until we see him up on the big stage following in the footsteps of his idols, The Beatles. In conclusion then, based on these four tracks, we have absolutely no reason to be worrying about Thomas McConnell!"

 

PART 2 - "THOMAS SAYS"

 

Here, Thomas talks up through the EP track by track and in depth...

 

'Blame It On Rebecca'

"I wrote this one in 2012 after hearing an Elvis Costello song called 'Blame It On Cain'. At the time, the Leveson Inquiry into phone hacking was all over the news and I felt like blaming something on someone, so I chose the name Rebecca because of Rebekah Brooks. It sort of became my most well-known song with a certain crowd of musicians I know, because it went down well at Ian Prowse's Monday Club (which is a night I often play at) so it definitely had to be the first track on the EP. In earlier versions it was quite heavily arranged so I decided to strip it back to give it a fifties, Gene Vincent-feel but combined with my Beatles/Bowie image I thought it had a glam quality, especially when the air-raid siren like synth comes in near the end shooting it into another decade. This was the only track on the EP that was entirely recorded in Newcastle. The stand-out moment of the session for me was doing the Little Richard-esque vocal at the end, I like doing a bit of shoutin'..."

 

'Penelope Definitely'

"This was written when I was about seventeen at my grandparents' house in Newcastle. I'd probably just been playing The Beatles' "Things We Said Today" to myself on the guitar because I've taken the strummyness of that tune for my own. It's a song about an imaginary, perfect girl called Penelope. That name has various sixties connotations (Penelope Pitstop, Lady Penelope) so I guess that's why I like it. I wanted this one to sound like perfect, orchestrated, precisely arranged, sixties sunshine pop and luckily, I think that's how it turned out."

 

'John'

"John was written and recorded last December on the night my granddad (John) died. It's a tribute to him, my dad (also called John) who died when I was twelve and to a lesser extent, John Lennon. I didn't really see the point in re-recording to make it more fancy and I'm really glad I didn't because it's better for it. It's definitely the most sombre point of the whole EP but it's also my favourite track on it. It's very bare in the same way John Lennon's, 'Plastic Ono Band' is but I've put a slightly more psychedelic spin on it."

 

'Just A Little Bit, Jill'

"This is the blistering, uber-Macca pop, bouncy piano ending to the EP. After the sadness of 'John' I quite like the way it just suddenly explodes back to happiness for the final track. This is another track I wrote at my grandparents', this time at the start of 2011. It's easily the most Beatley song on the disc but in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way - especially with the faux-mouthed trumpets. I think when I wrote it I was trying to write a happy version of 'For No One'. It's got a similar falling chord sequence but mine's obviously a lot more upbeat."

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Thomas McConnell! Check out our previous feature on No Matarás!

 

Check out Thomas McConnell here - https://www.facebook.com/thomasmcconnellmusic

 

You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB RECORDS

BLAME IT ON REBECCA: The fiftieth artist to appear on the blog is Thomas McConnell - check out this interview with him!

 

PART 1 - "THE INTERVIEW"

1 - What was your first musical memory and what pushed you towards pursuing a career in the record industry?

 

"My first musical memory is hearing "Hello Goodbye" in the car when I was very, very little - that's the first song I remember. I also used to "dance" (sway back and forth) to people talking on the telly. I don't think anything pushed me towards it to be honest, I just knew that was what I was going to do in some shape or form."

 

2 - Had you been involved with any other bands prior to becoming a solo artist as Thomas McConnell?

 

"I've played music with people in their houses but never really anything properly. I did the odd open-mic and one gig in a band called The Railways, and I used to play guitar with my mate Joe in school, but I've mostly grown up doing it on my own."

 

3 - Why did you choose to become a solo artist instead of forming a band?

 

"I learnt how to do music on my own really from quite a young age but I always intended to get a band. I was in one for a very short while but that experience made me realise and remember that I'd been teaching myself what to do for six years previously. I also like doing all the instruments and found myself getting frustrated in a band when I couldn't play them all."

 

4 - How would you describe the sound of Thomas McConnell?

 

"Heavily Beatles-inspired pop/rock merged with other influences, all with my twist on it."

 

5 - Ian McNabb has already hailed you his new 'favourite act' and Paul McCartney himself has shared one of your videos online. How did it feel to get such a compliment from a well established artist and to have the support of a Beatle?

 

"Fantastic, Ian's been a great supporter of my music which has been great. Especially when you consider what he knows and what he's done, it's quite flattering to think he likes my stuff enough to have me gigging with him and record with him. The Paul tweet was a dream come true as he's been my hero since I was about six years old. Paul McCartney is one of the only people in the world where it matters to me if they think I'm alright or not and he must think I'm alright or the tweet/facebook post wouldn't have happened. That's been such an unbelievable confidence boost for me."

 

  6 - You recently released your EP, 'Worried About Thomas McConnell'. Why did you choose this title?

 

"I like titles where it mentions the artist and something about them like "With The Beatles", "Beatles For Sale" and I'm a bit of a worrier..."

 

7 - How would you describe this EP and what influenced it?

 

"I think it's quite eclectic but all the songs fit together well. It's got bits of fifties, sixties and seventies influences all mixed in.  It still has Beatle roots but David Bowie informed quite a lot of the work on it too, even if it doesn't necessarily sound like it. "Blame It On Rebecca" has got a Gene Vincent feel until the 70's synth comes in at the end like an air-raid siren - that's one of my favourite bits from the EP. "Penelope Definitely" is quite heavily arranged/orchestrated 60's pop and "Just A Little Bit, Jill" is probably the most Beatley track with the bouncy Macca pianos and faux mouthed-trumpets."

 

8 - One of the songs on the EP is 'John'. What influenced this song and what is the song itself about?

 

"That song is a tribute to my dad, granddad and to a lesser extent, John Lennon, but he is still someone who's very important to me. It's sort of psychedelic Plastic Ono Band and one of my most bare songs."

 

9 - Do you have any 'rituals' before going on stage?

 

"Not really but I usually go through a minute of feeling a little bit nervous then the next minute I'm just telling myself, "What's really the worst that could happen?" and then I'm usually fine. I don't really get stage fright in the first place though."

 

10 - Any live dates coming up?

 

"I have a tour coming up at the end of this year that goes around the whole UK. Some dates supporting Ian McNabb but the majority are supporting a great Brighton-based band called The Vinyls."

 

11 - Any new songs in the pipeline?

 

"There's always things I'm working on yeah, I revisit and update old songs a lot too. I've been writing quite a bit recently and have put a few of the results up on soundcloud ("Hello!" and "To Your Right") so more may follow."

 

12 - When can fans be expecting the next release?

 

"I don't really know yet. I'm planning to do a few more music videos so I imagine those will be the next things to happen. More tunes will definitely be coming out at some point, hopefully in the not-too-distant future."

 

13 - Who would be your dream collaboration?

 

"Paul McCartney."

 

14 - Who would be in your dream super group?

 

"The Beatles with David Bowie, The Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Oasis: THE BEAROLLWIESTEENSIS."

 

PART 2 - "THE QUICKFIRE ROUND"

 

1 - Favourite Beatle?

 

"Paul."

 

2 - Favourite band?

 

"The Beatles."

 

3 - Favourite new band?

 

"Tame Impala."

 

4 - Favourite song?

 

"Any Beatles song."

 

5 - Favourite album?

 

"Any Beatles album."

 

6 - Vinyl, CD or download?

 

"I'd like to say vinyl but I get more CD's than anything."

 

7 - Style icon?

 

"The Beatles."

 

8 - Favourite clothing brand?

 

"Don't know or use any brands...eBay and charity shops."

 

9 - Favourite film?

 

"Any of the Toy Stories..."

 

10 - Favourite TV show?

 

"Vic Reeves Big Night Out or The Office."

 

11 - Who would play you in a film of your life?

 

"Ian McNabb... but some people say I look like Paul Dano from Little Miss Sunshine."

 

12 - Favourite food?

 

"French onion soup."

 

13 - Football team?

 

"What's football."

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Thomas McConnell! Check out our previous feature on Jack Souter!

 

Check out Thomas McConnell here - https://www.facebook.com/thomasmcconnellmusic

 

Thomas will be playing the following dates:

Nov 27 - Newcastle - The Star & Shadow Theatre

Nov 28 - Stockton - The Georgian Theatre

Dec 3 - Glasgow - Nice n Sleazy

Dec 4 - Edinburgh - Sneaky Petes

Dec 5 - Newcastle - The Dog & Parrot

Dec 6 - Manchester - Dulcimer

Dec 7 - Liverpool  - Bumper

Dec 8 - Leicester - The Shed

Dec 9 - Swindon - The Vic

Dec 10 - Exeter - The Cavern

Dec 11 - Southampton - Lennons

Dec 12 - Birmingham - Actress & Bishop

Dec 14 - London - The Hope & Anchor

 

You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB Records