The Easter Parade is a brand new project from Northamptonshire, creating indie-rock music with a reflective and nostalgic vibe like latest single, Sing Our Kids to Sleep. It’s actually the first single to be released under The Easter Parade moniker, which is pretty impressive considering how good the track is! Find out more about the project below and make sure you check the stream out too!
By Jane Howkins
You have a new single that came out in early November titled Sing Our Kids to Sleep. What can you tell us about the tune?
The track was released on 1st November across all major streaming platforms. It’s the first track under this moniker (and the first track I’ve released in a long time). The song is piano-based and features a live string quartet. I’d say it has a very cinematic feel, with a heavy dose of nostalgia. It’s definitely one of the most raw and unpolished songs I’ve ever released, which I think suits the overall tone.
We’ve had a listen to Sing Our Kids to Sleep, and it really is a charming number. What was the writing and recording process like?
Ah, Thank you! That means a lot. It’s one that was on the backburner for quite a while but came together very quickly in the end. I wrote it in a traditional way—just me and a piano— and the recording process was pretty fast too, (well fast for me at least!). The production isn’t groundbreaking or experimental, but I think it serves the song well. I also had the pleasure of collaborating with some really talented musicians who played the strings etc, which really helped bring the track to life.
Why did you decide to perform under The Easter Parade moniker rather than your own name?
I wanted a name that reflected the atmosphere of the music, and The Easter Parade felt far more fitting for that than just using my own name.
You also have an EP coming out titled Raindrops on the Lens. What can fans expect from it, and when will it be released?
The next single, Yesterday’s Grace, should be out in the winter, followed by another single in the new year, and then the EP Raindrops on the Lens in early 2025. Fans can expect more of that same cinematic and reflective atmosphere. I know it’s not a sound that will resonate with everyone, and that’s fine by me. I think even if one other person likes it, it’s all been worth it.
The record is your first original release in ten years! Why did you stop creating music, and what brought you back?
Wow, yes, it’s been quite a while (strange to think it’s actually been that long). I never completely stopped producing or writing, but I was involved in various other projects, none of which were really for myself. I also found myself too focused on whether I had anything interesting or relevant to say, I think, which is a recipe for disaster. Now, this project has become more of an outlet to me than anything else, and it’s far more freeing and fulfilling because of that.
You’re based in Northamptonshire. What’s the local music scene like there?
There’s a lot of great stuff happening here, with some exceptionally talented bands and artists around. That said, like many places in the UK, the live music scene is struggling, which is always a shame to see.
Sing Our Kids to Sleep has an expansive indie-rock sound. What or who influenced you when writing the track? What have you been listening to recently?
For this project, I’ve been more inspired by old black-and-white films like Roman Holiday. A huge influence has been Ennio Morricone’s score for Once Upon a Time in America, which is just a masterpiece. My goal was to capture some of those cinematic and nostalgic qualities in a more contemporary song format. Musically, I’ve been influenced by artists like Ron Sexsmith, Tom Waits, Nick Cave, and Salvador Sobral.
Do you have anything else exciting coming up over the next few months?
I’ll mostly be recording, writing, and producing—which will definitely keep me busy. I’ll also be watching a lot of old films, (which of course, I tell myself is research and not in any way procrastination!
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
Sadly, not yet. I’m still figuring out how to take this project live, since it’s quite heavily orchestrated, and it’s largely a one-person project. It’s definitely something I’d love to do, though – in some shape or form.