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 Myriad Things who released their new EP ‘Sanctuary’.
What was the inspiration behind your artist name?
Tao te Ching, chapter 42:
“The Way gave birth to one.
One gave birth to two.
Two gave birth to three.
Three gave birth to the Myriad Things.”
It was actually the working title of our first single 10,000 Miles Away but we thought it’d make better band name!
You’ve just released a new EP. How did it come about and what does it mean to you?
The whole EP was cut over two sessions at Manor Park studios Aug 24 and Aug 25. We’d enjoyed our experience so much first time that we decided to go back make a 3track release. I guess it means a continued venture into the mysterious world of capturing the sound you’d like to believe you produce live but in a studio environment where everything is different somehow… The mission is ongoing…
Have you any more releases or studio time lined up for later in the year?
We certainly wouldn’t rule out a return over the next few months to record another track or two, Neal’s such easy going producer. Definitely looking forward to recording more songs from the set and, who knows, maybe have an album to show for ourselves?
Tell us about your song writing process.
Usually I’ve recorded a demo of a song and suggest it to the other guys and we’ll knock it together. Lyrics and riffs or chord progressions, rarely come simultaneously I find, so it’s often a question of throwing some words out that may suite the mood or feel of a sequence of chords and going from there. I’m often throwing small chunks of ideas about to see if they’ll connect and lead somewhere. That said some songs can come together almost as quick as the time they take to play while others are destined to sit on the shelf and wait for a suitable matching song idea to fulfill it’s potential…
We do a lot of jamming which is a good way to get familiar with an idea or riff.
Who were your favourite artists/bands growing up? Have your influences changed over time?
My influences have been guitar orientated classic/prog rock and the blues like Led Zep, Pink Floyd, Hendrix Cream and Van Halen etc. I also listen to a lot of folk like Joni Mitchell, John Martyn and Jackson C. Frank as well as John Coltrane and Miles Davis. Over time my interests have gone where my guitar playing and songwriting tastes have digressed.
What’s been your favourite local release from the last twelve months?
Afraid by Chalk. Those lads certainly aren’t. Bold, brash, and completely unique. Love the liner approach to the composition. Heavy and sublime. It has a score-like intensity.
Album. Megafauna by And So I watch You from Afar. A progressive beast. Magnificent in it’s scope. A big part of what we do is in the instrumental. It’s all in there
If you weren’t musicians, what line of work would we find you in?
I’d like to think that I’d be an illustrator who teaches guitar on the side. I’d still be trying to put a band together mind.
If you could collaborate with one artist or band from NI, who would it be and why?
The John Andrew’s band. One of my favourite bands period. Great guys. We’re definitely doing different things, but I think if we root ourselves in the Blues but for a moment something interesting would come out the other end.
What does success look like for you?
Gigging regularly and maybe even paying some bills with it…! Not wondering if the audience is going to like your music!
You’re going out on tour and can have anything you want on your rider, what would we find on yours?
For me a selection of craft beers and a fridge to store them in!
Where and when can we next catch you live?
Keep an eye on our socials for our next shows.
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.
