Northumberland singer-songwriter The Early Purple (Matt Saxon) has just released new single Summer Hide, taken from his debut EP out 12 May. To celebrate there’s a hometown show in Newcastle in May and hopefully more to follow around the country.
The song opens beautifully: shimmering, plucked guitar strings leading into Matt’s wistful vocals. It’s reminiscent of CSN&Y and creates a hazy, sylvan aura. Summer Hide is a rich and melodious lofi track which sees Matt muse on the transformative power of being outdoors, and the solace that can be found out in nature.
Featuring members of The Early Purple’s live band Matt Hardy (drums/percussion) and Mark Broughton (keys), the track also features Matt’s brother Daniel (bass) as well as a host of friends and local musicians including Will Thorneycroft (harmonium/keys/guitar), Stu Walkinshaw (guitar) and Sarah Baron (vocals).
Summer Hide was produced by long-time collaborator Will Thorneycroft (The Dawdler, Fax Machine, Lovely Assistant) and recorded in Winter 2022 between Blank Studios in Newcastle, Matt’s house in Lynemouth and Will’s House in Whitley Bay.
The subject matter deals with intensely personal and at times philosophical subject matter. Says Matt: “I’m writing about things that are incredibly meaningful to me. A lot of the EP is inspired by my Dad (who sadly passed away in 2020), but it’s pretty oblique so people won’t listen and think: ‘this guy is writing about his old man’. A lot of the songs are actually quite miserable, but I like to think I’m quite an optimistic person.”
An active member of the North East music scene for over a decade, he released his first single as The Early Purple last year: Old Eagle gained airplay on BBC 6 Music and BBC Introducing.
Since 2021 Matt has hosted ‘Hide & Speak’ podcast, chatting to a range of special guests whilst bird-watching in hides across rural Northumberland. Sam Fender, Richard Dawson, Brooke Bentham and more have featured.
Website : The Early Purple / Facebook