Steve Spithray

1 week ago | narcmagazine.com | Steve Spithray

Igg says he makes ‘meta boom rap’ which is apparently characterised by dense drums, layers and layers of vocals and samples, found sounds and abstract lyrical themes. The Blyth rapper sets out his, erm, hustle on the title track of his Hustle Culture EP, where the layered rhyming gives the aural illusion of a number of vocalists, set to a loosely dramatic bass-driven beat. Elsewhere, the alt.

1 week ago | narcmagazine.com | Steve Spithray

It would be unfair if James were to be remembered solely for that awful Sit Down song because anyone who has seen them in the last fifteen years will know there is nary a thing so joyous as the Manchester veterans live. Tonight’s show might be a warm-up for some bigger summer venues, so not quite the full take-me-to-church experience, but the cult indie nonet are right at home in the Town Hall’s grandiose setting and at fifty quid a pop for tickets punters would really hope they would be.

2 weeks ago | narcmagazine.com | Steve Spithray

Top tier funky slacker rock. Slick and bouncing with enough fizz and buzzy melodies that the melting smiley emoji would be enough on its own as a review, but this is a serious publication after all. Thinkin’ by Patrick Gosling is the South Shields singer-songwriter’s first new track of the year, soldering his trademark intricate lyricism and clever, catchy musicality onto a stupidly contagious riff.

2 weeks ago | narcmagazine.com | Steve Spithray

Another complete gem of an under-the-radar local release is this ukulele-led, fiercely DIY indie folk canticle from Geordie Dylan, Oliver Hunt. Holding Out For You blends traditional musical themes with contemporary lo-fi vocals about escapism and longing that almost crack under the weight of their sentimental optimism, completed with gentle violin accoutrements.

3 weeks ago | narcmagazine.com | Steve Spithray

Every year to celebrate our birthday, we curate a free compilation album which showcases some of our favourite artists from the last year. We hope you enjoy this year’s selection! Download the album in full for free from our Bandcamp.