RGG April 2016 - p.12
The Humdrum Express (Kidderminster based
singer/songwriter Ian Passey) is a great advert
for steady progress. May this year will see the
launch of his fifth album in just over a decade,
with his writing noticeably improving with each
release. His music can often vary in genre,
making it difficult to pigeon-hole, but it’s his
unique lyrical style that sets him apart. Fast
paced social commentary, observational wit
and tales of fallen celebrities are just a taste of
what to expect; all delivered in a unique and
engaging manner. Following gigs with the likes
of John Cooper Clarke, Bob Mould and Half
Man Half Biscuit, Ian started to pick up national
airplay on BBC 6music. Steve Lamacq, in
particular, continues to champion his cause –
along with both Gideon Coe and Tom
Robinson.
We asked The Humdrum Express songwriter
Ian Passey his thoughts on what this next album
offers and what makes it different to his previous
work? He replied "
I suppose it's a natural
progression but perhaps in the past I've been
guilty of the odd lazy lyric mixed in with the
better ones. I always set myself a target of
writing a song that's better than the previous one
and, although it's not always possible, it's a good
mind set to have"
. Producer Mick Lown puts his
name to the forthcoming album and RGG asked
what the experience was like for him? He
answered
“This will be the second album made
with Mick Lown. I always have the structure
finished before we start recording but he's
fantastic at suggesting different instruments to
suit the song. I can't wait to see what we come
up with next!"
By Nick J Townsend
THE
HUMDRUM
EXPR
He's a master wordsmith, a one man army and currently making big waves on
BBC Radio with his song "Copy Cats", the music video of which depicts a town's
entire population dressed in Ramones T-Shirts, a small dig at Primark.
His forthcoming album release, amusingly titled, "The Day My Career Died", will
be the culmination of two years work alongside highly regarded producer Mick
Lown. It will be launched with, what we’re told at RGG will be, a star studded
line up of guest acts and a special gig at The Boars Head in Kidderminster will
take place on Friday 27th of May.
r
gg
