What made you decide that music is a thing for you…?
Our love for music started when we were all kids…we all grew up listening to amazing Artists thanks to our parents..
Elvis, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Mark Knopfler.
When I first saw Bands on Television like Purple, Rainbow, and Sabbath. I knew I wanted to be in a Band! [ STU ]
I think I’ve known from a very young age that music is what I wanted to do, but I’d say watching my Dad [ DARREN DUFFY ] perform since I was little has a massive part to play in my passion for music [ MOLLY ]
Introduce us to you all…?
We are North. Stuart Wolfenden Voice and Songwriter. Darren Duffy,Guitar, Vocals and Songwriter. Molly Duffy Lead Guitar, Vocals and Songwriter. Dave Foz Drums and Stan Matthews Bass.
Some of us have known each other for over 30 years. Grew up together and played in many Bands around the same circuit! Just North of Manchester!
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path…?
When I first heard Bowie! The first record I bought was Ashes To Ashes [ STU ]
Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits. My Grandad introduced me to Dire Straits not long after I had started to learn the guitar and I remember the Song is the first I had ever heard where I was amazed by the guitar playing. It’s still one of my favourite songs and Mark Knopfler is one of my favorite guitarists. He’s had a huge influence on my playing. [ MOLLY ]
Name 3 of your Favorite Albums…?
Led Zeppelin IV, Heroes by Bowie, Alchemy Dire Straits
The music industry is the hardest industry in the world to progress in, how do you feel you are doing…?
Ok…We are very new as a Band. North isn’t a Year in the Industry yet and we have released our Debut Ep RISE and got some people’s attention. We are happy with where we are right now….that’s what matters to us! We Rise…all in good time!
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you…?
Darren is an identical Twin!
Stuart’s Nickname at school was ’66’
Molly can play guitar left-handed as well as right-handed.
Do you sign up for any conspiracy theories…?
Yes…All of them!
Tell us something about each member that you think people would be surprised about….?
Stu was in the Cult Kids TV program ‘ Jossy’s Giants ‘ in the 80s!
Stan has flown a 4-seater plane!
Foz is the Coolest Man on the Planet! Fact!!
What makes you stand out as a Band…?
I’d say the dynamic between us all as both individuals and musicians which seems to really work in our favor. We all have our own unique styles and influences and you can hear that in our music! We are different from a lot of the current ‘MANCHESTER’ Bands. This dynamic has helped us musically to find our collective sound as a Band. As North!
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it…?
Yes, our Debut EP ‘RISE’ is out Friday 27th Jan. 2023! It was recorded at Lisa Stansfield’s Private Recording Studio GRACIELAND In Rochdale. It was produced by Stephen Boyce Buckley and ourselves. We are super proud of it and excited for the reaction …We aim to capture your attention with it and release our Debut Album later this year!
Talk me through the process of the new Songs/ Writing etc…?
Recovery, our very first Single…Stu had it pretty much down. It’s a personal piece about his own experience of Recovery and Addiction.
In all of our Songs, Stu, Darren or Molly have a musical idea and Stu gets a feel and direction the Song should go. He then writes the Lyrics as to the mood of the track. Other Songs are just there… Stu, Darren, and Molly have a natural feel as to the songwriting process for North. We know what works for us! And the stories we want to tell!
What was the recording process like…?
It was enjoyable and seeing the ideas come to life is really rewarding. As we recorded each song, we got a better idea of what we wanted our music to sound like and what aspects we wanted to emphasise…like the guitars for example.
It didn’t seem to take long at all for each song to come together as we went into the studio with them all already written. It was just a case of developing the ideas we already had. Working with Steve as Producer is always a great experience and I think he really encourages us to do better and get the most out of our music. [ MOLLY ]
I love the recording process! it’s my favorite part … I love seeing and hearing a Song grow. Taking an idea and turning it into something. It’s beautiful! It’s organic.
It helps with having Martin who is the Manager at Graceland who is very supportive of our Band and us as people. He loves what we are doing!
And working with Steve who I have known for over 30 years…from Square One the Legendary Studio in Bury to Gracieland. He’s a genius! I trust him with our work and he instinctively knows what we want from the song. He also happens to be musically amazing and has played on all of our songs. [ STU ]
Would you change anything now it’s finished…?
No, it’s how it’s all meant to be! You have to let go…and let it loose. It’s where you were at that moment and that’s something to be proud of.
When we play live tho, it’s different. Molly never plays the same thing twice! it’s always slightly different. Which I love…We are quite free when we play live as a Band! You never know what you might get!
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world…?
We hope you enjoy our Music and join us on this journey! If you do…support us, buy the CD at Stuartwolfenden.com
Stream our Music, and tell your friends. Come out and catch us live! Support the Independent Industry…the ones that don’t get a lot of Radio Play! Support the Indie Artists!
And be Happy as you can be! Enjoy Yourselves … It’s later than you think! GOD BLESS TERRY HALL !!!!
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📸 PAUL HUSBAND