NARC. #194 out now!

The May issue of NARC. magazine is out now, available in print from outlets across the North East, and digitally via our website.

This month’s cover star is Northumberland songwriter The Early Purple. Ahead of his debut EP release this month, songwriter Matt Saxon talks to Cameron Wright about finding atmosphere in details, inspiration in nature, and the importance of legacy. Exclusive images by Amelia Read.

In the Previews section, we check out live shows from Magic Castles, The St Pierre Snake Invasion, Comfort, Amy May Ellis, Novelty Island, CLT DRP, Ruth Lyon and Eliza Hull, Saul Adamczewski, Haru Nemuri, David Brewis, Komparrison, Chewy She’s Moth Popera, Hector Gannet, Songs From Northern Britain alldayer and the Marrapalooza weekender, among many more. There’s also exhibitions from Fiona Crisp at NGCA and Sunderland Museum, Larry Achiampong at BALTIC and X – Contemporary British Painting at NCA; theatre shows including Lord of the Flies, Happy Place and I, Daniel Blake at Northern Stage, What Is Love? at ARC, and a Season of Survival at Laurel’s; plus comedy courtesy of John Kearns and Alasdair Beckett-King at The Stand and Richard Hardisty at Gala Theatre, along with much more!

Interview-wise, Jay Moussa-Mann talks to contemporary music maker Lily Brooke about her debut EP; Jake Anderson talks to multi-instrumentalist Graham Thompson, aka Hozomeen, about his ambitious solo record; Damian Robinson talks to electronic duo A Man Called Adam about their new album which is rooted in the landscapes, stories and people of Teesside; Ali Welford chats with feral noise newcomers Fashion Tips about their debut EP; Amy McGarahan discovers Yorkshire-born songwriter Billie Marten has returned to her folk roots on her latest album; Kate Relton talks to poet Degna Stone about their new production which ponders the theory of truth; Matt Young talks to Stockton-based neo-pop artist Craig Scott Knight about his intricate work ahead of an exhibition at Pineapple Black this month; Laura Doyle chats with multifaceted artist girli about representation and identity ahead of Daemon T.V’s inclusive showcase gig; Emily Ingram chats with curator Matthew Jarratt about the North East Emerging Artist Award which seeks to offer a springboard for some of the region’s most promising practitioners; Tom Astley talks to East Durham duo The Woven Project about their new EP which has given them a new lease of life; Mera Royle cherry-picks some of the highlights from this year’s Late Shows culture crawl; and Thomas Wales from Baccanalia Events’ Cabaret Club reveals some of his favourite tunes ahead of the Bishop Auckland Street Food Market.

In the Reviews section, we bring you reports from the front row of Pharcyde, Archipelago, Bulbils, Lisa O’Neill, Unthank:Smith, Me Lost Me, Alison Cotton, Dutch Uncles, Gaz Coombes, Fran Lebowitz and more; there’s reviews of local singles and EPs from Finn Forster, Heather Ferrier, Bosko Green, JRM, Wax Heart Sodality, Chris Mardula, Twayn, Shallow, Philip Alexander, Tired Trace, Slowlight Quartet and Porcelain; and album reviews of new releases from Alison Goldfrapp, Temps, Sparks, Westerman, Shit Present, Memorials, Dave Lombardo, Olivia Jean, Guvna B, Henge, May Days In Barcelona, Joni Void, Shirley Collins, SBTRKT and more.

Enjoy!