Music fans, we’re here with your weekly Leicester music guide featuring news and interviews from across the local scene.

This weekly music update is brought to you in partnership with PPL PRS Ltd. Big thanks for their ongoing support of local acts and venues.

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NEWS

Fun Lovin’ Criminals tour

Leicester’s own Fun Lovin’ Criminal, Uncle Frank, is back on tour with the band later this year. Catch the band at venues across the UK with tickets on sale now.

HOME with Courtney Askey
Friday 12 March

The HOME series of streamed concerts continues this weekend with Courtney Askey performing from Leicester Museum. Don’t miss it on Friday 12 March on the Robot Needs Home website.

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INTERVIEW: ADAM ELLIS

Adam has been active in the Leicester music scene for 25 years, both as a live performer and as owner of Deadline Studios. He has recently put out a new single, recorded in lockdown, to raise money for Samaritans, and we caught up with him to find out more about it.

deadline studios leicester

Tell us a little about your background in music in Leicestershire?

These kind of questions always make me realise how old I’m getting! Haha! I’ve been playing and singing in bands for over 25 years now, in Leicester, around the UK, Europe and more recently even further afield in places like Brazil and Jordan etc. Sometimes performing my own original music, sometimes with tribute bands and sometimes playing supporting roles in other artist’s bands. I’ve been running Deadline Studios for the last 20 years, come November, and I spend my day job recording and producing Leicester’s up and coming artists as well as a few seasoned household names.

You’ve recorded a new charity single, what’s it called and when is it released?

Yes, the song is called Advertisement Breaks, kind of hoping this lockdown situation is a relatively brief intermission in life. It’s out now on all streaming platforms with a video on YouTube too. All proceeds go to Samaritans.

What inspired the new single?

I wrote the song during the first lockdown. It’s about the strange groundhog day experience many of us have struggled with during the pandemic. It’s for everyone who has been dealing with the anxieties the pandemic has caused and hopefully heralds “warmer days to come” as things improve towards the summer.

What have you missed most about the music scene during lockdown?

Playing live to a real audience and seeing other bands live for sure. Nothing like live music to raise the spirits!

How have you managed to stay creative during this time?

It’s often times like these (no song quote intended) in which we can find inspiration and the time to develop it. Whether it’s the sorrow and anxiety from the tragedies around us, or the reminder and grounding experience of what is important in life and what we hope to get back to, it can certainly stir the emotions and get the brain going. Left to my own devices a lot during lockdown I eventually gravitate towards the guitar and playing around in the studio. I’ve actually got much of a new album almost ready to go as well as a couple of cover versions I’ve been meaning to do for some time.

Who are some of your other favourite local acts?

I’ve always been a Diesel Park West fan. A recent band I recorded was The Innocents which I really enjoyed. Ferris are always ready with an anthemic tune too! Drugstore Cowboys are a live favourite of mine on a Sunday afternoon at the Donkey.

diesel park west

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your career?

Hard to put a pin on it. I guess my earlier influences of Led Zeppelin, Crowded House, Pink Floyd, Crosby Stills & Nash etc got me going with songwriting. Plus Leicester’s very own Storm Thieves of course in the mid 90s. The unwavering support of my dad over the years and long time friend and songwriting compadre Joel Evans always drove me to better my efforts.

What do you think it is that makes the Leicester music scene so special?

I think we have a great melting pot of influence in Leicester. Borrowing from various genres and cultures simmers down to a pretty psychedelic stew in the cauldron of Leicester’s music venues.

Who and where would you choose for your first gig back after lockdown?

To go and see? I guess I’m looking forward to a barnstorming afternoon with Drugstore Cowboys again. To play myself, I suppose the summer festivals which we hope can go ahead this year and cruise ships again of course!

deadline studios leicester
Engelbert recording with Adam at Deadline Studios

What other plans do you have for the rest of 2021?

Really hoping for a return to playing live into the summer and autumn. I’ll complete the work on my new album. I intend to build my new studio building in my garden over the coming months hopefully ready for my official 20 years in business in November. There’s pubs and restaurants to get back to, and who knows, maybe even a holiday!?

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WEEKLY PLAYLIST

Enjoy this week’s best of Leicester playlist packed full of suggestions, recommendations and top local talent.

Have a listen and get in touch to tell us which tracks you’re loving.

MORE MUSIC NEWS NEXT WEEK

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