We spoke to Liam Fender about his new release, performing at St James Park and the North East music scene

After seeing his brother, Sam headline two sold out shows at St James Park earlier this summer, Liam Fender is now gearing up for his own special day.

The North Shields singer-songwriter released his debut EP on Friday, July 28 and is preparing for his own musical journey after already playing to a sold out Riverside in Newcastle at the end of 2022.

After releasing a series of singles, this will be the artist’s first full release.

"It’s nice to put out something which is a bigger body of work” he explained when talking to NewcastleWorld. “It’s been quite a long, drawn out process really.

"I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out and now it’s down to the listener to decide what they make of it.”

The long process has allowed Fender to consider his next steps: “I’m already in the pre production stages of making an album – it’s the very early stages but all is going well and the intention is to follow up with a full album next year.

"I kind of approach putting music together like a screenwriter with a series where you’ve got all these episodes but there’s an overarching story arc. If anything I like to think this EP sets the listener up and hopefully it’ll make people think ‘ok, I’d like to hear more.’”

Liam Fender and his brother Sam have been well known within the North East music scene for a number of years now, and both are keen to ensure that link remains as their careers continue.

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The older of the two claims he will always carry the North East with him and the scene which has allowed him to progress as an artist: “There is so much going on up here right now” he says.

"There’s definitely a vibrant scene up here now, the likes of which I’ve never seen so it’s a really exciting time to be in this area. You’ve got loads of great bands coming though, Hector Gannet, Jango Flash.

"There is definitely something stirring in the North East. It’s a really exciting time to be part of it.”

The Fender family is already synonymous with the North East’s music scene thanks to the younger of the two brothers, Sam, who recently welcomed Liam on stage in the first of two huge St James Park shows – something the older brother is still struggling to come to terms with: “It was all a bit surreal if I’m honest!”

“I think because it all happened so fast, it’s all been a fairly meteoric rise to fame, but it was great fun. What an atmosphere, especially on home turf.

The two sang Bruce Springsteen’s I’m On Fire as part of the first of two shows – a song the two have fond memories of growing up.

"The build up was horrific because I kept forgetting the words! I’d known that song for years and I think it was a culmination of a few things but I definitely had some brain fog going on

"It was just great walking on and seeing all those people. It was something I never thought I would do and it’s probably something I’ll never do again.

"When was the last thing you had something big coming out of the North East? You’ve maybe got to go back to Sting and Dire Straights so there’s definitely a sense of renewal. There’s always been a deep connection with music in the North East but there’s definitely something stirring now.

The huge stadium shows are not in the forefront of Liam Fender’s mind at the moment, and he seems content on building his own music career in his own way: “I guess because I’m a bit older I’m a bit more inclined to just be in the moment and see where things end up. I’ve got no great expectations.

"I’m just happy I get the opportunity to make the kind of music I want to make. I’m just enjoying making music after a while of being away from it and letting things unfold.

"I hope when people listen to [the new EP] I hope it brings them as much pleasure and joy as it has caused me suffering and agitation in the process of making it!”

Liam Fender’s new EP is released on Friday, July 28.