Chris Farren + Really Big Really Clever + H_ngm_n

Ask Chris Farren how he feels when he finishes an album and he won’t hesitate to respond with:

“Miserable. Miserable. Miserable.”

At least, that’s how it’s been over the years he’s been writing and recording solo. When the time came to make a record, Farren would be overtaken by an unparalleled anxiety, forcing him into the home studio he describes as “barely bigger than a closet,” where he agonized over the minute details of his work in progress. “Looking back on those records… I have no good memories of making them,” he admits. “It’s always been a lonely, doubt-ridden process.”

It’s surprising to hear this, knowing Farren’s reputation as a prolific songwriter who made his name recording with Jeff Rosenstock in Antarctigo Vespucci and before that, the Floridian punk band Fake Problems. In 2014, Farren started releasing music under his own name all while continuing his project alongside Rosenstock, and his first album, Like a Gift From God or Whatever endeared him to fans of the now-defunct Fake Problems and new listeners who had yet to experience the delight of a new Chris Farren song. Like a Gift From God or Whatever was followed by Can’t Die and Farren’s Polyvinyl debut, Born Hot. Last year, Farren wrote what he describes as a soundtrack to a spy film he invented that will never be committed to film. Inspired by Marvin Gaye’s soundtrack to Trouble Man, Death Don’t Wait (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) was a creative exercise, one Farren completed in mere months that stands apart from the extensive, at times arduous, process of making a Chris Farren album.

After releasing Born Hot in 2019, Farren knew he needed to make changes to the creative process, but he wasn’t yet sure how to. Enter Frankie Impastato, drummer of Macseal, who Farren met on tour and who became one of his dearest friends and confidants. He told Impastato about the misery, the barely-bigger-than-a-closet studio, the barren memory chest, and together they hatched a plan: they’d make Farren’s next album together. So, Farren got in touch with multi-instrumentalist/producer, and Jay Som mastermind, Melina Duterte (also, a Polyvinyl labelmate), who invited him by her studio where she’s collaborated with a steady stream of notable artists since first opening it in 2020. That’s where Doom Singer, his new full-length album due out August 4th, would be made. https://chrisfarren.bandcamp.com/album/where-u-are

+ Really Big Really Clever: Really Big Really Clever is the new project from Jared Tomkins and Jordan Lilford, formed in 2022 after the split of their previous band Gender Roles. After years of touring, writing & recording together, the pair wasted no time in writing and recording their to-be-titled debut album at London’s The Bookhouse Studio with producer Tom Hill. Expect chaotic fast-paced guitar bangers about doubt, uncertainty and self-help. 

+ Hngmn: H_ngm_n are an emo/punk two-piece from Brighton UK. Catchy hook-riddled sad songs over powerful drums, with a bunch of mathy time signatures thrown in for good measure.

Upcoming Love Thy Neighbour shows:
05092023 – Chris Farren. The Hope & Ruin
12092023 – VC Pines. The Hope & Ruin
13092023 – 2nd Grade. The Hope & Ruin
15092023 – Lorelle Meets The Obsolete. Green Door Store
15092023 – Samuel Organ. The Rosehill
19092023 – Trigger Discipline. The Prince Albert
21092023 – Nanocluster: Cubzoa & Immersion. The Rosehill
05102023 – Andy Irvine. Lewes Con Club
13102023 – Yowl. Green Door Store
13102023 – KEN Mode. The Hope & Ruin
14102023 – Honeyblood. The West Hill Hall
16102023 – ALASKALASKA. The Hope & Ruin
19102023 – Birds In A Row. Soup, Manchester
20102023 – Comfort. Green Door Store
21102023 – Birds In A Row. The Exchange, Bristol
21102023 – Cherym. The Prince Albert
22102023 – Birds In A Row. The Hope & Ruin, Brighton
23102023 – The Tubs. The Hope & Ruin
27102023 – FEWS. The Hope & Ruin
20102023 – An Evening With Kristin Hersh. Komedia
31102023 – Hilary Woods. The Rosehill
01112023 – An Evening with Tom Robinson. Lewes Con Club
02112023 – Personal Trainer. Lewes Con Club
05112023 – Steve Gunn. West Hill Hall.
08112023 – Silver Moth. Lewes Con Club
10112023 – Maruja. Green Door Store
11112023 – Soft Machine. Lewes Con Club
11112023 – Dark Horses. Green Door Store
11112023 – David Tattersall Group. West Hill Hall
12112023 – Martin Carthy. Lewes Con Club
15112023 – Autobahn. The Green Door Store
24112023 – bdrmm. Patterns
28112023 – Ozric Tentacles + Gong. Chalk
28112023 – The Rural Alberta Advantage. The Prince Albert
30112023 – Flat Party. The Prince Albert
01122023 – Mickey Callisto. The Folklore Rooms
02122023 – Don Letts. Lewes Con Club
09122023 – John Otway. Lewes Con Club
13122023 – Modern Nature. Lewes Con Club
18022024 – Michael Cera Palin. The Hope & Ruin
20022024 – Pip Blom. Chalk
23022024 – JOHN. Concorde 2
27022024 – Jordan Mackampa. Chalk
06032024 – Beans on Toast. Chalk
05042024 – The Korgis. Lewes Con Club
21042024 – Martin Turner ex Wishbone Ash. Lewes Con Club

The venue is only accessible via a flight of stairs however they can offer access via a back door at street level to the venue if mobility is an issue or you use a wheelchair. There are 3 large steps via this route so assistance to gain access and to exit the venue would be required. We can arrange this if you contact us in advance of a show. Please bear in mind that they can only allow access in between bands due to sound issues. Two disabled toilets upstairs, both gender neutral. If you require a carer at the venue, please contact us at info@lovethyneighbourmusic.co.uk for guestlist, with evidence such as a blue badge or access card. If strobe lighting is an issue or if standing for long periods of time is an issue, please contact us in advance. They can provide chairs in the venue although if the event is very busy this will impede visibility. If you wish to make use of a chair to view a gig, we advise arriving early to secure a position. They are happy to accommodate assistance dogs.

Chris Farren Brighton

Chris Farren Brighton