INTERVIEW | NORTHERN INDIE RISER CONNOR ADAMS ON HIS UPLIFTING NEW RELEASE ‘BETTER DAYS’

CONNOR WILL HEADLINE APRIL SHOWS IN LONDON AND MANCHESTER

Releasing his latest single ‘Better Days’ this month is indie singer-songwriter, Connor Adams. With soaring vocals, uplifting melodies and Springsteen-esque guitars, ‘Better Days’ is riding on the same wave as the likes of Tom Grennan or Callum Beattie.

With the support from This Feeling and appearances at last year’s Isle of Wight Festival, Connor is set for an encouraging 2024. Set to celebrate the release of Better Days with two special live dates next month (details below), we caught up with Connor for a quick chat.

Hello Connor, thanks for joining us at Northern Exposure. So tell us, who is Connor Adams?

Well that’s me, hello! I’ve been calling myself an Indie Rock/Singer Songwriter – which when you listen through my playlists is pretty accurate. Born and raised in the East of England, Suffolk to be precise, where I currently live in my humble abode.

How would you describe your music in three words?

Energizing, Uplifting, Honest.

When did you first start playing music?

I started learning guitar at the age of 8, and I’d say a couple of years into getting confident with that I started to have a go at writing songs. I then formed a little band with my rugby mates, we were called ‘Whatever’ and we played strictly Green Day and My Chemical Romance – I know right, what else would you wanna play in 05/06?!

Who inspires you?

My nearest and dearest, people I surround myself with and see every day. I have many musicians that I look up to and aspire to reach the level of their success, but for me I get truly inspired by my loved ones.

Tell us about your new single ‘Better Days”?

Sure, I wrote this back in November 23. My friend was in a really bad spot and I felt a little helpless, so I turned to writing as I often do and that’s how Better Days began. I really wanted to capture a 70’s/80’s feel with this, hugely inspired by the great songwriters of that era: Springsteen, Don Henley. Big open guitars with a driving rhythm section. Tom Peters who produced this record absolutely nailed this, such a fun project to work on and I’m buzzing that it’s released to the world!

What does the songwriting process look like to you? Is it a solo effort?

It has been the last couple of times, yes. However my older works include a lot of collaboration with my good pal Nic Keeble, killer guitarist/musician. Better Days challenged me as a writer, it honestly threw me into deep waters. I rewrote the song 3 times lyrically, they just weren’t hitting home. As a Singer Songwriter I really pride myself on the lyrics, they’re often the focus point of my songs as well as the vocal itself – so it has to be all killer no filler.

What can people expect from your upcoming live shows?

Oh man, where to begin. It’s no secret that playing live is 100% my favourite part of being a musician, the feeling I get is pretty overwhelming. I’ve had many moments on stage where we’ve been playing a killer gig and I’ve thought to myself ‘Does it get any better than this?!’. I always write with the live show in mind, so adding Better Days to the set is going to be off the chain! Absolutely buzzing for the April shows I have lined up: April 6th, London The Water Rats. April 20th, Manchester Off The Square.

First memory of music?

On the road, in the car with my family. I’m the youngest of 3 siblings, so back in the day on a long road trip down to Surrey to see the family we’d all get an album each to play. I remember waiting for my turn felt like a lifetime, but when it did it felt euphoric. My choices were either Bryan Adams, The Darkness or U2 – all of their records take me back to these special early memories.

First gig you went to?

The Darkness, SSE Wembley 2004. Yep, with Ash also being the opening act – 9 year old me was rocking out pretty hard on this night. Slush puppies all round!

If you could claim one song for your own – what would it be?

Maria by Blondie. I catched Blondie’s set after we played at the Isle of Wight last year – epic! We’d just finished playing and it was time to get on the beers. After some torrential rain, Blondie and the sun finally came out to play. It felt like such a special moment to be a part of, hearing Maria live with the crowd belting out the chorus just generated a new love for the song. Been my go to tune when I need a pick me up lately.

Last physical album you bought?

Ermmmm, I think The 1975’s ‘being funny in a foreign language’. I bought it for a friend’s birthday, in the card I wrote: “I know you can stream this on Spotify, but there’s nothing like having the physical copies in your hands. That’s when you can fully, truly appreciate an album”. It felt nice.

Finish the phrase….the way to my heart is?

Perhaps I should say something consequential like: Through the actions you show and the seeds that you sow…? But I think this may be a more fitting way to sign off from this fun interview. BY STREAMING MY NEW SINGLE BETTER DAYS AND GRABBING A TICKET TO SEE ME LIVE.