Let The Music Play!
Ealing based Indie rock band NDX find ways to cope with 2020
NDX: Near Death Experience (photo supplied)
Everyone has been affected by 2020 in a host of different ways but, without a shadow of a doubt, performance artists have been particularly hard hit.
Theatres, cinemas and music venues have all been closed and live entertainment has been seriously curtailed. A generally miserable time for most, but Ealing based band, NDX, have found some creative solutions, released new singles and, recently performed together once again in a live online stream.
The
four piece indie/rock band
formed in 2016, and began writing and rehearsing in the beautifully restored St Mary’s Church in South Ealing. Having started to build a following, in 2017 they managed to secure a spot on one of Glastonbury smaller stages,they later opened at Ealing Blues Festival and have performed in West Ealing's Soundbite Festival.
Keen to support music locally they also set up the Ealing Live
events in local pubs to champion original music.
But this was all BC ( Before Covid) and lead guitarist, Bill Marten, says like many other bands NDX were hit hard: '' Playing live is always an amazingly special experience, and we had a great summer of festivals lined up that's all gone up in smoke obviously. I miss that like I'd miss a ventricle, but what is really a shame is that our Ealing Live endeavour, where we'd organise three original bands to play in an evening in a pub, was really going well and we were building up a great community around it, but the last one was at the end of January this year and we don't know when it could happen again!"
With gigs cancelled and lockdown affecting any idea of rehearsing together the quartet tried not to get too downhearted and had to think of what they could actually do, albeit remotely. Having already released one successful album ''Mouth to Mouth" the band were keen to continue their creative journey.
Bass player Amar Grover says: '" Our 'escape' route was to quickly devise a way to keep making music and complete our album while in lockdown. A mix of studio recording software, plug in and play at home recording equipment and the genius of our guitarist Bill Marten meant we could each record our parts remotely for Bill to bring together in his home studio. This enabled us to complete some of our songs and release a series of singles to a world that was hungrier than ever for new music.''
In June they managed to release a new track ''Conquer" which received rave reviews from many music critics, one saying it was '' just the feelgood uplifting track we all need right now” .
Following the success of Conquer, NDX released '' Moves" which led to radio interviews and more recently being invited to play a live stream gig on the show 'The Deep Forest' presented by www.nightsjourney.com. A new track '' Everything" is due out in November.
NDX advise other musicians to keep playing even if it's just at home, create fresh material and improve existing stuff, share files with others and above all stay creative.
Amar says:, ''Live music's important because it's part of the fabric of the arts in general. British artists - bands and singers - in particular have had a massive global audience for decades. But their creativity and professionalism is nurtured by live performances. Stagecraft is a vital part of music. But more than this, people need music and the arts in general, especially during tough times. It feeds our soul and boosts our sense of wellbeing. Funding the arts properly will give everyone an immune boost right now and help us once this mess is over."
Whilst online may be the only outlet for the foreseeable, the band are adamant that live gigs must make a comeback - for everyone's benefit. They're not alone.
Message at Eventim/Hammersmith Apollo
NDX comprise of: Ian Whiteling ( vocals/acoustic) Bill Marten (Lead guitar) Amar Grover ( Bass) and Mike Sarjeant ( Drums)
Find NDX on Spotify
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Annemarie Flanagan
28 October 2020