Natty vocals, lashings of hard-driven guitar chords, and a pumping bass and drum rhythm section – what else can it be but good, old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll?
In an era of experimental music laced with fusion, sampling and collaboration, it’s good to hear rock music in its purest form from The Properness, a London-based band with strong Mayo connections.
The three-piece has just released the impressive first single ‘Middle of Age’, an exciting debut from a band already making a name for themselves in the South East corner of the British capital.
They will play in The Spice of Life in Soho on July 18, with more gigs planned throughout the year.
Songwriter, singer and guitar player Eric Conlon is from Ballina, Co. Mayo, while his bandmates Tom Exton (drums) and Tommo Wilshere (bass) come from Melbourne, Australia and Catford, London respectively.
Photo by Laura Wilson Photography.
As a youngster, Eric lived in The Commons, Foxford Road, Ballina before moving to the other side of town in Mossgrove Village.
Eric speaks of the band’s genesis and of his own formative years: “The family has always had an interest in music with myself playing guitar, my younger brother Aaron playing the accordion and guitar, and my sister Rachel played the violin at one point. My youngest sister Sarah and brother Caden are both learning to play the keyboard”, said Eric.
“Going back before that, my great-uncle Redge played piano and my cousins Padraig Moran, Jason Moran and Bob Doyle all still play music around Ballina”.
“Before I emigrated to London in November 2021 I lived in Galway, and used to write music and rehearse regularly with a band, but we all moved away before we got the chance to start gigging.
“I still continued to write music in London and bumped into Tommo, the bass player, in our local pub. After getting to know each other better we began jamming regularly at my house, working on songs I had written. Having struggled to find a drummer, we started playing open mics as a two piece before a friend put is in contact with Tom”, he said.
The new single ‘Middle of Age’ has a smart tinge of punk about it, bringing music of high-energy grit and melody, and uncompromising lyrics which reflect the good and the bad of life.
The song is an indication of more to come from the trio, who are currently working on releasing another four singles throughout the rest of this year, with the next coming out in late July or early August.
But a live show from The Properness brings out the best in the band, an energy that transfers seamlessly to their audience through electrifying performances and an unmistakable chemistry.
The recently-formed band has already played London venues like Camden Assembly, O2 Academy (Islington) and The Old Dispensary, growing their fan base as they go along.
Listen to ‘Middle of Age’ at https://open.spotify.com/track/4ojXShQ6T88znOnjsLGDNT?si=e9718ed034dc49e2.
