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 Disorder who just released their new single ‘Pretty, Pretty, Pretty’.
What was the inspiration behind your artist name?
Our Inspiration for our Name came from Me “David” having ADHD “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” which I struggled with in school, But I guess it forms a massive part of my personality which I find reflects into my songwriting.
You’ve just released a new single. How did it come about and what does it mean to you?
The song came about when I met my girlfriend this year it sounds rather cliché and straight to the point, but I found writing that song easier than any song I’ve written before, it came from pure and raw emotion which transcribed so well into the lyrics and feel of the song, it means the world too us that it’s been received so well.
Have you any more releases or studio time lined up for later in the year?
We have a few ideas for 2024 and I’m sure Neal Calderwood will be getting a text from us very soon about a cheeky return too Manor Park.
Tell us about your song writing process.
Our song writing process is fairly simple, LYRICS FIRST, I know weird craic, David takes notes on his phone and usually comes up with a basic chord progression once he’s got the lyrics written and then when it’s an acoustic number we take it into the rehearsal room and Michael often lays down the feel of a track based off the tempo and Ewan will make it far more melodic and song-like, Jack usually comes up with a bass line coinciding with what Ewan plays on the Lead Guitar but he’s very fond of making ideas his own.
Who were your favourite artists/bands growing up? Have your influences changed over time?
We’re all Massive Oasis Fans and when we first started as a band that was our main influence which I think is the case for a lot of bands post-90s, it’s quite obvious that that was the case based off our first single, “Power To The People”, however our collective influence has changed massively over the last year, with bands like: The 1975, Inhaler and Wunderhorse giving us huge amounts of inspiration.
More personally, I’m a massive fan of 50s/60s music like Otis Redding and Elvis, Ewan is a Tom De Longe fanboy and is still gutted blink had to cancel :(, Michael and Jack have really broad music taste so the aux can be quite an eclectic taste in a Disorder Motor. (Especially with Jack behind the wheel)
With the 2023 NI Music Prize just passed, what’s been your favourite album and single released this year?
We have too give a shout-out to Moonboot we’ve all enjoyed playing “To U” in the car over and over again and having been close friends of mine for a long time it’s been amazing too grow in the scene together and be able too do one of our favourite gigs supporting those guys.
NI Album of the Year has obviously gotta be “Grandstand” by Brand New Friend, who are without doubt one of the best Northern Irish bands in the scene and after admiring the work of their incredible first album it’s been great too see them on stage again.
If you weren’t musicians, what line of work would we find you in?
We all do really random stuff, we’re very normal blokes and we’re all quite different, Ewan’s been a McDonald’s Name Badge Holder for as long as I’ve known and the bai just loves it, if he’s not brightening days with sweet guitar riffs he’s making all the youth smile handing out happy meals in the drive thru window,
Mick has been holding the torch for Let’s Go Hydro for the past 2 summers and he’s a real water baby at heart life guarding so if you know anyone who’s drowning Mick’s your man.
I could imagine if a vacancy came up Jack would be hosting Top Gear given the chance and I don’t know what I’d do if I wasn’t singing I’d probably be hosting karaoke on a cruise or doing the mic on a waltzer at planet fun.
If you could collaborate with one artist or band from NI, who would it be and why?
I think if we could collaborate with any artist from NI it would be Madams’s Last Discovery, they’re our main men and we love working with them and I’m sure we will continue to do gigs with them for as long as possible.
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?
We know how hard it can be too be successful in the music industry and I think it’s so important to look out for other musicians around you and try and give eachother a hand when possible. I think NI could do more for the music industry and it would be so beneficial too our young people too promote them getting into bands and into local venues.
I think to boost chances it’s important that local bands be given a chance to support bigger bands coming into the city and allowing them to show off what they can do.
What does success look like for you?
I’m a Dreamer I always have been if I wasn’t I probably wouldn’t be doing what I do, and I think I speak for all the boys, when I say success for us is releasing music that we’re proud of and hoping as many people like it as possible so we can do massive shows and tour the world I suppose. (Fingers crossed)
You’re going out on tour and can have anything you want on your rider, what would we find on yours?
Slim Chickens, it’s our go too before gig ritual and it has been for a while, The Coca-Cola Freestyle machine is an engineering phenomenon
Where and when can we next catch you live?
We headline the Limelight 2 on Thursday 7th December 2023 with Madams Last Discovery and Cairo Station. Tickets are available here.
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.
