By Daffs (TwoDaff)
Nick Shane is a UK Mod/Punk/Indie singer-songwriter based in Scotland. His new album ‘Wired to the Moon’ (with his band, The 121’s) has already managed to gain over 200k worldwide streams and downloads, with tracks featured on multiple Spotify and New Music playlists and radio stations worldwide. Throughout 2020-22, Nick also released widely regarded solo tracks such as ‘Cloudy Monday’ , ‘Youth and the Young’ and ‘Valentine’ .
Nick has been part of the Scottish music scene for a number of years with his extensive back catalogue, ranging from acoustic/soulful/singer-songwriter numbers, to heavy-mod/grunge chaotically psychedelic dynamics, while also being heavily involved in LGBT+ Rights Activism over the past ten years, leading to him being awarded Outstanding Contribution to Music & LGBT Rights at Scotland’s very first Rainbow Awards in 2015.
His latest track, ‘Stranger Times’ was released on 8th July 2022 on all streaming platforms and features former Texas and current Red Sky July guitarist Ally McErlaine. According to Nick “I teamed up with Ally and wrote this song at the beginning of lockdown in 2020 and it was originally about the effect of when it would all essentially end, and how coming out of lockdown may be as hard, if not harder, for society as going into lockdown.” Being a huge fan of Texas Nick was absolutely delighted when All agreed to play guitar on the track. Other musicians on this track are Ciaran Laverty (Bass/Backing Vocals), Ed Muirhead (Organ), Calum Ingram (Cello), Kimberley Archibald (Flute/Saxophone), Hayley Wells (Backing Vocals), Shaun Garrigan (Drums), Gavin Steel (Percussion)and Peter Nowell (Claps).
Nick is on Reaction Management’s Roster and represents a number of clothing brands such as Madcap , Atom Retro , Merc 1967 , Sixty-Six Clothing, Mod Shoes , Ace Face and SubKulture.
Stranger Times is rich in tone straight off the bat, slick, melodic guitars backed with the organ elements add so many layers and give it real depth of feeling. Its laid back, almost chilled despite the fear and panic that lockdown created. Vocally its simply brilliant, Nick delivers the opening lines with heartfelt emotion “Coming up fighting, loving the life you live, Ain’t no providing, without love to give” Its moody almost Weller-esque both in tonality and sentiment.
“Heartfelt emotion”
Although it seems at first that a song about the pandemic might be a sad, worrying affair I feel that this is more a message of hope in that yes, “Stranger times may be ahead my friend” but we can adapt to whatever may come, remember what you have and move with it, that’s the way I see it.
“Melody laden guitar leads”
The choruses are more upbeat with glorious backing vocals, the whole song is rich in complexity, from the melody laden guitar leads to the percussive drum fills, mournful flutes and organ elements, all combining to add more emotion to Nicks vocal on what is/was an emotive issue for us all. Its not foggy though, every instrument can be heard, perfectly mixed and very clean.
“Rich in complexity”
The solo reinforces everything, rich, polished and uplifting leading us to the final chorus and the lines “Stranger Times ahead my friend, Stranger Times will be in the end, Stranger Times together again” It’s a real relatable track and will most definitely have different meanings to many people but I really do feel it is a song for today, produced and delivered with an air of skill and oozing class.
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