Get To Know: North-East Hard Rock Band NOT NOW NORMAN
Delivering Hard Rock with a strong message in every track. Taylor-Grace commands the front, belting her lungs out to Zander Browns relentless riffs. Having disabilities since childhood, Taylor-Grace took the decision to turn her pain into power and to the stage.
Fiercely independent - Not Now Norman are at the helm of everything, from their sound to their image. Over the years since their formation, they’ve interacted daily with their fans - creating a strong, loyal fanbase that grows by the day.
We chat to Taylor-Grace exclusively.
So firstly, how would you describe your sound?
I find it difficult to fit us into one genre because I think doing so can restrain what you create. On the face of it we’re a hard rock band that likes to dabble in alt rock, pop and metal. We tend to be loud, sassy with very very blunt lyrics. With being on the spectrum, I find it easier to just get to the point rather than using metaphors. It’s easier to express my emotions that way. The way I write reflects how I’m feeling about particular incidents or how I’m feeling at the time. Music helps me to convey my thoughts in a way that people can relate to and I find it difficult to express myself in any other way.
Tell us about how you filmed your awesome video for 'What I Want'
It was a bit of a last minute decision if I’m honest. A couple of weeks before the album release I was in the middle of the endless list of emails for PR when I realised I didn’t have a music video for it, which was a bit of a mishap. So many things were happening last minute I didn’t have a chance to get to making one. I’m a bit of a workaholic when it comes to Not Now Norman and hardly ever get to see my friends so for months my friend Emi and I planned a weekend in Newcastle to go and see The Pretty Reckless. Given I only had a couple of weeks, I texted my friend Emi and said ‘Hey, I know we’re supposed to be enjoying the weekend, but I need a last minute music video ASAP!’ So she filmed me driving on the way back and walked with me as I filmed us walking around the city the next morning as we tried to find her a cup of coffee. There’s also a couple of clips of us playing at Lindisfarne fest 2022.
Who are your three biggest musical inspirations?
I’m finding it difficult to narrow it down to just 3, but at the moment I would have to say The Pretty Reckless, Guns ‘n Roses and Joan Jett. I’ve always been a fan of bands with angry vocals as they just sound so raw and unapologetic about themselves.
Who is the best band you've ever seen play live?
It’s a cross between P!NK back when I was 14 and The Pretty Reckless a couple of months ago, as both are huge inspirations of mine. My Mum and Dad (Zander) bought me tickets to see P!NK years ago. It was my first proper concert, so it set the bar pretty high for me because I was in awe throughout the whole thing. It was the same with The Pretty Reckless. Taylor Momsen’s vocals are something else and it was such a good gig. The support act, The Cruel Knives were pretty good too.
What’s the toughest part of the industry for you?
I find it difficult to create content. I struggle with finding interesting ways to promote our music to the point where I bring myself down about it. Sometimes I think that the way I word things sounds stupid, other times I don’t want to annoy people too much about it other else people wont want to buy merch or listen to the tracks. It’s a New Years resolution of mine to get over that and to be annoying as humanly possible about it.
What’s the most enjoyable part of the industry?
There are a couple of things that I like about it. One of them being that I really like making friends with other bands and musicians. Whether it be online or backstage at gigs. I like sharing stories and experiences, and learning from what they do. Theres a lot you can learn from just having a conversation. I guess it feels like you’re part of something bigger, like you’re part of their journey and vice versa. I also like it when I hear that one of my songs has helped someone in someway. For example, when I first released ‘Little Frankenstein’, (Which is about having a bone condition that I have), I had a couple of parents message me saying “My child heard your track and told me they don’t feel alone anymore”.
What are your plans for Christmas and New Year?
This year’s Christmas will be quiet as usual, but on New Years we’ll be celebrating at the Live Lounge in Sunderland so we’re looking forward to that.