What have you been up to this year & what can we expect in the coming months 

We've been honing our songwriting craft and writing organic songs with phatt hooks, synthy grooves and big vocal harmonies. We've just released our debut EP 'Motion Without Direction'. 

What are your thoughts on AI and its effect on the music industry?

Unfortunately, it's killing/saturating the music Industry, dumbing down anything and everything that's creative. It's a crying shame really. For us, Ai cannot write anything with real 'soul'. Writing music with real people is where it's at. It's about the imperfections, and the creative exchanges between musicians in a rehearsal room and on stage  - that is what it's about.. Being sincere and true to your art. 

Is streaming a good or bad thing?

It's a double-edged sword. It's good and bad right? Streaming hasn't been good for artists in recent years in terms of making an honest living/genuine royalties from their 'works'.  That needs to be looked at I think. However, I can see how creating playlists online and releasing songs digitally for streaming can be an effective way to promote and draw traction to an artist or band's profile, etc. It seems to have worked for PØRTERS recently! 

If you could play with any musician, alive or dead, who would it be and why? 

I (Nick Gladdish, keys) wouldn't mind jammin' some keys with Geddy Lee from Rush. What a Bassist! 

What are your 3 favourite moments in your career? 

Being able to play piano and sing with so many wonderful musicians. It feels special. 

Meeting all the members of 'PØRTERS' at a buskers night a year or so ago.

Landing a main stage gig slot at Lindisfarne Festival this year! 

Who should we be listening to? 

PØRTERS of course haha. We've a new EP that's just dropped on 10th July! Shannon Pearl is a class act. Check out her witch pop vibes. Just awesome. Sam Shields and the Regiment are fantastic too. Great songwriters. 

What can save our venues?

Tricky question. The cost-of-living crisis has had a huge impact on venues, bars closing down. Grassroots venues will only survive if punters attend local shows and pay a few quid on the door and support live music at the ground level. I feel like we're over saturated with too many covers bands and tribute bands. Yes, there's a huge market for all that, but I feel people need to take a bit more of a chance on their local music scenes up and down the UK, and allow themselves to discover new music in the flesh. Music scenes thrive on community and attendance. 

Where is your favourite venue? 

Cluny 2 at the moment. Not too big, not too small. It's seated right in the heart of Newcastle's music scene. Always a good vibe down there.

Anything you wish to share?

Please stream our new EP, 'Motion Without Direction'! Buy the new 4 track record.