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ep46

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You can listen to every episode of Nick Tann’s Fresh Music Fix right here on nicktannsfreshmusicfix.com, or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or via RSS.

Subscribe to the email list and get a reminder every Monday when a new episode drops.

If you enjoy the show and would like to support it, you can also become a supporter on Patreon.

I’m Nick Tann, musician and songwriter, sharing the best new music you haven’t heard yet.

Episode 46

Forensics, Paul Nazole, Amelia Rey, MADANES

Episode 46 and counting down to the big Xmas and New year break. As I mentioned in this episode, I will be taking a 2 week break over the Xmas period. I’m not sure about actual dates yet. If you subscribe to the podcast website, why the hell wouldn’t you, you will get all the updates as and when.

In the meantime I kick off this stellar episode 46 with Forensics and Not Giving Up. I love Forensics and I love this track. A few things puzzled me about the song which I go into in the episode. The Forensics are not your stereotypical indie-rock band. Described as “sonically unpredictable” yet “refreshingly real and honest”, their authenticity sets them apart. Massive riffs, pounding drums and soaring vocals underpin a sound that feels both accessible and distinctively their own. Formed in Preston, Lancashire in 2021, the four-piece have built a reputation for high-energy shows at venues including Night & Day Cafe and The Jacaranda, alongside support slots with The Snuts and Andrew Cushin. Fiercely proud of their working-class roots, they are embracing every step of their journey and encouraging fans to come along for the ride.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forensicsband

Next up is a little cracker of a song Nebuchadnezzar by the excellent Paul Nazole. Paul is a singer songwriter from Liverpool of Italian descent whose musical style is built upon intricate and expressive guitar playing and poetic lyricism, weaving together sounds from folk, rock and psychedelia, influenced by The La’s and Michael Head. Well known locally as an accomplished guitarist, Paul has guested and been a member of bands such as The Sneaky Nixon’s, The Stamp, Marvin Powell and Motel Sundown. Now releasing music under his own name, his journey began with debut single Nebuchadnezzar in March 2024. He is sensible enough to have a website that is well worth a visit:
https://paulnazole.com/

Third place goes to Amelia Rey with How Am I, and it’s a beauty. I always find it a bit odd when teenage artists tell their age in their bio, but anyway here is the aforementioned bio. How Am I is the soulful debut single from 17-year-old Melbourne-based singer songwriter Amelia Rey, known for her soulful tone, emotional honesty and confident stage presence. Trained formally in vocals and previously part of an all-girl performing group, she has built extensive live experience including a solo appearance at Carols in front of 20,000 people. Amelia has performed with the Army Band and The Nockoffs and now steps forward as a solo artist blending contemporary pop, soulful vocals and emotionally grounded lyricism. Her songs explore themes of identity, resilience and self-expression as she continues to build momentum across the Australian music scene.
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I shot a video of me picking tracks for this week’s episode and put it on the podcast’s Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/nicktannsfreshmusicfix

I then decided to change the last track to this little gem from MADANES called Your Dog, and I’m glad I did because I absolutely love this track. Here is what he sent me. He is 51 years old, has been a DJ for 19 years, a vinyl collector and fanatic vegan for 31 years. He runs a small business for a living and is trying to make music.
Website: https://madanesmusic.com/about/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@madanessongs/videos

So there we have it, episode 46. I rant and ramble my way through it in my inimitable fashion. Love it or hate it all I ask is that you listen to the brilliant music and not vote for reform. Not much to ask, go on….

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

You can listen to every episode of Nick Tann’s Fresh Music Fix right here on nicktannsfreshmusicfix.com, or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or via RSS.

Subscribe to the email list and get a reminder every Monday when a new episode drops.

If you enjoy the show and would like to support it, you can also become a supporter on Patreon.

I’m Nick Tann, musician and songwriter, sharing the best new music you haven’t heard yet.

Categories
Published Podcasts

ep45

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

You can listen to every episode of Nick Tann’s Fresh Music Fix right here on nicktannsfreshmusicfix.com, or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or via RSS.

Subscribe to the email list and get a reminder every Monday when a new episode drops.

If you enjoy the show and would like to support it, you can also become a supporter on Patreon.

I’m Nick Tann, musician and songwriter, sharing the best new music you haven’t heard yet.

Welcome to episode 45

We kick off with the brilliant

Mad Haven and their new sing “Wasted On You”

They tell me …….

“Mad Haven’s latest single “Take Control” was a huge success. In the last month, the band’s monthly Spotify listeners rose to a staggering 10,750 and the single gained 20,000 streams, and over 500 playlist adds!

‘Wasted On You’ is a song of encouragement and empowerment, to tell you that if someone is constantly getting you down, wearing you out and not appreciating you, while all you do is be kind caring and work hard to make them happy, you are not valued here.

The song tells the story of someone aiming for the stars, someone who will do anything to get what they want, even if it means hurting the people that are closest to them. This person wants to “live like a megastar” and “live like they’re on TV” but while you are putting in all your effort to help and support them, they present you with lies and a total lack of caring.

Once you become so low that you cannot continue, you will have no option but to walk away and tell them “I’m not gonna waste it all on you”. The next phase will be hard. There will be fabrications made up and hate being thrown your way, anything to keep up their narrative of being the victim and it won’t stop until they find the next. Stay strong, you are better than this. Know when it’s time to get out.”

They have socials….

https://www.facebook.com/madhavenrocks

https://www.instagram.com/madhavenrocks/

Next up is Dan O’Farrell & The Difference Engine and “The Colonial Club” taken from their forthcoming album ‘The Fish That Learned To Drown’ (Gare Du Nord, 22/02/26); Produced by Andy Lewis.

A song for all those people who start sentences with “I’m not racist but…” and then spout pure racist bile inspired by the toppling of Edward Colston’s stature in Bristol a few years ago.

Follow them to here for all the best stuff

https://danofarrellthedifferenceengine.bandcamp.com/track/the-colonial-club

Erin Hughes – Replaceable

Erin tells me that “Replaceable is pop-rock with that bitter “You Oughta Know” kind of flavour. Not heartbreak but bubbling rage, the song was in part inspired by my very favourite line of ABBA’s extensive back catalogue, “but tell me does she kiss like I used to kiss you? Does it feel the same when she calls your name?” replaceable, though, is less gracious in defeat, and the result is an emotionally-charged sing-a-long!

https://www.instagram.com/erinhughes_music/

Which brings us to Eugene McGuinness and his great song London which coincidentally comes just a week after I spent a weekend in this fine city. I had a great time traveling around and despite what idiots may tell you, I felt and was totally safe and had a ball catching all kinds of public transport around the place!

This is what I was told about Eugene McGuinness “….had accepted his career in music was over.

The end of his deal with Domino Records, followed by a difficult self-released album, fatherhood, and just life generally, saw his personal dreams and ambitions slowly slip out onto the horizon.

A period of great change, McGuinness had embraced his new work and family life happy to leave the ugliness of the music biz behind him but the absence of making music, and the joy the process brings, left a hole.

Which brings us to ….

London. The second single from the returning Eugene McGuinness.

London is where McGuinness was born and currently resides, but one he’d never really call ‘home’ despite his deep affection for the city. Born to Irish parents, his complex relationship with London is considered in this lyrically personal yet universal exploration.

London is a city that is fun, vibrant and romantic whilst simultaneously hard, bleak and intolerant. The song explores themes of identity and belonging, where you come from and where you’re going, in a place that can seem to be fighting against you.

Recorded at Liverpool’s Docklands Speed Shop with friend and producer Gajo Paco, the track is lush, warm and cinematic. Tasteful additions of cello, slide guitar and wurlitzer compliment a rich, beautiful melody.

McGuinness’ wry lyrical flair is once again flaunted in this ‘widescreen romance’ about displacement and uncertainty.

Eugene McGuinness is an inventive songwriter and performer, known for his wry, nimble lyricism and blending retro influences with contemporary sounds to create his unique brand of off-kilter pop.

Of Irish heritage, the idiosyncratic McGuinness began crafting songs in his teens, and gained recognition with debut EP ‘The Early Learnings of Eugene McGuinness’ released in 2007. His self titled debut album was released in 2008 on Domino Records followed by ‘Glue’ (2009 as ‘Eugene and The Lizards’), ‘The Invitation to the Voyage’ in 2012 and ‘Chroma’ (2014). ‘Suburban Gothic’ (2018) was released independently and marked his departure from Domino Records.

McGuinness’s discography reflects his evolution as an artist unafraid to experiment and never playing to the gallery following a tradition of songwriters Bob Dylan, Shane MacGowan, Randy Newman, Rufus Wainwright with voices and interior universes that are all their own.

Credits

Eugene McGuinness
Music, Lyrics, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano

Ryan Wyatt
Bass Guitar, Wurlitzer Electric Piano

Joe McMonagle
Acoustic Drums & Percussion

The Kambourines
Backing Vocals

Matthew Phillips
Strings arrangement and Cello

Produced, Mixed & Engineered by Gajo Paco
at Docklands Speed Shop Recording Studio, Liverpool, UK

Links

https://mellowtonerecords.com/

https://www.instagram.com/docklandspeedshop/

Lyrics

You and I go back a long time
We braved the rain and bathed in sunshine
But you walk all over me sometimes
As we drag our shadows

London I love you
But you’ve stung me
And you only want me for my money
The money that you just won’t let me have..

And we’re falling in and out of love so fast

Now I only watch those movies for the fight scenes
Been led to quite the nightmare from these pipe dreams
I see a ferry on a river
A river of electric light

We’re shifting mirrors tonight

London I love you
But you’ve hurt me
And you make me feel so dirty
I own up there was a time I was into that..

And we’re falling in and out of love so fast

I can’t take it anymore.

And there you have it. Thanks to everyone who has contacted me about the podcast, it’s always great to read your comments here there and everywhere.

See you next time …x

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

You can listen to every episode of Nick Tann’s Fresh Music Fix right here on nicktannsfreshmusicfix.com, or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or via RSS.

Subscribe to the email list and get a reminder every Monday when a new episode drops.

If you enjoy the show and would like to support it, you can also become a supporter on Patreon.

I’m Nick Tann, musician and songwriter, sharing the best new music you haven’t heard yet.

Categories
Published Podcasts

ep44

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

You can listen to every episode of Nick Tann’s Fresh Music Fix right here on nicktannsfreshmusicfix.com, or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or via RSS.

Subscribe to the email list and get a reminder every Monday when a new episode drops.

If you enjoy the show and would like to support it, you can also become a supporter on Patreon.

I’m Nick Tann, musician and songwriter, sharing the best new music you haven’t heard yet.

Jarpsy, Good Time Locomotive, Charlie Smith, Songraes

Jarpsy start us off with their retrospective break up song Are You Happy Yet.

Jarpsy are an indie alternative rock band known for their live energy and relentless drive. They have built a fierce local following, sold out venues across the North East and taken their songs on the road, touring with The Fratellis and Sticky Fingers. Their sound blends gritty hooks, infectious choruses and a full throttle live show.

They are lining up to drop two new tracks this year titled Happy Yet and Better Days Alone. Happy Yet, arriving in late October, flips the break up song on its head. It is introspective without self pity, joyful in its melodic bounce and rich in harmonies while keeping the band’s trademark spark.

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/jarpsyband

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/jarpsy

Twitter
https://x.com/JarpsyBand

Next up is one of my favourites Good Time Locomotive and their track Going Under. I would love to see them live but I cannot find any new London dates despite being told they are on their Linktree. If you spot any, you are doing better than me.

Closing out a year of strong releases mixed by award winning engineer Adrian Bushby (Muse, Foo Fighters, Everything Everything), Good Time Locomotive return with Going Under. The track moves from a synthwave inspired groove to an angular punk chorus filled with searing synths and pounding rhythms. It is a cry of emotional exhaustion, the quiet collapse that comes after fighting alone for too long.

Frontman Hugo Leite says the song reflects how cold and disconnected the world can feel, and how carrying too much for too long leaves you drained. It captures the struggle of holding on while pretending everything is fine.

Going Under is released on November 25 on all streaming platforms and will be available on Bandcamp. Keep an eye on their Linktree for live dates.

Good Time Locomotive are a London based alt pop rock band blending shimmering synths, funky bass, driving drums and heartfelt vocals. Their music explores identity, hope and resilience, drawing on influences from 1980s synth pop to modern alternative rock. Since their debut EP in early 2024 they have continued to refine their sound while keeping their DIY roots. With regular releases, strong social media engagement and high energy shows they are fast becoming a rising force in the UK scene.

The sweet sounds of Charlie Smith and Waste Away Beautiful Days, taken from his second album, really hit the spot. I have been playing his songs for a few years and this is his strongest work yet.

According to his bio:

Released on the 8th of November, Waste Away Beautiful Days is the first single from my upcoming second album. The song features raw lyrics with a continuous and intricate picking pattern. It has a simple structure with a clean and minimalist mix focused on the acoustic qualities of the track. This is an alternative singer songwriter track for fans of stripped back music.

Linktree
https://linktr.ee/CharlieSmithMusic

Finally, as if by magic, Anja McCloskey’s new band Songraes appear with their new single Wind and it is a thing of beauty. Check out the hilarious picture on their website. Anja says: Guys, I did a bad murder.

The band consist of Hannes Klock (Acadian Post, Blackbird and Spenser), Sotones veteran Anja McCloskey (Haunted Stereo, The Irrepressibles), and lead singer and award winning Scottish filmmaker Leo Bruges. Their debut was warmly received with critics praising their wistful indie folk. Reviews described their sound as an emotional and expressive journey, a release that deserves attention and a captivating mix of voices supported by a wide range of experience and unusual instrumentation.

The EP received international radio support with plays on Shoreditch Radio, Amazing Radio’s folk chart and Radio Universidad de Chile which has helped cement Songraes as an act to watch.

Website
https://www.songraes.com

And there we are, a beautiful ending to another choice collection of tunes from amazing artists. It is great to play tracks from returning bands as well as welcome new names.

Remember to subscribe to the podcast so you can take part in the subscribers choice next month.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

You can listen to every episode of Nick Tann’s Fresh Music Fix right here on nicktannsfreshmusicfix.com, or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or via RSS.

Subscribe to the email list and get a reminder every Monday when a new episode drops.

If you enjoy the show and would like to support it, you can also become a supporter on Patreon.

I’m Nick Tann, musician and songwriter, sharing the best new music you haven’t heard yet.