NTNL RAIL’s recent single ‘Heart Still Bleeds’ is out now

Heart Still Bleeds – Release Date: 21st April 2023

BAND MEMBERS

Lucas Craxford-Kearley (Cas) – Lead Vocals
Will Banks – Lead Guitar
Luke Bradford – Rhythm Guitar
Elliot Kelly – Drums
Alex Kirby – Bass 

5-Piece Sheffield based band NTNL RAIL attempt to change their sound from earlier singles ‘Summer Sky’ and ‘Spacey TV’ with their new track ‘Heart Still Bleeds’ which is out now.

Showing their versatility through three singles is no mean feat, and the young band who formed back in 2021 are already showing serious promise. With indie rock and post-punk influences, their sound still feels slightly erratic at times though, and their recent single epitomises this. The lead guitar and verses sound very much indie, yet the chorus is filled with far more aggression, especially from frontman Cas.

For a young band still trying to find their feet, I can’t criticise NTNL RAIL much. They are rough around the edges and haven’t quite found their niche just yet. However, some fine tuning here and there and I think they could begin to grow rapidly.

GET TO KNOW NTNL RAIL

1. How do you feel about your first recording, looking back at it now?
   • Will – It’s not something i really look back on and enjoy hahahah, we’ve moved our sound on a lot since, but at the time I don’t think we really knew how else to write a song
   • Luke – I’m a lot happier with the sound we have established now I think, its more like what we actually listen to
   • Cas – We rushed into it, at the time we were happy with it I suppose
2. Name one artist you wish you could have a cuppa tea with?
   • Will – Johnny Marr, we should have asked him if he fancied coming back to ours for a brew when we met him
   • Luke – Paul McCartney, he just seems so cool and friendly
   • Cas – Good question, Paul Heaton. He’d be a great chat for 30 minutes and we could talk about anything
3. What’s the ambition driving the band?
   • Will – Playing gigs and recording songs with your mates is so much fun, that’s genuinely it for me
   • Luke – To make sounds I would like to listen to I think, that’s the best thing about it
   • Cas – I’ve always wanted to be in a band ever since I was young, and its as fun as I thought it’d be
4. Do you remember the first song you fell in love with?
   • Will – Sorry to go all indie twitter on you but probably ‘There is a Light That Never Goes Out’. I just remember hearing it when I was young and being blown away by it. Then that brought me onto The Smiths and then you never look back after that
   • Luke – ‘Hey Joe’ by Jimi Hendrix. I got it on record for Christmas and when I put it on I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The last solo is stunning
   • Cas – ‘Country House’ by Blur. My dad would always put it on when we were on holiday and it brings back great memories
5. Favourite takeout?
   • Will – We argue about this at least 3 times a week. Chinese for me, just something about it. Never fails to hit the spot
   • Luke – Indian
   • Cas – Indian and its not even close
6. How would you describe your sound in 3 words?
   • Will – Shouty messy soundwaves
   • Luke – Sort of there
   • Cas – Could be better
7. What was the first gig you ever went to?
   • Will – Liam Gallagher at Nottingham Arena. Oasis were the first band I really got into so I loved it
   • Luke – Blink 182 at Manchester Arena
   • Cas – Noah and The Whale at O2 Academy, I loved it honestly
8. What was the best gig you’ve been to?
   • Will – I think about this everyday. In terms of best gig for the music, probably Fontaines DC @ Rock City in 2020, absolutely blew me away
   • Luke – Sam Fender @ Tramlines, one of the best artists around at the minute for me
   • Cas – Taylor Hawkins Tribute gig, me and my gird were in hospitality and it was the best day of my life. Seeing a Beatle live was so special
9. If you could pass on one piece of advice to other upcoming bands, what would it be?
   • Will – Don’t rush releasing your first single, we did that and regretted it. Just take your time with it, theres no rush
   • Luke – Just try and learn your sound and what you want to create early on
   • Cas – Practice a fuck ton and gig loads. One gig is worth 10 practice sessions
10. Finally, who are you and why should we listen to you?
    • Will – You probably shouldn’t listen to us. No in all honesty, were just a few mates trying to play music we enjoy for other people to enjoy. Plus I’d like to think we’re quite sound
    • Luke – We have some good songs written and I think were growing every time we play together
    • Cas – Were constantly trying to improve and better ourselves. We love challenging ourselves

You can stream NTNl Rail ‘Heart Still Bleeds’ below