Who?
Me (Nathan Till). I do everything, except drums. For live shows I’m joined by a backing band: a Mac Pro on synths, Ben Dargue on drums and Andrea Gobbi on bass.
Where?
I live in Manchester but I’m originally from sunny Wolverhampton, where the local attractions feature a ‘Man On a Horse’ and a ring road tramp (RIP). I moved to Manchester in 2013 ‘cos I refused to wallow in the quagmire of the recession that hit Wolverhampton like a giant muck spreader. I lost my job, I lost my girlfriend so I thought, ‘f**k it, I’m off’. Manchester is a vibrant and creative city. I feel very inspired here. I’m never going back to Wolves.
How?
GOSN emerged from the ashes of my former group. We disbanded as the bass player went to live in America and the drummer went to London. I continued on my own under a new name. As a treat to myself (as I’d never been in a pro studio before) I got in touch with Gavin Monaghan of Magic Garden to record a track, namely ‘Love Potion’. I released it in under Integrity Records in May 2016 to see how well it would do and it got playlisted on Amazing Radio and made it onto Steve Lamacq’s 6 Music show a number of times. After that I thought I’d better get my s**t together.
Why?
Radiohead, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, The National, Echo & The Bunnymen. I’m inspired by authors too, mainly Bukowski and JG Ballard. I find biographies inspiring. I’ve just read ‘A Drink With Shane McGowan’. I can be inspired by lots of things though. ‘Stranger Things’ really inspired me. When I went to see the Moscow State Circus, they played this very Soviet sounding ABBA type music which made me think I should do something like that! But subvert it, warp it.
Past?
I studied English Lit. and Creative Writing at Wolves Uni. I’d love to take Ed Sheeran’s lyrics to a creative writing lecturer and see how they stand up to critical analysis…Mumford & Sons’ too. They obviously have never heard the phrase ‘see an adjective and kill it’. I’m guilty of a lot of clichés too, I admit. Most songs are built on them, especially choruses. Here’s a writing tip: if you want a sure fire hook, use a common phrase like ‘I’m only human after all.’
Present?
Far reaching indie rock with a fitting dash of new wave.
Future?
To be important.
Did you know?
I was invited down to the House of Commons to play for a competition. I ended up on the balcony pissed out of my head on free HoC wine singing ‘Build a bonfire, Build a bonfire, put the Tories at the top. Put the Lib Dems in the middle and we’ll burn the f***ing lot’. Later the bass player called the MP a c**t. We never did receive our prize.
What’s next?
Single lined up for May 2017 called ‘Outside The Wheel’. It’s QOTSA/Savages meets Phantom of the Opera. Recording again in March. No plans for an album as who buys them at this level?
Live4ever:
Defiant in its abrasive, power-chord driven riff backing baritone vocals, Nathan Till’s alter-ego Ghost Of Social Networks embraces the sombre yet captivating lyrical intonation of The National on new single No Going Back.
Producer Gavin Monaghan’s work with Editors gives the song a neo-post punk sleek befitting of Till’s memorable lyrical quips of ‘genocidal love’ and ultimate depiction of modern romance played out to a fabricated social media landscape, its poignancy only heightened in the accompanying home video footage.
Heavily influenced by the convergence in sound of both classic and new wave acts, think of Joy Division’s achingly arresting takes on the gloomier aspects of life meeting White Lies’ soaring, synth-led choruses and you will find out why Steve Lamacq has already penned GOSN for success.
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