NARC. #196 out now!

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

Our cover star is Me Lost Me, who releases her fourth album this month. Lee Fisher caught up with Jayne Dent to talk creativity, collaboration and car alarms.

In the Previews section, we check out live shows from Scott Matthews, BCUC, Martha Ffion, Moonwalks, Jack Ladder, Breanna Barbara, Imogen Bose-Ward, Pictish Trail, BBC Proms, Kate Clover, plus festivals galore including SoundWave, Make A Scene, Jumpin’ Hot Club Country Cantina, Durham Fringe, Our Pride Festival, Summer Streets and more; catch Edinburgh Fringe shows before they head North, with special events at The Witham, The Stand, Georgian Theatre and Laurel’s; check out exhibitions at MIMA, BALTIC, Durham Cathedral, NewBridge Project, Vane, Pineapple Black and much more!

Interviews-wise, Ali Welford talks to cult rock trio The Unit Ama about their sophomore album release, which comes 20 years after their debut; Jake Anderson talks to Jordan Miller and Beccy Young about how their mutual love of 80s synth pop blossomed into an exciting collaborative project, Chat; Cameron Wright talks to North East songwriter Jamie Farrell about his refreshing change in musical direction; Laura Doyle talks to Newcastle Fringe Festival producer Chloe Stott about their talent-packed programme; Matt Young finds out what’s in store at Sonic Arts Week, a celebration of sonic delights in Middlesbrough; Ben Lowes-Smith talks to North East punk quartet Tin Ribs about their vital and humorous debut EP; Cameron Wright talks spiritual satanism, Norse folklore and unexpected onstage personas with pagan Viking metal band LN; Amanda Gallagher talks to music promoter Andy Kelly about emerging talent in the region and his curation of the Tall Ships music programme; Matt Young discovers honest songwriting and wide-ranging musical themes on Slobo & Azere’s debut EP; Damian Robinson talks to GemArts’ Vikas Kumar about the inclusive and inspirational Masala Festival which brings South Asian art to the fore; Ahead of a show in Newcastle, Matt Young chats with New Zealand pop rock darlings The Beths about their hectic tour schedule; plus, Ali Welford dives into delights on offer at our multi-venue NARC. Fest event, which takes over the Ouseburn Valley this month; Steve Spithray delves into the delights of Durham’s week-long celebration of brass at Durham BRASS Festival; and Chantal Herbert from Sister Shack reveals some of her favourite tracks in Mixtape.

In the Review section, we bring you reports from the front row of Billie Marten, A Place To Bury Strangers, girli, Blur, Comfort, Melvins, Rituals, Placebo, Arab Strap, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Kurt Vile and more; there’s reviews of local singles and EPs from William Denton Wilde, Blame Yourself, Church Honey, Citizens of YEAH!, Wolfred, Lost Lot, Belle Skies, Charts & Graphs, Park View, Michael Curran’s Deaf Fiction, Frankie Jobling and Patrick Gosling; demo reviews of Moss, Diago, Moon Glider, Jenny Say Kwa! and Midnight Jazz Club; and album reviews featuring PJ Harvey, Strange Ranger, The Clientele, Sam Burton, Wren Hinds, Blur, Damon Locks & Rob Mazurek, Little Dragon, Current Affairs, The Holy Family, Jack Aaron Greensmith and more.

Enjoy!