#essex county releases self titled EP

[nashmusicguide]

Inside Track on Music Row: October 2022

Inside Track on Music Row is a monthly column by Preshias Harris that includes news, tour updates, album releases, festival news, industry news and so much more.

VERSE OF THE MONTH: My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul. – Psalm 108:1  ACOUSTIC MUSIC NEWS: Rising singer/songwriter Conner Smith has enlisted co-writer Ryan Hurd for a fresh acoustic take on his new single “Take It Slow” (The Valory Music Co.), available now. The pair penned the earnest track alongside Mark Trussell which has quickly amassed over…

[b-sidemusic]

INTERVIEW: PET NEEDS - TIPPING THE BALANCE

This Friday, 27th October, Colchester's finest folk-tinged agit-punk upstarts Pet Needs launch their sophomore EP with a hometown soirée at the V Bar.  B-Side's Seymour Quigley caught up with singer/guitarist Johnny Marriott about sleep deprivation, walking out of job interviews and enigmatic birds.

B-Side: This Friday, it's the launch party for your new EP, 'Everything But Your Balance'.  It follows pretty hot on the heels of your debut EP - did you race back to the studio as quickly as you could, or is there a secret stockpile of Pet Needs recordings kicking around in a secret warehouse that you're able to unleash at will? Johnny:  We had absolutely no plans to head back into the studio so quickly! It surprised me as much as anyone.  It's exciting, though - fun to keep moving... B-Side: What can you tell us about 'Everything But Your Balance' ahead of its release?  Obviously I'm aware that Colchester is a military town, so I understand if band business is being conducted on a Top Secret, need-to-know, cake-or-death basis. Johnny: This EP is a very real document of a small period of time. Kind of self-destructive and definitely heavier than our last EP. It feels like we know who we are now, I think.  It's seven tracks in less than 17 minutes, which I'm weirdly proud of for some reason! I think it sounds more punk and more progressive simultaneously. B-Side: Your new song 'Outline' opens with the lyric, "I walked out the interview second question / 'Cause I wasn't in the best mood to reflect on myself", which seems to echo a despair at the ongoing corporatisation of everything suggested on your first EP.  Obviously, I'm intrigued to know if that's based on something that actually happened, but I'm also aware that it's a little bit trite to ask what inspires your lyrics...   Johnny: This is completely true. The night before a job interview in London I was in Nottingham watching my all-time favourite band and punk legends Against Me!  Following the show I drove four hours home and had two hours sleep before heading to the interview. Sitting in a stuffy London office, sleep-deprived and dressed like a child in his father's clothes isn't the best place to be the day after an Against Me! gig.  Second question in I stood up, said, "I'm sorry, I'm not in the mood to sell myself" and walked out.  It sounds more rock n roll than it was. I cried on the tube on the way home. I now work for a union which is completely consistent with my politics, so it all worked out for the best! B-Side:  The title of your debut EP was 'As Kites Fly By Pylons', which is a very specific image.  Is that something that regularly happens around Essex?  It is, after all, renowned for being the county of mysterious symbolic enigmas. Johnny: Interestingly this was our EP artist Dan Allen's interpretation. As with the new EP, the title came from a track lyric. The original lyric, "respiratory systems tighten as kites fly by pylons", was talking about the kites that you fly and the risk of being electrocuted if they go too close to electrical pylons. Dan's curveball suggestion of the bird was a surprise and we loved it.  Unfortunately my solo project (folky stuff with a backing band), Jonathan Marriott and the Painted Birds, didn't end in the most harmonious of ways and I (understandably, in retrospect) annoyed a couple of members when I decided to pack it all in and form a punk band with my brother. It was pointed out to me on the day of the EP launch that our new artwork was a painted bird being shot twice in the chest. Purely unintentional, honest! B-Side: You've chosen a rather sterling supporting line-up for your EP launch (B-Side faves Gaffa Tape Sandy and Rad Pitt).  What other bands are you in love with right now? Johnny: I'm still in disbelief at this line-up. Y'know, I've never seen Gaffa Tape Sandy live? Their EP is on repeat in our car at the moment. And Rad Pitt are absolute heroes - the kings of the floor show!  I love Kulk and I love Tundra - both from round your way and both absolutely killing it live.  I also saw Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds the other day and it was the most encapsulating performance I have ever seen. B-Side: Finally, are there any hot surprises in store this Friday that those attending should prepare themselves for? Johnny: We're going to have 25 handmade special edition EPs with us at the show, which we are excited about! These will never be on sale anywhere ever again.  I genuinely can't wait. It's going to be a sweaty one!

THE LOWDOWN: PET NEEDS Members: Johnny Marriott (vocals/acoustic guitar), George Marriott (vocals/electric guitar), Linton Pachent (bass), Jack Lock (drums). From: Colchester. Listen to: ‘As Kites Fly By Pylons’ EP, CD/download, out now. See them live at: Colchester V Bar, 27th Oct.   Keep up with them on: Facebook 

Photo: Pet Needs (from Facebook)