Magazine

The magazine project was launched back in the summer of 2023 in the hopes of creating a physical photography zine giving an insight into creativity in the north of England. Since then however it has expanded featureing artists from out side of England ,presenting the vast range of creative arts that are being produced around the world .

This magazine was created writen and Edited by Aidan Hart and Charlie Simpson.

Issue 1

This issue features interviews from artists that are sending ripples through their genre’s underground, such as the Northern Irish indie-fusion, seven-piece band Esmerelda Road.

Issue one also includes photography and art serving an overview of the creative landscape over the past three years.

Esmeralda Road Interview (Preview)

Esmeralda Road, the Northern Irish, seven-piece, indie-fusion band are about to find their biggest audience yet opening for Liam Gallagher, for the Irish leg of his Definitely Maybe 30 Years Tour. The band consists of Charlie Magill, the front man and vocalist, Aodhan Moran on drums, Josh Vance on keys, Calvin wells on bass, Ben Murray on lead guitar (and production) and Tony Cowan on horn.

How did the band meet?

Well, Charlie (lead singer) and Aodhan (drummer) have played music together since they were no age, but the band ‘started’ after jamming with Josh (keyboardist) and soon after Calvin (bassist). Over time the band has grew in size with the addition of a brass section and lead guitarist. Josh Vance

What is the highlight of being in the band so far?

I’d say the one of the biggest highlights has without a doubt been supporting Liam Gallagher. Certainly a surreal experience playing a stadium not to mention opening for someone of Liam’s calibre. With that in mind, some of the headline shows we’ve managed to put on I think many would agree that an opportunity like this was on its way. Hopefully onto more of these soon. Josh

I’ve been listening to some of the members personal playlists on Spotify and is great to see such a mix, from Men I Trust to Yussef Dayes. So, how does the members individual taste influence your sound?

Yeah, we have quite a mix of tastes in the band. We kind of find common ground in our love for Jazz harmony and funk rhythms found in the likes of the late 2010’s London scene with the likes of Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes.

Ezra collective too. Before I joined the band I bumped into Aodhan at Erykah Badu and stuff.

But we all have our individual quirks too. Chaz and Don love the 1975, Calvin and I grew up on Thrash Metal with Metallica and Anthrax and the like. We tried to show the other boys the Master Of Puppets album on a car journey home from the studio but there wasn’t much mutual love for it. Tide used to be a smick so he has a bit of an electronic influence along with his RnB style fat keyboard hip hop voicing.

It’s all in there in our songs, especially in the new ones which we’ve been working on. Ben

Tell me what’s the live music scene in like in Belfast?

Belfast has always had an incredibly diverse and tightly knit music scene, with so much new talent coming through regularly. Belfast still feels it’s roots in the punk and mod cultures of the 70s and 80s and I think it shows, but the influence of soul and RnB has really taken hold and started to even push the hip hop scene which is great to see.

The thing about Belfast is that it’s such a small city, and its people are so passionate about music, if you’ve been to a gig in Belfast you have most likely met and spoken to 50% of the music scene. Calvin.

What’s next for Esmerelda Road?

We’ve got a single and EP due to release at the end of the year. We’re supporting Liam Gallagher in Belfast and Limerick this month which is gas for us!

We’re organising a few shows in the UK as well before the year is out. Lots of new music being written too which is fun. Yeahs it’s all go for us right now, it’s good.

PHUNK MEDIA ISSUE 1

COMING SOON