Since their inception as a bedroom recording project by composer Nick over a vacation time in 2020, NTGB have evolved into a five-piece band – whose members have all been involved in the North East UK local music scene in various bands for decades (Uncle Monty, Ghost Signals, Monochrome etc). They hoped to record an entire album by the end of the year, but have realized that that is not possible going back to past mixes, etc., while discarding tracks and replacing them with others is a time-consuming endeavor associated with the pursuit of excellence. They anticipate having the album completed by early 2023.
In the interim, here is the latest track, TILL I’M GONE! It was made available for purchase on bandcamp, as well as on spotify, itunes, youtube, and other platforms. Check out the song and the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
NTGB: We are all based between Sunderland and Newcastle in North East UK. We are all members of other bands or involved in other projects. I (Nick) began NTGB during lockdown, whilst furloughed. I wasn’t able to practice with my band due to the restrictions so whilst stuck at home began writing and recording on my pc. Things grew over time as I asked musician friends to help finish the songs off in a local studio and we kinda evolved into the band we are now.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
NTGB: We are all self taught from books and whatever was available to us at the time. We all started in our teens.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘NTGB’?
NTGB: Bands that first got me (Nick) into learning and writing music were the likes of early ride, the beatles, Simon and garfunkle, the stone roses etc. The list is endless really, but I love a good melody. The name came from myself Nick Thompson and singer Gaz Brown, as we were initially the only two involved.
4. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
NTGB: Personally I don’t mix politics with my music and writing. I like songs that grip me with a catchy hook, or lyrics that spark feeling and emotion. Everyone has different and conflicting views about things like politics and I don’t feel pushing mine across through my music is the right channel for that. I just want people to enjoy it and remember it.
5. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
NTGB:
I don’t expect anything from it, I just love to do it. I get just as excited now about coming up with what I think is a great line or a great riff or chord change as I did about learning to play my first chord on the guitar.
I don’t think that will ever fade away or change, and I hope it doesn’t.
6. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
NTGB:
I co write in other bands but with NTGB I write alone. Initially it could be a line I come up with that I like and try to come up with a melody, or it could be a chord change or bass line and drum beat. Wherever it starts it usually evolves quite quickly into something, then I send a rough demo to the others. Gaz usually comes over and adds vocals, Andy will record some keys and send the files over for me to add to the track, and then we go into a studio to do the drums and Steve’s rythmn guitar, and mix the whole thing. My guitars, bass and the vocals are all done in my bedroom.
7. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
NTGB:
A few years back I had a bad accident which almost cost me the tip of my finger. After an operation and about a year of pain and struggling I managed to play guitar again although maybe not the same as I did before. I’m just happy I can still do it and feel lucky that I can.
8. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
NTGB:
We haven’t really stumbled upon any haters yet, I suppose that’s due to us still being somewhat unknown or in the process of getting our name out there. As much as I enjoy making music, there will always be people who don’t like it. If we all walked down the same path it would make for a boring life. I’m patiently waiting for our first ‘hater’ but I think I’ll choose to ignore it. I don’t like bananas but I don’t think I’d take kindly to my local green grocer telling me why I should.
9. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
NTGB: Studios are an expensive place to create, so we tend to do most of our writing and recording at home. We use a studio only for laying down drums over our pre recorded files and mixing. Personally I prefer recording to playing live, in that it lasts forever whereas the excitement of playing live is only in the build up and stage time of the actual gig. However, I do enjoy both. We are yet to play live as a band, but i think we will at some point soon.
10. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
NTGB: I think I prefer the idea of people interpreting the songs in their own way. We all have a particular song that reminds us of a particular time, memory or moment in our lives. And I’m sure the person or band who wrote it didn’t write it about us or our situations. But its cool that people can form their own connections with songs and I like that.
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Photo credits: Paul Richardson