A brand-new project, Side by Side, launched at the weekend with the aim of providing a platform and exposure for typically underrepresented communities within music.
The special compilation album has been curated by record label Come Play With Me (CPWM) and is entirely compiled of songs by women and LGBTQIA+ artists in the area. And amongst the artists involved is Manchester-based Tyron Webster.
A graduate from the Leeds College of Music, Tyron has already become an exciting name within the Manchester scene, with performances at Manchester Pride and a headline show at The Castle.
He’s set about using his music and experiences of the industry so far to show why it’s important for projects like Side By Side to exist.
“I wanted to get involved as a black queer artist as I really do understand that importance of representation,” he told Audio.
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“CPWM have always been pioneers of a fair music game and they really do want to rep people so genuinely and not in a tokenistic way which is why I was so keen to get involved as they’ve always shown me love.
“Representation is so, so, so important. It’s good for the young musicians that are woman, people of marginalised gender or part of the LGBTQIA+ community that think the industry isn’t for them.”
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Looking back at his own experiences, Tyron says underrepresented communities such as these are often overlooked and usually have to work that bit harder to be seen and heard. So much so, he’s found himself questioning his own place in the industry in the past because of who he is.
Not wanting others to go through the same, Tyron hopes the project will restore a sense of self-assurance for artists and prove to everyone that they have the right to be there just as much as the next.
Naturally, it’ll unlock opportunities and build a new level of confidence for them to express themselves and have their music heard by the masses.
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Tyron Webster
With a multi-ethnic background, Tyron grew up with all kinds of musical influences. From a young age he was surrounded by all the wonderful Caribbean sounds with the reggae, calypso and ska that were played at family gatherings. Meanwhile, pop, rock and R&B were always at the forefront of his own music tastes.
But without being able to really pin down a moment that he knew music was the career for him, he recalls it just being a part of him for as long as he can remember.
“I used to watch Prince – Purple Rain movie on repeat all day, every day when I was little. Music has always been an escape for me, so I’d sing for family and in school shows,” said Tyron.
“Then I took it seriously from college where I studied it and then when I went to university to do music is where it really became a career. So, I can’t really recall a time where I thought this is it, I’ve always just done music.”
Regardless of his influences, Tyron’s own music is packed with soul and personal experience, making it pretty easy to connect with.
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His track on the Side by Side compilation – ‘Love Ya, Pt. 2’ – is a sequel to ‘Love Ya Pt. 1’ that he wrote with his producer Chris Durkin earlier this year.
Themes of heartbreak, break ups and pain set the tone for both instalments. But overall, Tyron wants the message that ‘love is love’ to come across loud and clear. Because no matter what our sexual orientation, love is the same for us all. This is something absolutely everyone will have in common. So for inspiration, Tyron draws on that common ground to show we’re all human.
“The song is a self-love, self-discovery song,” he said.
“I felt at the time there was so much pressure to be in love and find your ‘soul mate’. I met a guy who on paper was great, amazing and perfect for me, but I knew I had work to do on myself for me to be able to let him in and to be able to genuinely love him.
“I know too many people that will just settle – especially in the gay community due to the pressure from society so I took inspiration from that. All of my songs are written on personal experiences. Part. I is more of an R&B production, while Part. II is a ‘sad boi’ violin stripped back moment to really bring the message and emotion of the song across.”
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Elsewhere on the album there’s a healthy mix of genres, with all kinds of pop, R&B and hip-hop productions making up the 12-track collection. But also on there is Manchester-based The Elephant Trees, whose track ‘Day 42’ is an ode to the repetitiveness of lockdown and the mental health implications that come with it.
To add to the occasion, CPWM have made 500 vinyl copies of the compilation using repurposed wax from the pressing factory that would otherwise be binned. Not only does this make them more eco-friendly, but means each one is completely unique using different colours.
Side by Side is out now where you’ll find Tyron’s track ‘Love Ya, Pt. 2’ at track one. Check it out below and drop Tyron a follow here.
Stay up to date with Manchester music with The Manc Audio.
Music
‘Grow up’ – Matty Healy urges Oasis to ‘stop messing around’ and reunite
Emily Sergeant
Matty Healy has urged Oasis to “stop messing around” and get back together in a new interview.
In a video that’s already amassing tens of thousands of views online, the frontman of Manchester-based indie pop rock band, The 1975, has made his thoughts on the feuding Gallagher brothers known during an in-depth interview with on Q with Tom Power from Canadian broadcaster CBC this week.
During the interview, the 33-year-old singer touched on everything from the process of making the band’s latest record, 2022’s critically-acclaimed Being Funny in a Foreign Language, to his onstage antics, and why he’s decided to embrace sincerity and being earnest – but that doesn’t seem to be the main take-away of Manchester music fans.
It’s his opinion of iconic Britpop band Oasis that’s really got people talking.
In what he called a “public service announcement”, Healy claimed Oasis are still “the coolest band in the world” but questioned what the Gallagher brothers are playing at by continuing to fight with each other after all these years.
Telling them to “grow up”, Healy urged Liam and Noel to “get back together and stop messing around”.
Healy told the interviewer: “What are Oasis doing? Can you imagine being in potentially, right now, still the coolest band in the world, and not doing it because you’re in a mard with your brother? I can deal with them dressing like they’re in their twenties but being in their fifties, but acting like they’re in their twenties?
“They need to grow up.”
Matty Healy urges Oasis to ‘stop messing around’ and reunite / Credit: Tom Power & CBC’s Q (via Instagram)
Healy continued: “Stop marding. They’re men of the people, and they’re sat around in, like, Little Venice and Highgate crying over an argument with their brother.
“Grow up. Headline Glastonbury. Have a good time. Have a laugh.”
The Wilmslow lad also took a second to speak on the popularity of both the Gallagher brothers’ post-Oasis solo projects and endeavours, and claimed fans aren’t as interested in seeing Liam Gallagher or Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds live as they would be going to an Oasis gig.
“There is not one person going to a High Flying Birds gig or a Liam Gallagher gig that would not rather be at an Oasis gig,” Healy claimed.
“There is not one person.
“Not one person is there going, ‘you know what? I loved Definitely Maybe, but my favourite thing is f***ing Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’.”
“Do me a favour – get back together, stop messing around. That’s my public service announcement for today,” he concluded.
You can catch Matty Healy’s interview on Q with Tom Power in full on YouTube here.
Featured Image – CBC | Oasis (via Facebook)
Music
Watch live – Sticky Heat rave in Cheetham Hill to be streamed this weekend by StreamGM
Daisy Jackson
Renowned suburban club night Sticky Heat is partnering with StreamGM for a rave in Cheetham Hill, to be live-streamed across the globe.
The massive party will celebrate Sticky’s big ‘3’ at The Yard, a music and creative venue on Bent Street.
Part of the night will be live-streamed, as episode four of StreamGM’s ongoing MainRoom series – you can join in the party below with our stream on The Manc website.
The digital clubbing series platforms emerging DJ talent and underground club nights across Manchester, but reaches an audience across the world, taking our globally-renowned nightlife scene to far-flung cities and towns.
The MainRoom streams are used as soundtracks to house parties, or rewatched for research into future nights out in the city.
Previous partnerships have included FAC51 The Hacienda, Supernature Disco, Not Bad for a Girl and Bombard Groove, with loads more ‘off piste’ raves to be announced in the coming weeks.
This weekend’s Sticky Heat rave will be headlined by Belgian DJ duo The Glimmers, supported by residents Muddy Feet, Massey and Marco Giannini.
Sticky Heat parties focus on bringing over artists who have either not played in Manchester before, or haven’t visited the city for a long time, taking over venues like The Carlton Club, Gorilla, YES and their new home The Yard.
And if you do miss out on tickets, you can always join the MainRoom broadcast below instead, which will go live between 10pm and 1am on Saturday 4 February.
MainRoom episode 4 with Sticky Heat
MainRoom producer Laura Graham said: “We are made up to be partnering with Sticky Heat one of THE best, musically minded nights out in Greater Manchester.
“MainRoom is all about shining a spotlight on brilliant & talented DJs, and eclectic and inclusive events in the region that people outside of the M60 may not be so familiar with, and Sticky Heat more than fits the bill.
“The Yard is also a real gem of a venue, and the team are super excited to be broadcasting from such a unique space in the heart of Cheetham Hill.”
Sticky Heat’s music policy is as eclectic as their booking policy, with artists encouraged to play with no musical boundaries, and to go in whatever direction they choose to do so. Added with a loyal community who are as musically open minded as they are welcoming.
Sticky Heat co-founder and resident spinner Marco Giannini said: “Sticky Heat is incredibly excited to be collaborating with Stream GM for our 3rd birthday and housewarming party at The Yard in February.
“The Yard is such a special and culturally significant venue for Manchester, and fully accessible for wheelchair users, which is important for Sticky Heat as we always try and make our events as inclusive as possible.
“We have always taken pride in putting together well thought out and planned lineups for our parties, so to bring The Glimmers back to Manchester (and we think maybe even the UK), for the first time since 2015 is quite a coup.”
He continued: “Couple this with our community who really are the backbone of our parties, our new home at The Yard and our trio of residents Muddy Feet, Massey & Marco Giannini, this promises to be a really exciting live stream for those tuning in at home and in different countries. You’ll really get to see what makes this night so special.
“You can tell the second you walk into Sticky Heat that it’s just a really strong community.”
StreamGM have recently partnered with digital wallet app Folio, to ensure their users never miss their live broadcasts, with benefits including: exclusive content, priority guest list at in person events and ticket notifications.
Become a StreamGM member and get a reminder for the Sticky Heat MainRoom stream going live – hit the ‘Get Membership’ button on the homepage.