Lead singer of Birmingham's Quinn speaks ahead of gig

After years spent reviewing and championing bands, putting on shows, performing DJ sets as well as fronting his own groups, Sam now finds himself fronting his latest outfit Quinn.

The Birmingham singer is fine-tuning his jauntily melancholic music and giving it a sunny sheen. Sun-kissed melodies are matched with wistful, downbeat lyrics, a winning juxtaposition that Sam has learnt from his musical idols The Lemonheads, Teenage Fanclub, Dinosaur Jr. and The Jesus & Mary Chain.

Releasing their debut EP Seems Fine in 2016, the band has raised more than £300 for Teenage Cancer Trust as well as solid reviews and airplay on BBC Introducing, BBC WM, Brum Radio and Scratch FM. Quinn have also supported established acts including We Are Scientists, Inheaven, Teleman and Johnny Lloyd whilst 2017 sees support slots with the likes of Darlia, The Orielles and Lambeth's song writing hero Evan Dando.

With their second EP set for release this summer and a new single coming in the late spring, Quinn's bear hug guitars, summery harmonies and jangly riffs are sure to be more than just a fleeting fling.

Last Thursday, The Ticket were lucky enough to go and catch Quinn supporting The Orielles at The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham hosted by Baddie's Boogie.

Opening the show were Birmingham's The Clause whose sing-along indie tunes got the audience dancing almost straight away, with covers of The Smiths, Kasabian and Oasis, which involved and engaged the ever growing audience.

It was then time for Quinn to take to the stage, performing as a three piece in the live environment with vocalist Sam Lambeth joined by bassist Meg Vedder, for whom this was her last show, and Wolverhampton drummer Samm Jones. Donned in face paint and with enough glitter to look like a human glitterball it's obvious from the start that it's Sam heading this ship.

In the live environment the band's sound is much larger and more rock led than on record, aided by the flamboyant nature of the performance. Tracks such as All The Lazy Hipsters and Sixteen Vandal had a new lease of life, with a special performance of Jessica upon Meg's request prior to her departure. It isn't often – in venues such as The Sunflower Lounge – that an artist's personality can eclipse the size of the stage, but Sam is truly a rock star once he's infront of an audience.

Headlining the evening were Halifax's The Orielles, whose garage fuzz rock did well to entertain the packed-out venue. Recently signing to Heavenly Recordings, home of Temples and The Wytches, the group's expansive pop songs both engaged and absorbed the audience's attention through a variety of moods and soundscapes.

Ending on the fabulous Sugar Tastes Like Salt, which clocks in at just under 10 minutes, the band took the audience from dancing to head banging in an instant. Championed by Huw Stephens and playing at a number of festivals over the summer, The Orielles are certainly ones to watch.

Catch Quinn at the upcoming shows: Into The Void Festival at Six Eight Kafé, tonight; The Sunflower Lounge; June 5. Follow them at www.facebook.com/quinnrocks; Twitter @quinntheband; Instagram: @sam.interrupted

Want to feature on this page? Email daniel.earl@expressandstar.co.uk

By Dan Earl