NARC. #199 out now!

The October 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 avant-garde music maker MXYM. They talk to Claire Dupree about their debut EP, the vulnerabilities of being an honest artist, and the drive to live with purpose. Exclusive images by TJmov.

In the Previews section, we check out live shows from Gengahr, Teeth of the Sea, Martin Kohlstedt, Hey Colossus, All Structures Align, The Umlauts, Howay The Lasses, VC Pines, Jesca Hoop, Get The Blessing, Fritillaries, Chiedu Oraka, The Bug Club and loads more. Plus comedy from Ria Lina at The Stand, Lucy Beaumont at various venues, Nico Yearwood at The Stand and John Robins at Gala Theatre; tonnes of great theatre shows at Northern Stage including Phantasmagoria, Mycelial, Metamorphosis and Project Dictator, Flip! at Alphabetti, The Cold Buffet at Live Theatre and Beyond Caring at various venues; plus arty goings on at Vane Gallery, Arts Centre Washington and more.

Interview-wise, Cameron Wright talks to Newcastle songwriter Andrew Cushin about his long anticipated debut album; Jonathan Coll talks with Darlington-born artist Luke Royalty about moving onwards and upwards with his new EP; Steve Spithray talks to Sunderland songwriter Isabel Maria about the inspiration behind her debut EP; Damian Robinson chats with hardcore slacker rockers Shower of Teeth about their riff-heavy new album; Sarah Storer discovers what’s on offer at this year’s cinematic extravaganza, Sunderland Shorts Film Festival; Damian Robinson talks to Durham songwriter Aaron Dinning about his honest approach to songwriting on his debut EP; Cameron Wright discusses emotive songwriting and the importance of the live experience with North East alt. country band Lost Lot; Jay Moussa-Mann investigates the line-up of artists performing at Middlesbrough’s Twisterella Festival; Matt Young talks to reluctant shoegazers Waves of Dread about their cathartic debut album; Cameron Wright talks to North East metalcore band All Before about rebranding and redefining their sound; Joseph Spence discovers what’s on offer for bibliophiles as Durham Book Festival returns to the city; Ali Welford uncovers the evolution of Byker’s noise rock trio Zilch Patrol; and Michael Luke from Tees Valley International Film Festival reveals all about his favourite tracks in Mixtape.

In the review section, we report from live performances by Deerhoof, Johnny Marr, Ten Eighty Trees, Future Islands, Television Personalities, Dexys, Finn Forster, Devon Sproule and Generator Live among others; there’s reviews of local singles and EPs from Maius Mollis, India Arkin, Gone Tomorrow, Kerrin Tatman, Phantom Parts, Simon Taylor, ZUDZ, The Pale White, William Cawley, Charlotte Forman, Pit Pony and Ernie; we check out demos from Breakaway NE, Logan Jai, Seventh Heaven, Jake Major and Damian Mills; plus there’s reviews of new releases from Smoove & Turrell, Gazelle Twin, Cafe Magrana, John Pope Quintet, The Gaslight Anthem, Vanishing Twin, Mary Lattimore, Gotts Street Park, GOAT, Holly Humberstone, CMAT and more.

Enjoy!