From Nashville to Neepsend, musicians Ed Cosens and Samuel Taylor are putting great songwriting centre stage with their new Northern Nights series. Inspired by the intimate listening rooms of Nashville, the first event lands at Merchants Court this month, bringing Ed together with acclaimed songwriters Michele Stodart and Robert Vincent for a laidback songwriters’ round. Exposed caught up with Ed to find out what they’ve got planned.
This all sounds pretty good, Ed. Where did the idea for Northern Nights first come from?
Sam and I had been talking for a while about starting up a night in Sheffield, in the north, that was a really laidback live night focused on quality songwriting. Similar to the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, where you know if you go there, it’s going to be amazing songwriters and artists performing.
We wanted to recreate that kind of thing in the north of England, hence the Northern Nights name – a play on ‘Southern Nights’, the classic American country song.
What was missing from the live music scene that made you think, ‘We should probably just do this ourselves’?
A lot of people are doing songwriters’ rounds these days, but sometimes they can feel slightly ad hoc or not particularly focused on building a real brand around them.
Going back to the Bluebird Cafe example, we can get anybody on – whether they’re high-profile or not – but the main thing is that if the songs are great and we believe in them as artists, we’ll get them on. People will hopefully be able to discover some new music and listen to music they already love.
We also wanted to showcase some of the unique venue spaces in the city. It’s not going to be in just one place – we’re going to move it around and put on different kinds of events. We thought that’d be a nice fit for the local music scene.
Americana, blues, folk and roots is quite a broad church – what ties it all together for you?
Well, the Americana label as a whole is very broad. It covers a lot of bases and doesn’t really mean a huge amount on its own, but for me it’s more about the community and the group of artists who aren’t just country or blues or folk – a bit like myself, in a way.
I’ve moved into that world as an artist, but I wouldn’t call myself blues or soul or folk. It’s a bit of a catch-all term.
But what it definitely is is brilliant storytelling and songwriting at the heart of it. Songs that touch people lyrically and melodically – that’s the thing that ties it all together.
The first night that we’re putting on is what you’d class as Americana, a bit folkier, but other nights we’ve got planned are a bit more bluesy, with other artists more under the country music banner.
So yeah, it is a broad church, but that’s good because it allows us to put on interesting gigs and not be tied to a certain niche.
The intimate setting seems like a big part of the idea. What do you get from seeing songwriters in a room like that which you don’t necessarily get from a standard gig?
Both myself and Sam have played many gigs in intimate settings. It’s a kind of ‘listening room’ idea, where people can come and listen and focus on the songs, lyrics and stories behind them.
Being in a more intimate setting allows artists to really tell their stories. Bigger rooms are often not suited to that style of gig, whether you’ve got people talking over it or you’re having to fight against the room to get what you want to say across.
So the idea behind a more intimate setting is quite key to the whole series of gigs. It’s a night where people know they’re going to get good music, good songs and interesting stories from interesting people.
You’re kicking things off with a songwriters’ round. For anyone who’s never been to one before, what can they expect from the night?
The first gig will be more of a traditional songwriters’ round. The musicians will be on stage at the same time and they might play a couple of songs each, then it’ll just go around between them.
It’s a nice, laidback way of doing things – everyone can chip in and conversations can start. There might be a bit of collaboration. It’s a slightly different way of watching music, the audience can get a bit more involved if they want to and it becomes a much more inclusive environment.
It’s a case of ‘come down, hear a few songs, have a few drinks and feel part of the night itself’.
How did Robert Vincent and Michele Stodart end up being the people you brought in for the first one?
I’ve known Robert for a few years now and I’ve known Michele for a little while. We’ve all written together and, in fact, on my upcoming album there are songs with both of them on there.
They’re both fantastic songwriters, so to have them on for this first night is a bit of a coup. Anybody who watches them play their songs goes away thinking, ‘Wow!’ I don’t think they’ve actually got the credit they deserve, but I love them both and think they’re incredible songwriters.
And hopefully, I can add a little bit to the night myself!
Away from Northern Nights, what have you been up to recently? What’s been taking up most of your time musically – any new releases or projects brewing that you can tell us about?
I’ve been working on a new album, which I’m so excited about, and I genuinely believe it’s the best work I’ve ever done. That statement includes all the Reverend and the Makers back catalogue – so I’m saying the best stuff I’ve done… ever.
I’m working on the final bits now – I’ve got some brass coming in, plus a choir and some strings. I recorded it mostly live with Northern Cowboys at Yellow Arch Studios. That will hopefully be released next year.
In the meantime, I’ve got new releases from the covers EP coming out and I’m working as musical director on the How Could I Forget? musical with Joe Carnall, which will be showing in October.
Personally, I feel like I’ve reached the place I’d like to be as a songwriter now, so I’m just looking forward to really getting cracking and getting the music out there.
The first Northern Nights takes place on 12 September at Merchants Court, featuring Michele Stodart, Robert Vincent and Ed Cosens. Tickets are £20+bf and available from wegottickets.com.
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