Written by Daniel Rourke
When you think of Crewe's music scene, you think shoegaze tinged scene bands who are looking to jump on the prolonged emo revival, you don't necessarily think Americana tinged folk music. Oli Ng is a musician who is looking to change that impression.
Following his successful evening at the Music Awards of Staffordshire & Cheshire, we caught up with Ng to discuss how he got to this point and what's next.
Burn After Writing: What’s
your first musical memory?
Oli Ng: I
remember my dad had an old acoustic guitar, it had three strings on it – it was
very Seasick Steve. I picked it up and tried to work out Springsteen songs on
these three strings. After that I wanted to play it properly really.
BAW: From there did you go down the typical route of starting a high school/college band, or have you always been a solo artist?
BAW: From there did you go down the typical route of starting a high school/college band, or have you always been a solo artist?
ON: A friend’s
dad had an accident at work and lost a couple of his fingers, so to help him
get back on his feet I asked him if he would teach me how to play guitar. He
started to show me chords, and I learnt a few songs. The first song I learnt
was Dakota by Stereophonics, I think that’s right.
I was friends with his daughter, and she could play. We also went to the same school, so we decided to start our own band, and it went from there really. I then went solo as time moved on.
I was friends with his daughter, and she could play. We also went to the same school, so we decided to start our own band, and it went from there really. I then went solo as time moved on.
BAW: What was it
that made you switch and go solo, rather than sticking with a band?
ON: I started
doing my solo stuff as a side project when I was in bands anyways, but I’ve
started to concentrate on it more recently with The Eyers going quiet and not
really doing anything, so It’s become my main project.
I love playing in bands, especially the rockier bands, but
yeah. It’s just whatever time allows me to concentrate on the most really, at
the moment it’s the solo stuff.
BAW: Last year
you released the 'Into The Dark' EP, which is your second solo release if I
remember correctly?
ON: Technically
it’s my third, but I discount the first one because it wasn’t very good [laughs].
BAW: That’s fair!
What was the process for the 'Into The Dark' EP, and looking back what are your
thoughts on it?
ON: The theme of
the record was in the vain of 'Get Hurt' (The Gaslight Anthem), it’s a breakup
record if I’m being honest. That was the main theme of how the songs came
about.
Recording-wise I got the drummer and Jordan from The Eyers to play with me. We were used to working together so we bounced off each other a lot easier. I sent them acoustic demos and told them to learn the chords and think about what they wanted to play, before we bashed them out live in the studio. We essentially arranged it whilst we were recording it. A guy named Keaton Thompson played guitar on the record, and he did a great job.
Recording-wise I got the drummer and Jordan from The Eyers to play with me. We were used to working together so we bounced off each other a lot easier. I sent them acoustic demos and told them to learn the chords and think about what they wanted to play, before we bashed them out live in the studio. We essentially arranged it whilst we were recording it. A guy named Keaton Thompson played guitar on the record, and he did a great job.
I was really happy with it, each musician brought their own
bit to the record and that makes up each song. I was really pleased with the
collection of songs and how they were produced.
BAW: You’ve just
got back off a short tour with Chloe Hawes and Arms & Hearts, how did that
go?
ON: It was really
good. Most of the places that we played were places that I’ve never visited
before, so it was nice to see new places and meet new people. It was successful
overall, and Chloe smashed it every night. I’d definitely tour with Chloe again
at some point, it was a nice little run.
BAW: So what’s
next?
ON: I’ve got a
new single coming out in the spring, it’s just in the mastering stage at the
minute. Then hopefully I’ll be playing a few Europe dates at the end of the
year.
I don’t know whether to release another EP or just release several singles, there’s a few plans in place.
I don’t know whether to release another EP or just release several singles, there’s a few plans in place.
BAW: Aside from
the solo project and The Eyers, you also play in one or two other bands and
have toured Europe this year. What can you tell us about that?
ON: I play with a
jazz blues pianist called Tom Seals who’s also from Crewe. I did a UK tour with
him in October 2015, then I went over to Hong Kong with him to play a few shows
there, and then bits and bobs over the years in the UK. We just played in Amsterdam
recently.
Europe is somewhere I want to tap into, I played a few shows
in Berlin at the end of last year. Hopefully I’ll get back over there under my
own name this year.
BAW: Finally, who
are some DIY artists you’ve come across who you think are worth a mention?
ON: I best mention
Arms & Hearts, hadn’t I? He’ll get a bit pissy and demand toffees and stuff
like that if I don’t. So yeah, Steve who plays under Arms & Hearts. There’s
also Chloe Hawes who I was just on tour with. A lot of the Manchester DIY are
great artists and great people. There’s also John Greenwood who plays under The
Doublecross, he’s really good. There’s that many, that I don’t want to say too
many in case I forget someone.
I feel like some people look down on the DIY musician thing.
With us touring and playing these not so glamorous places, I think people look
down on us. I really admire people who do it, I enjoy doing it and I think you
get more from it personally.
BAW: That’s right.
You went full time with it last year, how hard was it to make that decision?
ON: It was quite
easy really. I decided I should do it now while I’m quite young and still
living at home, so there’s not that much pressure on me financially. I thought
I’d try it now because I’d rather try it than look back at 40 or 50 and regret
not giving it a go. I just thought I’d give it a go and see what happens, and
so far so good.