Neon Fields

Review/Interview

Neon Fields

(Unsigned)

Electronic Rock

Review By: SAM LOUGHLAN

Band members: Ed Barrett (Vocals)

Chris Phillips (Drums)

Piers Ward (Keyboards/Guitars)

Track list: Light Them Up

Interlude

Collisions

Wow! Just wow! Today here at Heads Up North Manchester we have had the pleasure of bringing to our readers an insight into a truly distinctive and enrapturing band based out of Bristol in the UK.

Formed in 2020, the three-piece electronic rock band Neon Fields bring to the alternative music scene a fresh and exciting take on modern day rock music. We really can’t wait to share our thoughts with you on their debut self-titled album and we even have even managed to get an exclusive interview with the band themselves!

So, grab yourselves a brew and get comfy ‘cause these guys definitely need to be on your radar…

Released on the 12th of August 2022, ‘Neon Fields’ comprises of thirteen totally immersive tracks that leave audiences enthralled by the narratives of varying human emotions.

My favourite track of the album is without a doubt ‘Light Them Up’. I probably felt an attraction to this piece due to being able to associate the lyrics to my own personal experiences and feelings.

“Leave me alone

You invade my mind…”

These poignant lyrics, I’m sure, strike right at the hearts at man of the Neon Fields audience as they recollect times where they have desperately tried to push particular thoughts out of their minds.

With an eerie techno feel to it, the keyboard synthesising almost gives the track a supernatural edge. The gradual build up to pelting drum beats and fierce vocals towards the end really did leave me with goose bumps.

Although this piece is quite lengthy, at six minutes and thirty-nine seconds, I do feel it does not ‘overdo’ its message or ‘outstay’ on the audiences’ senses. ‘Light Them Up’ has been carefully selected for this pretty central position, and does not fail to entice us into pursuing our journey through the rest of the tracks on the album.

I find it interesting that the ninth track of the album is called ‘Interlude’. It gives the impression of a break in the intense emotions, a time for the audience to reflect on their listening experience so far. Personally, I feel this is a great technique as it shows that Neon Fields are not so much as pushing their music through to the alternative market, but want their fans to actually have the time to take in and absorb the meanings conveyed within each piece’s lyrics.

The final track of the Neon fields debut album is appropriately called ‘Collisions’. This title gives the impression of things colliding and therefore inevitably coming to an end. A combination of perfectly chosen vast spanning vocal ranges and riveting keyboards are for sure to be etched into ones mind after hearing this finale.

Overall, the Neon fields first album is a magnificent showcase of their talent and I’m hoping the guys carry on creating such deep and moving as well as enjoyable and distinctive tunes for the alternative music scene.

If you fancy seeing the guys live, they are playing at 33 Oldham Street, Manchester on October 5th.

Ticket Link --> https://www.gotobeat.com/gig/now-ex-live-in-manchester/

Now you have our opinion, lets hear from the band themselves…

What genre of music do you feel you most relate to?

Our material attempts to showcase a blend of musical genres. While electronic rock and alternative form the core of our music, we have also incorporated elements of synth-pop, alternative pop, progressive rock, and Slowcore into our sound. This has added a lot of flavour and texture to our music, and we strive to find a good balance between experimenting with different sources and still weaving a consistent theme.

Who are your musical influences?

All of us share a passion for discovering new music. Like our songwriting styles, there are a lot of crossovers in our individual tastes and influences, but I think our differences and openness to embrace them are some of our biggest strengths. Ed draws inspiration from contemplative bands like Radiohead and atmospheric, haunting, and high-impact rock from bands like Deftones. I (Piers) am heavily influenced by IDM artists like George FitzGerald and Moderat, and score composers like Hans Zimmer and Atticus Ross. I (Piers) think it’s vital to draw from a diverse and deep pool of influences that includes different mediums and forms of art, including film, photography, sculpture, etc., whilst still trying to deliver something with a clear vision. Chris has a heavier background and enjoys alternative rock and grunge, which is very clearly reflected in his drumming.

How hard is it to approach next-level promoters?

At the stage the band is at, we find it very difficult to get in contact with promoters who will help us get to that next stage in terms of performing live. We have recently managed and promoted our live shows ourselves and completed a successful tour in the summer. We understand that the new music scene is saturated and empathise with the pressure promoters are under in the current state. So, for the time being, we are going to continue to promote our own events whilst being hopeful of working with promoters who may be able to offer us some more considerable opportunities.

What plans have you got for this year?

In the first half of this year, we focused on performing live and finished with a tour of Northern cities in the summer. Our focus for the rest of the year is writing and producing new material. We were grateful for the response to our debut album, and we want to ensure that our second album meets our expectations. Over the past few weeks, we have gained a clear vision of the direction for our second release and have several promising projects in the works. We have also been dedicated to improving our recording and production processes based on the lessons we learned from producing the first album. While I am confident the second album will be released, it may not happen until 2025.

Are you playing at any festivals?

Unfortunately, we are unable to officially announce any festivals currently, but playing festivals is a major goal for us in 2025. What we can share is that we are thrilled to announce our return to Manchester this autumn. On October 5th, we will be supporting Now Ex alongside Oh Baby at 33 Oldham Street. The support we received last time we played in Manchester was incredible, and we can't wait to return for what will be an awesome event.

Which artists, past or present, would you collaborate with?

Many spring to mind. Between the three of us, we would give different answers, but we would agree that collaboration with Nine Inch Nails or Gary Numan would be mind-blowing. For me (Piers) personally, the band's processes that I’m most intrigued by are Moderat and Alt-J, and an opportunity to observe that and be involved in any capacity would be a dream.

Who would you compare yourselves to?

Others have compared us to Leprous, Depeche Mode, and Deftones, which we consider a huge compliment. However, the artists we aspire to be favourably compared to differ amongst us. I (Piers) appreciate when people recognise the IDM roots in our music. But I also find it very positive that people are drawn to Ed’s vocals and listen to his voice and technique first, which shows a different side of the artists we compare ourselves to. The primary ethos of the band is to write instrumental music that can stand on its own and then add vocals and drums, as well as restructure it to fit genres like rock and pop. We believe this adds depth and layering to our music and, hopefully, offers something new for people to discover with each listen.

What has been your favourite performance given so far?

All the shows on this summer's tour were excellent. The Factory in Manchester was particularly memorable as it was our first show of the tour and our first show north of our home county. The turnout was great, and the other bands were fantastic. We finally got to meet many fans whom we had been in touch with for months but had never met in person.

What charity would you play a gig for and why?

We have previously performed at events for charities that focus on raising awareness of mental health and supporting those who suffer from poor mental health. These events have been organised partly by Ed’s (singer) wife, who has worked in charity for many years. We are open to supporting any registered charity; however, considering the current situation in Ukraine, we would like to show our support for that cause.

What are you working on music-wise right now?

We are currently working on our second album, which is very exciting. While our first album showcased many of our influences and styles, the second album is shaping up to be more focused, based on what we enjoyed from the first album. A big part of our sound is the cinematic layering, which we are keen to incorporate into the new material. Another significant difference between the second album and the first is the recording and production process. Previously, we worked with our co-producer, Jack Daffin, who mixed the songs on the album and worked on them individually. While it was great to focus entirely on one track at a time, we hope that recording and producing all the tracks on the second album simultaneously will hopefully help us deliver something bigger and more consistent than the first album. In addition, the drums on the second album will be acoustic drums recorded traditionally, as opposed to the first album, which used software exclusively for drums. We believe this will add another dimension to the songs and inject much energy into them.

Where do you draw inspiration from for your lyrics?

Our lyrics draw inspiration from various sources. The theme of our first album revolved around a catastrophic event and how people responded differently to it. In short, it explored perspective and the natural reactions of individuals under pressure or in extreme circumstances. However, we also had songs that delved into character-driven stories and stories of obsession, demonstrating a tendency to create dark content that complements the instrumental sound. Like seeking inspiration from mediums beyond music, we draw from films, books, and philosophy for our lyrics.

What was the best gig you’ve ever been to, and why?

A few years ago, we attended Field Day in London. The lineup was incredible, and Sudan Archives, Jon Hopkins, Bonobo, Fever Ray, Moderat, and Aphex Twin were featured all in one day. I know this is technically several shows, but that whole day was amazing. Seeing so much diverse talent in such a local area and focusing on one genre was eye-opening and taught us much about live performance. It was also sunny in London, and I was with some great mates, so I couldn’t go too wrong.

What do you love most about being in a band?

The best part of being in a band is writing and collaborating with like-minded individuals who equally enjoy the music we produce. I have written music on my own before, and whilst that has advantages, I feel the best work I have created has been part of this band. It gives me a deep sense of achievement and makes me feel I am contributing positively to new music, which I care about a lot. Collaborating is excellent for confirming if an idea has potential. Still, it’s even more important to be challenged when creating, and being in a three-piece band with such broad influences means that happens quite a bit. Whether that be interpreting a song that one of us has written or someone asking if we can adapt the direction of something I have written myself, the challenge is always intriguing and drives things past where I could take them if I were doing this on my own.

How do you deal with disinterested audiences?

It’s never nice when this happens. However, we are fortunate to have some dedicated fans who turn up to shows and always make us feel as though we are playing to an audience that is enjoying the show. As a rule, I think it’s essential that the energy we display live and the quality of what we try to convey are the same regardless of whether we’re playing to five people or a thousand.

What interests and hobbies do you have outside of music?

Outside of composing music, my main pastime is discovering new music. Chris (the drummer) accomplished an Ironman in Lanzarote this year, which is an amazing achievement. He takes his fitness very seriously and has roped Ed and me (Piers) to get in shape!

Would you be willing to show your support for our Music Holds No Prejudice campaign?

We would be honoured to be part of a campaign for equality and would love to learn more about it.

Have you got any exclusive gossip you can share with Heads up North, Manchester?

This is a very boring answer, but we have nothing behind our backs at the moment and have shared everything we’re up to in the rest of the interview!

Would you consider allowing Heads up North, Manchester, to review your future tracks and promote any future gigs?

Absolutely! Help with promotion is always welcome, but feedback from a trusted source on new music is crucial to our progress as a band.