Lancaster Unsigned With The Taphouse

One of the groups we affectionately name "the big four", Early Darts are making world class music right now, right here in Lancaster. They're one of the City's big hitters, you need to become a fan immediately!

https://www.instagram.com/earlydarts/

Shelectro creates a beautiful sonic world and then invites you to join them!

We're fans, this interview is a good introduction to an important side of the Lancaster Music Scene.

Find more here: https://www.instagram.com/shelectromusic/

Legendary Lancaster and Morecambe act Hiroshima Twinkie join us for a chat about this an' that.

Find more here: https://www.hiroshimatwinkie.com/

Art Gallery—Ryan (vocals/guitar), Joe (drums), and Ralph (bass).

Legendary Lancaster band who have built a solid live show and reputation around gigs at The Ferret, The Golden Lion and Lancaster University.

This is their first appearance on the show.

INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/artgallerytheband/

We catch up with the enchanting Eleanor Bennett after her Tap House set and play her tracks "Breathe Light" and "So Full."

She describes her music as "folk acoustic ambience," discusses writing original material (initially poetry set to music, now lyrics and melody together), and says her songs come from a heartfelt, soulful place and function like a diary of her life.

Worth noting she removed her music from Spotify/iTunes due to low artist payouts and instead shares music on SoundCloud and sells CDs.

She also goes busking in Lancaster, Edinburgh, Bath, and Paris, and mentions playing concertina.

Fall in love with more of her music here: https://soundcloud.com/eleanor-bennett-arts

Darren Leadsom from More Music Morecambe pop in to tell us more about the a community music charity based in Heysham's West End that has operated since 1993.

They run inclusive workshops for all ages and abilities, work in schools, host gigs and community festivals, and use music to build confidence, wellbeing, and community connections. Sessions are typically £3 for youth and £5 for adults, with affordable gig pricing and LA3/LA4 resident discounts, plus non-means-tested bursaries to prevent cost being a barrier.

Darren describes their youth program that writes and records original songs into compilation albums produced by staff member Leroy, including climate-action-themed tracks for the youth-led Three Degrees Festival, and introduces songs "The Mountain" and "Horizon." He also highlights the 60+ "Singing Cafe".

Find out more at https://moremusic.org.uk/

Sometimes you just know a band is on the verge of something special, that's the vibe we got from XOX after thier TRIUMPHANT gig at The Taphouse where this interview was recorded. Since then the band have been making good on that promise with showcases and gigs around the North West.

"That's one of the best live performances I've seen this year" is the headline from our correspondent.

They feature aggressive vocals, heavy guitars, and a metallic, driving bass sound, which as electrified people around Lancaster, Manchester and the northwest. They're basically your new favourite band.

Go find more here: https://www.instagram.com/xoxbanduk/

Ruth Eliza joins us, an acomplished songwriter and performer. Hear her how taking up five-string clawhammer banjo, after hearing Darrell Adams perform, and learning through lessons and Sore Fingers summer schools, where she formed the band Blue Lass.

Her solo work blends bluegrass and old-time influences with an Anglo folk/Americana feel, featuring original songs and instrumentals. Catch her in Lancaster gig at The Hall Café (Atkinson's) on Saturday 25 April; her debut album is due around March 2026.

Find her work here: https://rutheliza.bandcamp.com/album/while-the-light-shines

Derek Meins has a chat to us about THE LANCASTER MUSIC COOP where he is both a Director and Volunteer.

Hear about the student-founded hub for rehearsal and recording, its closure during lockdowns, and how post-lockdown disrepair prevented reopening. Hear about our efforts to secure a permanent lease to access funding, a full strip-back renovation with five soundproofed rehearsal rooms and a rebuilt recording studio, and hopes to reopen in 2026.

We also chat about the thoroughly epic monthly free-entry co-op fundraising gigs held the last Friday of every month at The Pub in Lancaster. And the recent Bandcamp compilation, of local acts put out ot raise money for the cause.

We couldn't let Derek escape without telling us about VEX MESSAGE the influential three-piece and their themes of surveillance and modern "utopian" visions...

Find VEX MESSAGE: https://open.spotify.com/track/0vfwxSyS1JCgbUC2WVJSGI

FIND THE COOP ALBUM: https://lancastermusiccoop.bandcamp.com/album/co-opilation-vol-1

The wonderful effervescent CHLOE JANE HIRST joins us. Do make sure you go and listen to her music, a fantastic vocal range and powerful lyrcis.

She talks about her new as yet unreleased song "Soldier Boy," inspired by concern for men experiencing pain and lack of support, a possible summer 2026 release. In that chat we mention Andy's Man Club. Here's a link to them: https://andysmanclub.co.uk/

And here's a link to Chloe's LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/chloejanehirst