Leicestershire-based act The Gerry Farrow Band were among my brightest musical finds last year. From the hauntingly beautiful ‘Giving Up‘ to the heartfelt stunner ‘Take Me With You‘, Gerry and his band craft music that speaks directly to the listener’s soul.
Keen to get to know Gerry better, I was stoked when he recently agreed to an interview! Chatting with us about the outfit’s brand new single ‘Mountains’, which of his lyrics he’d like to see printed on T-shirts, and which 3 albums he’d take with him to a deserted island, please give a warm welcome to our friend Gerry Farrow!
Hey Gerry! Thanks a lot for taking the time to chat with us! It’s great to be able to re-introduce you to our ever-growing audience! Now, we at Mesmerized have been fortunate enough to cover your last few singles but, for those unfortunate souls who have yet to discover your sound, what would you say they’re missing out on? How would you describe your music?
Thanks, it’s good to be here!
At heart, the music is acoustically based, as I write all the material on the acoustic guitar. Still, of course, there is a large element of electric guitar in there as well from our amazing lead guitarist Rob Bullock. Some call us acoustic rock, some say indie folk. I think we are somewhere in the middle of the rock, pop, indie folk Venn diagram! I would just encourage your readers to have a listen and decide for themselves.
Now, I’m sorry to pose such a tough question so early, but what song of yours would you select to skyrocket to the top of the charts and achieve massive success?
I guess that ‘Giving Up’ which we released earlier this year on New Reality Records would be the one. This seems to have caught the attention of a lot of online listeners and is our best-performing song to date. We are also excited about our next release but more on that later!
I’ve previously described your collection of influences as “closely resembling my CD rack”, with the likes of The Waterboys, The Beatles, Neil Young, and R.E.M. all seemingly having been inspirational to your sound. Is there anybody else you’d shout out for having shaped your artistry?
Yes, there is definitely some 1970s rock in there with, for example, Pink Floyd and subsequent Roger Waters material. There’s also a hint of Radiohead.
I’ve fallen head over heels in love with your latest single ‘Mountains’. It just couldn’t be more up my alley with that nostalgia-laced vibe and those warm, old-school vocals. What do you want our readers to know about your new tune?
‘Mountains’ is a tune that I wrote in the drop DADGAG tuning (for all the guitarists out there). The original version of this song was done with my friend and violinist Kelly Halloran and appears on my album ‘The Music in my Head’ which was released in 2023.
We decided to re-record it to sound closer to the live version that we do in the band now which is much more electric guitar-driven with a barnstorming solo from Rob. The song is about how we put obstacles in our own way believing we can’t do things when we actually can.
German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” What would your life look like without music and what fills your days when you’re not busy creating?
I love spending time with my wife Lyn and our two amazing daughters Emmie and Eva.
I can’t really imagine a life without music, to be honest. That would be a disaster and I would be forced to watch the TV!
Which of your lyrics would you like to see printed on a T-shirt?
“Sometimes I see
MOUNTAINS
when they’re not there”
OK, Gerry – desert island time! You’re allowed to grab 3 albums before being stranded on an island. Which do you go with and why?
‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ would need to be in there to represent The Beatles. I’ve loved The Beatles since I was 14 when I read the Hunter Davies Biography. I was lucky enough to be at the Paul McCartney show in London in Dec 2024 when Ringo showed up to play drums.
‘This Is the Sea’ by The Waterboys. I first heard this at a friend’s house and the intro to ‘Don’t Bang the Drum’ just blew me away and I played it to death after that. I’ve seen Mike Scott/The Waterboys many times and will be seeing them again later this year.
‘Famous Blue Raincoat’ by Jennifer Warnes. I love this collection of Leonard Cohen songs. When we play live, we often play the version of ‘First We Take Manhattan’ from this album which had Stevie Ray Vaughn on guitar.
Gerry, thanks again for taking the time! It’s been a pleasure getting to know you better! Before we say farewell for now, what comes next for you musically and do you have any words of wisdom you’d like to leave us with?
We are excited about our next single which is a collaboration with Loughborough UK artist Rainbow Frog Biscuits and is called ‘A millimetre off the ground’. We are currently finishing the recording and will be making a video in February. Hopefully, this will be out sometime in the spring of 2025.
