Hiya Fine Night Elements, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
Thanks for joining us today… Tell us bit about where you are from and how you got into music?
Hello and thanks for having us! We’re from across the North East of England—Gateshead, Sunderland and Newcastle. We all came into music in different ways, some self-taught and others through lessons growing up. Myself (Kristian) and Ethan met at Northumbria Uni, realised we shared a similar music taste, and that’s where the band really started!
What’s the live music scene like in the North East like right now?
It’s probably the best we can remember in terms of output and opportunity. There are loads of grassroots venues willing to give new bands a shot, which is massive at an early stage. With other great things like Sunderland gaining Music City status, as well artists getting support from music development agency Generator, it genuinely feels like a really exciting time for the region.
Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
Circus from Newcastle are class—really dreamy, anthemic guitar tones. Jam Tub are also smashing it at the moment, their songwriting ability goes way beyond their years. And a shameless shoutout to my other band Polyvinyl, who’s music has a nostalgic 80s feel with a modern twist.
Do you think it’s easy to become a victim of our surrounds sometimes?
Definitely, and we’ve probably been guilty of it ourselves at times. A lack of funding meant we had to self-produce everything, but we didn’t want to cut corners, so it took years to get to a standard we were happy with. Sometimes you just have to take the bull by the horns as they say, putting the work in if you want things to get done.
What are your ambitions for the band?
Honestly, just to create music we’re genuinely proud of and enjoy making. We don’t want to feel tied to one sound or genre. Everything else comes after that. Of course, headlining Glastonbury would be the pinnacle, but the odds are rather slim of that ever happening! So it’s got to be about enjoying the process of creating and seeing where it takes us.
What’s your favourite social media platform to use and why?
Probably Instagram. It still feels like the main hub for musicians and where most of our audience are. We know TikTok is massive as well, but Instagram is where we naturally connect more.
We believe it’s essential to have a presence on Facebook, Instagram and X to introduce yourself to all the different types of audiences out there, what’s your thoughts on that?
Yeah, having a presence everywhere helps, but at the same time if one platform is working for you it makes sense to focus most of your energy there rather than spreading yourself too thin.
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
There’s a lot of things that could be better. Streaming doesn’t really pay fairly, especially considering the profits streaming companies are making, and touring—particularly abroad—can end up costing more than you make. But there are positives too. Bigger artists supporting grassroots venues is a great step, and tough times often lead to some of the best music. There’s always a way forward.
What’s your thoughts on AI generated music?
Soulless, to be honest. It can’t create anything truly new, it just reshapes what already exists. AI can be useful for speeding up certain technical processes in mixing. But relying on it creatively? That’s a dangerous road for any artist.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
That the work you put in behind the scenes really does pay off. Learning production and mixing properly takes years, but sticking at it makes a huge difference and gives more creative control. If you’re passionate enough, you’ll get there.
What’s currently in your ears and on rotation at the moment?
BALTHVS—a Colombian psychedelic rock band. They’re unreal.
What was your worst experience on stage? Any funny stories to share?
Our first ever gig! The sound engineer didn’t show up and we’d sold out the venue. We had to balance everything ourselves—amps cranked to match the drums, and a tiny mixer just to get vocals through the PA. It was chaos, but it actually turned into a great, raw-sounding night and we and the audience loved it.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
Our debut EP ‘All We Know’ is out May 1st and we’re really proud of it. Lyrically it touches on real-world issues—climate change, war, homelessness, mental health—while trying to make sense of it all. It wasn’t planned as a concept EP, but there’s definitely a consistent depth and reflection throughout.
What was the recording process like?
Very fun and a huge learning curve. Everything was recorded in my bedroom studio aside from the drums. We used different studios across the North East for drums to get that bigger sound, then built everything up layer by layer—bass and guitars first, then vocals, then any additional textures.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
At some point you have to let go of the songs. The songs will always evolve live, but in terms of the recordings, we’re happy. We’ve put a lot of thought into every detail, so now it’s about moving forward.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Follow us on Instagram @finenightelements and keep an eye out for the final single and title track off the E.P. dropping April 10th.
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