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 Midnight Housework who just released their latest single ‘If You Find Me’.
What was the inspiration behind your artist name?
Fez – Well we like to tell people different things every time they ask because we just think its funny but it actually came from Blaine’s brother.
Blaine – Yeah so my brother’s partner works nights so when he’s working, my brother said he likes to have a glass of wine and do some Midnight Housework and I just thought that sounded weird and fun so I nicked it!
You’ve just released a new single. How did it come about and what does it mean to you?
Fez – I guess I came in with the riff, and I’d had that for a couple of years. Originally it was sort of this post rock kinda thing but when I brought it to the band I had been listening to a lot of a band called The Midnight and wanted to have this sort of upbeat nostagiac 80’s kind of thing. So I brought it to the guys and it came together really really fast. The last part almost didn’t make it in, which is probably one of the best bits of the song. I almost didn’t bring it to the guys because I thought it was just a wee jim jammy loop kinda thing but I hope it turned out well!
Have you any more releases or studio time lined up for later in the year?
Sean – Late March early April hopefully we’re gonna try and do two songs yeah.
Fez – We kinda do it song about don’t we? We write a bunch of stuff then just decide to record. We have ideal schedules, we write a song, get really excited about then want to record but yeah as of now we do have plans but again it’s kinda just as we do them and we write them really quick.
Sean – Yeah, it’s like the fresher song’s always feel better because we’re excited about them so I think we’re gonna do one fresh one and one that’s a bit more well established together.
Tell us about your song writing process.
Fez – Again like with If You find Me a lot of our stuff right now I usually come up with a skeleton of a song and the rest of the band mess it up and rip it to pieces but Sean has come in with some class riffs that we’ve turned into what we think are really cool tunes!
Luke – Yeah we tend to hear the pieces Fez brings then just take them apart and slot other riffs in between. There’s a new one I brought in that we’ve been working on too but with shows and stuff we haven’t been able to get it over the finish line.
Blaine – Fez comes in with a crazy riff and Sean and Luke go nuts and I just try my best to keep up!
Who were your favourite artists/bands growing up? Have your influences changed over time?
Sean – The rest of the band all hate my music but growing up it was a lot of the indie stuff like Arctic Monkeys, Tokyo Police Club, Arcade Fire and then there was a Nirvana phase, I’ll admit it. Then the likes of the Beatles, Stone Roses and all that stuff and I can hear the lads cringing as I talk!
Fez – I liked 80s shred metal then wised up! When I was younger I really liked all the technical players, I used to really like Joe Satriani, he was the guy I liked the most out of all those instrumental players. I mean there are still “Guitar Heroes” that I like even today, it probably makes sense that I like Mk.Gee because he does take elements of that 80s era so I guess him and The Midnight, I love that nostalgic 80s vibe a lot.
Luke – This is going back a wean of years but I’d say probably surprising to my band but a lot of punk and metal in the early days. But as I got older, as a drummer, it was progessive stuff, Procupine Tree in particular and Steven Wilson project. The Midnight too, like Fez.
Blaine – Growing up, my parents would be a bit older so I had a bit of a mish mash. I had a bit of Paul Simon, Wings, Bread, Chris DeBurgh, ELO. When I hit my teens I had a huge emo phase so it was all Paramore, Panic! At the Disco, Death Cab for Cutie, Escape the Fate all those kinda bands. Nowadays I’m into more spoken word stuff and heavy riffs like Mewithoutyou and Single Mothers.
What’s been your favourite local release from the last twelve months?
Sean – Newest one I’ve been really into is Wood Burning Savages Hand To Mouth, it’s really gripping and complex and just tickles my brain in a great way!
Fez – I’ve been really into Ferals a lot recently, their EP Love & Other Obsessions has been a staple of my journeys to Belfast.
Luke – For me Lord Jane have been doing really exciting things, I used to play a lot with Carl and to see the stuff their putting out has been amazing!
Blaine – For me it would probably be a newer one, I’ve been really into Teeth of Time by Joshua Burnside, his lyrics are always so raw and bittersweet, been a big fans of his for years and his latest EP’s and this new Album are a real step in a new direction which I’m really enjoying! Also I know it’s not 12 months but Blouse Club by Problem Patterns is an absolute banger, they’re really good friends of ours and they’ve helped us out a lot! Just some really good spuds the lot of them!
If you weren’t musicians, what line of work would we find you in?
Sean – I’d probably still be in a creative field to be honest. I’ve always thought about giving Acting a good college try so maybe that. Screw it aye, I’d be an actor!
Fez- I already kind of do Video Production and Editing so probably something Directorial or a behind camera role?
Luke – I’m big into my photography so yeah something along the lines of that!
Blaine – Well I’m a Software Developer so probably that but if I hadn’t gone into Software I’d probably be a Carpenter.
If you could collaborate with one artist or band from NI, who would it be and why?
Sean – It’s probably a bit cliché to say but I’d go Snow Patrol, I think we could have a lot of fun doing a collab with those guys!
Fez – I’d probably say someone a little left field and say Chalk, it could be a good fit! They’re just very very different to us so we could have fun and try something completely out there.
Blaine – I’ve mentioned them before but I think a wee Midnight Housework/Problem Patterns collab could be a lot of fun and turn out weird as all hell which I’m so down for! I’d be here for Housework Problems!
Luke – Again my old punk genes coming out but I think a wee Mucker collab could turn out well! They’re doing some really class stuff lately and it’s making me excited to see what else they are gonna do!
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?
Sean – I think what Gerry is doing over at Voodoo is a brilliant thing, if we could get more venues doing introducing nights like that where there is less pressure to bring in a massive crowd yourselves, especially for newer bands who don’t have that kind of following. It makes it feel more fun and exciting because it takes the focus back to the bands and the music and just being on stage in general.
Fez – I feel like, to me at least, it feels like there is a Belfast music scene and then there is an everywhere else music scene, the only venues seem to be in Belfast. I think, especially for me being from Glenariff, Sean from Ballynahinch and Luke from Castlewellan, Blaine doesn’t count he’s from Belfast, if there were more Non-Belfast venues that were open to doing these Introducing Showcases it would be a real boost for bands who can’t necessarily afford to keep commuting to Belfast for £50 or £100, if they’re lucky. The Atlantic in Portrush was really the only one I can think of and it’s closed now which is a travesty.
Blaine – I think yeah making it less prohibitive for new musicians to play even in Belfast. Like trying to get a gig in Belfast itself is incredibly difficult especially as a new band who won’t be bringing in 100/200 fans to a venue. Programs like Scratch My Progress are doing fantastic work and the Oh Yeah Centre in general is an unbelievable resource for musicians of all types so give them all the money! Also stop venues taking a cut from merch please, I’d really appreciate that!
What does success look like for you?
Sean – I’d just love to be able to pay my rent, feed myself and not have to work 9-5 to be completely honest. Success to me is being able to do this as my job because it’s genuinely what I love to do. I’d also just love to play Ulster Hall, it has been a staple of mine growing up, so many great gigs and just to play that stage would be incredible.
Fez – I already consider myself kind of successful because I’m playing music with folks like these lovely boys here. I couldn’t want any more than that. I think we’re really good and I don’t think I could ask much more than that. Even if we crash and burn tomorrow, I’m still happy that we’ve put out two amazing singles.
Blaine – For me I think I’m a mixture between Fez and Sean, I’m happy just to be in a band again writing and performing what I think is some really cool and unique music but I’d also just love to play Limelight! Saw Jimmy Eat World there so now I just want to get equally as sweaty and jam with my pals on stage!
Luke – I think being able to live comfortably without me needing a “real” job would be what success sounds like to me! Not being a chef anymore and just being able to devote my time to playing and writing songs sounds like a dream!
You’re going out on tour and can have anything you want on your rider, what would we find on yours?
Fez – Peppermint tea and Cod Liver Oil. And Werther’s Original’s please! I’m the old man of the band. I’m maybe way too practical but spare ear plugs and such? Oh and a screen for a Nintendo Switch for a band Smash Bro’s Tournament!
Blaine – A million trillion beers please! Oh and some snacks! If I could have anything probably a beer that I tried once and haven’t been able to get it again, it was a Bergamot and Thyme sour and it was the nicest beer I’ve ever had! And Apple Britvic which is the king of soft drinks and I will have no arguments!
Luke – I’m a big beef jerky head so all the exotic meats please with some Aperol or Campari!
Sean – Blue Extra chewing gum, Lucozade Sport and maybe some ice ice ice cold Asahi! I want those bottles cold! Maybe like 4 double cheeseburgers from McDonalds without pickles too!
Where and when can we next catch you live?
We have things in the pipeline too so you’ll be seeing a lot more of us around the place this year but next up, we play Voodoo Belfast on Friday 16 May 2025, you can grab a ticket 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
