When Chordblossom came into existence, it was always our aim to shine a spotlight on the artists and bands that make up the music scene in Northern Ireland. We’ve been doing it for over ten years now and one of our favourite methods is our Introducing feature.
Put the kettle on, curl up on your sofa and and join us for a quickfire Q&A with some of our favourite new musicians. Who knows, maybe you’ll even discover your new favourite artists.
This iteration of Introducing features the musical talents of Alfie Norma who just released their new EP ‘The Last Recorded Business Conference’.
What was the inspiration behind your artist name?
I wish I could say there was deeper reason but it’s just my regular government name with the last part cut off (I’m choosing to keep the last bit I cut off a secret because I think it’s funny to try and be mysterious about such a disappointing answer)
I was also fond of how it started and ended with the same letter, with an even amount of letters in each word, and how it sounded vaguely futuristic.
You’ve just released a new EP. How did it come about and what does it mean to you?
I’d started working on the second EP pretty soon after my first one came out – I’ve developed a bad habit of demoing every song 3 or 4 different ways and picking the good bits out of each one, which is good for getting a result I like, but less than ideal for productivity which is why there was such a break between the two. The biggest factor in getting it over the line was when I moved house, my housemate has a really nice upright piano which he was kind enough to let me play and record, so that became a central part of the sound. I’m just glad that people are enjoying it, I put a lot of hours into getting it to sound right, and it feels like a positive progression from my first project.
Have you any more releases or studio time lined up for later in the year?
I’ve not got any releases lined up for 2025, I record everything but drums on my own at home, so once I’ve made some more progress on the next project I’ll hopefully get some time booked in to record the drums for it early next year.
Tell us about your song writing process.
I’m quite an imagery focused songwriter, I tend to unconsciously ascribe a time and place to a song before it really gets going, but I’ll usually start with a rhyme structure I like and a loose chord progression, and when that’s all in place it usually comes quite quickly. One of the perks of folk music is that you can just write loads of verses and call it a song, which is especially handy for me because I find writing a really good chorus is way harder, and it makes you focus on the story more.
Who were your favourite artists/bands growing up? Have your influences changed over time?
I’m from fairly near Sheffield originally so being an Arctic Monkeys fan was compulsory when I was in my early teens, but I was definitely also big into Alabama Shakes, The Black Keys, Otis Redding, John Martyn, Laura Marling, Nina Simone & The Gloaming. When I was producing the new song Lay By, I was trying to reference a lot of the production (particularly drums and strings) by Florence and the Machine, who I also would have been listening to as a kid. I was raised on a lot of other Blues and Soul artists too so it seems strange that my music never really seemed to have that flavour to it, but I’d say folk has gradually grown to be my main influence after I started making my own music.
What’s been your favourite local release from the last twelve months?
I was really stoked for the Huartan album and I definitely wasn’t let down, but I think TODC by George Houston stuck with me the most, it’s a really fantastic piece of work.
As for singles I’d say ‘Big Fleece’ by Blue Deputy has to be a highlight, it’s has a 10/10 bridge, and the line that goes “you’ve exhausted all my good will” was a personal vocal stim for a good while, but in close second would probably ‘The Bride’ by Polar Bolero, I love a song with a plot twist and it’s a killer jig melodically.
If you weren’t musicians, what line of work would we find you in?
My only other transferable skill is cooking so I’d definitely be a chef again, but imagine the opposite of The Bear, a very calm organised kitchen. When I was in charge at my old job all the chefs started saying please and thank you to each other constantly and it was my proudest achievement.
If you could collaborate with one artist or band from NI, who would it be and why?
I really enjoyed the most recent Rachael Boyd EP, her production has a really rich, organic quality to it and it sounds like springtime, I also loved the way all the textures of the instruments were captured in the mix, it was beautifully done. I’m not as up to date on the NI Hip Hop scene as I should be but I’d love the chance to work with a rapper in some way, it’d be interesting to try and adapt my sound for spoken word. Lastly, I feel like most people say Joshua Burnside in answer to this question and I will, of course, be no exception.
It is intensely difficult to be successful in the music industry. What does NI need to do to invest in/develop to boost your chances?
I think supporting grass-roots venues seems to be the way to go, with the price of gigging and touring getting so high, but similarly the lack of suitable public transport at night means getting to and from a gig safely is usually more expensive than the gig itself, if not impossible to come by, and it would be especially good to open the doors for talent from outside Belfast to get a chance to play here, and vice versa. It would be insane to see how much more the local scene could flourish when the people supporting it can be looked out for, which that they can get home safely and affordably.
What does success look like for you?
I think so long as I’ve got the means to make the next project and a good community around me I’ll be good and if people get something from what I’ve made, that’s a worthwhile bonus and a reason to keep going.
But money would also be nice if anyone would like to give me any.
You’re going out on tour and can have anything you want on your rider, what would we find on yours?
I get through an ungodly amount of peanut butter in my day-to-day so definitely that (crunchy obviously) and I can’t really drink before a gig so maybe just a couple of bottles of Shloer so I can feel like a grown up. In the absence of alcohol I’ve been taking lavender Kalms tablets before gigs to take care of the nerves so I’d get a round of Kalms for the boys, I have no idea if they actually work but they make your burps taste like a candle which is always a treat.
Where and when can we next catch you live?
On 13 December 2025, I’ll be on the bill for A HUSTLE XMAS PARTY alongside Conn Thornton, Hatchetfield & Ciara Captain. This show is FREE ENTRY but you must bring a donation of either food or toys for the donations banks as this is a charity show.
If you enjoyed this feature and fancy discovering some more new artists, we suggest you jump on over to our archive of Introducing pieces.
If you are a band or musician based in Northern Ireland interested in taking part in our Introducing feature, we recommend submitting new music to us via our Contact page and if we enjoy it, you’ll no doubt hear from us.
