BRING THE NOISE FESTIVAL | INTERVIEW | NSO

“We’re The N.S.O, hailing from Sheffield,” says Josh Tallis, introducing the band. The group consists of Josh (Vocals, Rhythm Guitar), Reece Howe (Vocals, Lead Guitar), Jordan Watkin (Drums), and Sam Barton (Bass). “Reece and I have been writing songs together since 2013 in various projects, and in 2022, The N.S.O was born when Jordan joined as our drummer,” Josh continues. “Sam came on board in January 2025, replacing our former bassist, and he slotted in seamlessly. It feels like the pieces of the puzzle are finally all in place.”

Describing their sound, Reece explains, “We both love so many genres and styles, and we’ve used that to create music that’s really hard to box in. It’s a blend of everything we love, and we take pride in standing out like that. It’s been years in the making, but we’ve found our stride.”

As they gear up for their debut EP release, the excitement is palpable. “We’re coming to the end of recording it, and it’ll roll out later this year with a couple of singles,” Josh reveals. “It’s a collection of our favourite material from the last 24 months, and we’ve got some new singles that show how much our sound has grown. The EP really feels like just the beginning for us.”

“We’ve got loads going on,” Reece adds. “Exciting gigs in the next few months and a huge hometown headline show later this year. It’s going to be a massive summer for us, and we can’t wait to share everything we’ve been working on.”

Jordan highlights the band’s evolution, saying, “Sam’s arrival really changed things for the better. He’s brought his own stamp to the existing songs, and he’s influenced the way we write new ones. Having two songwriters, Josh and Reece, who work independently but collaborate so well together, gives our sound this incredible variety. Over the past year, we’ve really started to tie everything together.”

Despite their success, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. “Balance is the hardest part,” Josh admits. “Funding the band takes up so much time. We’re constantly playing gigs to raise money, and that means we have less time for the other parts of being in a band. But we’re managing it. We’ve jumped over every hurdle so far with hard work, planning, and our love for what we do.”

On their creative process, Reece shares, “Josh and I produce most of the ideas together or separately and then bring them to the rest of the band. From there, we record demos and fine-tune everything until it’s ready to play live. Then we take it into the studio for pre-production. It’s a process we’ve honed over time, and it really works for us.”

The band is especially thrilled about their upcoming the Bring The Noise Festival performance. “It’s flattering to have been invited,” says Josh. “The festival is a showcase of the best upcoming bands right now, and getting to share the stage with other great acts is a dream. We can’t wait to take the roof off on the 26th.”

Reece reflects on their Sheffield roots, saying, “Three of us were born and bred here, including Josh and me, the songwriters. It makes our music relatable, both on stage and in our lyrics. We’re not your typical indie band, and we’re proud of that. Being part of Sheffield’s music history would be an honour and a lifelong dream.”

As for the indie scene, Josh is optimistic. “Indie is such a massive umbrella now, with so many different sounds and sub-genres within it. There’s something for everyone, and we want to contribute to its future by keeping it fresh. We’re always pushing the boundary and finding new pockets of inspiration. Sheffield itself is a great example of how cultural diversity can inspire great music.”

Looking ahead, The N.S.O is eager to share their debut EP and continue their journey. “This is just the beginning,” Josh says. “There’s so much more to come.”

Before wrapping up, the band gives a quick shoutout. “Swan,” Josh says with a grin. “They’re good mates and an awesome band.”

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR BRING THE NOISE HERE: Bring The Noise – Sheffield Indie Music Festival 2025 | Tickets & Line Up | Skiddle