OUT & ABOUT
‘‘Think ‘70s or ‘80s pop rock peppered with a symphonic edge: expansive, emotive and deeply melodic.’’
A staggered release means each song has its own moment in the spotlight and helps build interest in anticipation of the four remaining unheard songs and album as a complete audio experience. “Our shared healthy perfectionism came through for sure. We’re not a ‘three chords and bash it out’ kind of unit. I’m pretty chuffed with the lyrical and musical content as each song has a timeless quality without being pastiche. But 99 percent of the arrangements are down to Rob’s wizardry on the production side. It sounds like us properly for the first time,” Jack says. Stylistically, theirs is a retro bouquet informed and influenced by classic songwriting wrapped in fresh and original pop sensibilities but always unapologetically theatrical. Think ‘70s or ‘80s pop rock peppered with a symphonic edge: expansive, emotive and deeply melodic. True to style, there are some big vocal performances from Jack,
particularly on Symphony which is the first single they will release from the album.
“It’s been an aspiration of mine to write a synonymous song with our band name in the title and Symphony epitomises just what we are about. It is such a powerful song that I hope it sets the tone and ambition for what’s to follow,” Jack says. Timeless musical storytelling is at the heart of the album. All 11 songs are character driven, such as the melancholy lament of ‘Glenda’ or soulful groove of ‘Hush Hush, Sweet Charlotte.’ ‘Dan’ is about a schoolfriend of Jack’s who was terminally ill. The pair lost touch when they left school and Jack says the track is what he would say if he had the opportunity.
“Both Robert and I work extensively in theatre so our work has a certain dramatic edge. The album is a combination of songs that put a smile on your face or have the ability to make you think about certain issues.”
The character concept is also reflected through the album’s clever artwork. Like a mystery drama of ‘whodunnit’, the intriguing artwork depicts Jack and Robert sat in a traditional Barnsley pub surrounded by the characters who inspired the songs. Amongst others, there is a banker, a beggar, a dreamer and a hopeless romantic.
“The location is The Boatman’s Rest at Worsbrough Dale, an olde- worlde pub that I’ve been going to for years now but it encapsulates Barnsley’s heritage perfectly. The players are all local thespians from my little casting book, talented actors I’ve worked with in the past, who we felt best represented each character. “It was a difficult concept to pull
off, especially in the current climate with social distancing. But it really has helped elevate our idea and hopefully the public will be able to envisage each character when they listen to the songs,” Jack says. The shot was captured and
edited by local photographer, Rosie Masters. Other young musicians from Barnsley have also collaborated on the album with the Coalfield Symphony.
“It became something of a community project whereby everyone we worked with brought
something unique to the table. A guest vocal is provided by Sam Dyson and a six-piece vocal harmony group from Barnsley Youth Choir also appear on some tracks. Then there are two stunning saxophone solos by Sam Reid who we’ve worked with before,” Robert says.
In the modern music industry, social media content and engagement is just as important as the songs produced. Robert and Jack have thought outside the box for how to reach their fanbase without sacrificing the classic Coalfield ethos. Before each song is released, there will be a preview video at the start of the week which highlights that individual single’s themes and ideas. Then after, a breakdown video follows to discuss the mechanics of the song such as its arrangement and production.
For full details about Virtue and Villainy or to preview the seven initial singles being released before the full album on Friday 12th February, see their Facebook page. Or visit
www.thecoalfieldsymphony.co.uk
aroundtownmagazine.co.uk 35
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
