MacD on Music: Nature of the Game

I think it’s safe to say that most music fans are monarchists in some form or another. Odds are anybody reading this is a fan of at least one significant royal figure, be it King Crimson, Queen Latifah or Duke Special.

This week, I’m talking to a Belfast artist who is the latest in the line of succession, Ben Cutler of Prince Regent. Also featuring Conal Morgan, Shea McCrea and Matt Nolan, the group began life in the summer of last year and, in July, released their debut single ‘Nature Of The Game’.

I caught up with Ben recently to talk about the group and the song: “I’ve been doing my solo music for many years, then stopped for a couple of years before taking a notion to give it another go.

"There was a guitar player, Conal Morgan, based in Newry, that I’d always admired. I’d seen the videos of covers and whatnot on YouTube and seen a few gigs of his. He just played like one of the greats. I was opening up for Dom Martin in Newry when he was down in his local pub, so I bumped into him there and it sort of planted the seed.

"Fast forward three years and I’d taken to full time cover gigging to make a living as a musician, which many people have to do, but it comes to a point when you realise you’re stuck in a loop and you don’t want to be at that forever. I gave Conal a call asking if he wanted to try something on the side, just to have a bit of fun, because that’s why we all started this in the first place.

"It started with a quick jam with the both of us. I’d written a few tracks then we went to have a look for a couple of guys who could join us as a rhythm section.”

“It was a very quick process. Everyone in the band is either in a wedding band or, like myself, playing pubs, restaurants, hotels etc. so we are busy at the weekend and we work around that. This is the hobby side of music and hopefully we can work away in the background and one day turn it into something more than that if it all pans out.”

I asked about ‘Nature Of The Game’: “The first thing we put our minds to when we were in the rehearsal room was, I’d written a few songs but this one stood out when we played it live and we thought we’d just head to the studio. I’d never been in the studio with a band. I’ve been there with session musicians, who were there to play their part and away they go but I’d never entered it with a group, where everyone’s equally invested in the project.

"We spent one day and all went well. It was a long day, I ended up the first one there and last one out but we ended up with this track and that’s what started the band rolling.”

Speaking about recording with a band vs. session players: “What’s similar about it is that I’m still the songwriter. I brought the song near enough in it’s complete form to them. We took out a section, added a section and whatnot. It’s interesting. Everyone brings something to the table, at the end of the day.

"If I were to go in on my own I probably come out with something completely different. Sometimes it can be a case of too many cooks, but in this case everyone brought something of their own to it. It was a very easy going process. There has to be an outlet to your creative side, when you’re so used to playing whatever is in the charts. It’s a breath of fresh air making something new. Everyone was excited going into it. It’s been a few years for all of us.”

And that’s it from Ben and Prince Regent. Their debut single ‘Nature Of The Game’ is out now on all good streaming platforms.

Now, onto other business. Last week I was turned on to local artist BoaChitta, who’s single ‘Sparkling Dynamite’, from her forthcoming debut album ‘Come Out of the Water’, has recently been named Hot Press Record of the Week. With a voice shaped by artists like the Pixies and the Cranberries, her sound is “rich with echos of her heroes, yet unmistakably her own”.

Also, this Friday (5th September) will see the much anticipated return of Lord Jane to Derry when they play Bennigan’s with support from Red Bishop and (in their debut gig) Dylan Bradley & the Heat. Tickets are £10 plus booking fee and doors are at 8.

READ MORE: MacD on Music

Finally, time for the socials. Red Bishop can be found on Instagram @redbishopband, Dylan Bradley & the Heat @dylanbradleyheat, Lord Jane @lordjanemusic, BoaChitta @boachittamusic and Prince Regent @prince_regent_band.