NE HOT SEAT: THE EARLY PURPLE

We’re back with our artist insight feature ‘NE Hot Seat’ – where we sit down with some of the North East’s brightest talent on a monthly basis, shine a spotlight on their latest work and find out what they have planned next.

We are so excited to welcome our May NE Hot Seat: rising Northumberland singer-songwriter The Early Purple aka Matt Saxon. Between touring and recording with North East acts Little Comets and The Dawdler, Matt has been quietly writing and recording new music in which, buried in obscure mantras and nods to philosophical writings, he explores themes of personal growth, mental health, social commentary and spirituality through his lyrics.

His debut EP as The Early Purple ‘The Summer Hide’ is out NOW – comprising of five spellbinding alternative-folk and chamber-pop songs

Firstly, congratulations on The Early Purple’s debut EP! How does it feel to have it out there? 

Thank you, I’m really happy it’s out. It’s been a really fun experience since the beginning and the release of it is an exciting chapter of it all. I feel like I’ve baked a cake and just served it to the table, now I’m nervously waiting to see the family’s response.

Can you tell us about the Summer Hide EP and the influences behind the tracks? 

I think the theme throughout the EP, is mental health, and it being presented in different situations that I’ve personally gone through. Things like loss of friends and family, breakups, big life things, you know? I try not to be too sombre about it during my writing.

I’m influenced by so much music but the big ones that stick out for me are Chet Baker, Sam Amidon, Robin Pecknold, and Daniel Rossen.

You’ve been working in the North East music scene for quite a while! Can you tell us a bit about your history as a musician and how The Early Purple came to be? 

I’ve been in a few different bands since around 2010, then joined Little Comets in 2015. Through Little Comets I’ve had some amazing experiences on and off stage and during lockdown when things got quiet, I got involved in recording my own music with Will who I played with in The Dawdler’s live band. He saw that I had a decent amount of songs written so we chipped away at them until Old Eagle was released last year. Things started to pick up a little bit so we decided to do more. A few gig offers came up that I couldn’t refuse so I called on friends to get a band together and it’s kind of just snowballed into what it is today. We’ve just taken baby steps, been patient and had a really relaxed approach to recording. It seems to work.

What does the rest of 2023 look for you? Any live shows coming up?

I’m focussed on promoting my EP now that it’s out so I’m doing a few small solo shows and planning the next big full band show for later in the year. I’ve a lot of songs ready to record so I’d  really like to make another EP. Also, Little Comets are coming home to play Generator Live so I’m really looking forward to that.

We love the podcast and you’ve had some amazing guests! Can you tell us a bit about it and who would be your dream guest?

I chat to artists inside bird hides while we bird watch. It’s really wholesome and relaxing to listen to. You get to hear a long form, unscripted chat about their art whilst hearing the odd bird fact too. My dream guest would have to be Elton John. I think he’d have a few good stories to tell.

spotify playlist: