With debut EP Home Truths on the way, which will be celebrated with a launch show at Peggy's Skylight, we chat all things Beat The Streets with Alfie Sharp...
Reflecting on 2023, how was the year for you? What were the highlights?
It was good, I think it’s one of my best years so far, just in terms of life as well. I got to release some music, I did some really good gigs, especially Hockley Hustle with the orchestra.
The first major event on the Nottingham calendar is Beat The Streets which you are performing at. What have you got planned for your set there?
I’ve got a new keys player who has joined us which is cool. I’m excited to do something again in my hometown. Events like Beat The Streets and Hockley Hustle are my favourites - bringing everybody together, I love it. I get to see all my mates perform, especially with what my EP is about – home. The cause is raising money for Framework, it’s special.
Your debut EP Home Truths is out in March, should fans expect to hear these songs live?
I’ll be playing the EP, yeah - I’m not playing one of the songs but I will be playing three of the singles!
Your recent single Wasted has a very touching story behind it. Could you tell us about it?
Wasted is my love letter to Nottingham. I’d be nothing without the people I grew up around. These songs wouldn’t have been written without them, it’s for Nottingham. It was written off the back of a failed relationship but it became so much more than that when I recorded the final version.
What memories do you have of Beat The Streets in previous years?
I’m playing the same stage this year that I did in 2020, Rock City – just before we went into lockdown. That was one of my first proper gigs where people turned up to see me.
Which other artists are you excited to see perform on the day?
I’m excited just to float around and see everyone. A lot of my friends will be there so it’s just about getting together! I want to see everybody. It’s such a community type of thing. And find new people I haven’t seen before, too.
What themes appear elsewhere on the EP? What are the other songs about?
A lot of them are letters to myself. They all came out in a particular order, I won’t give away too much yet, but they’re all truths to myself, telling myself my own truths.
You’ve got a show coming up in March at Peggy’s Skylight to launch the EP. How are you feeling ahead of that one, and what made you choose Peggy’s as the venue?
I’ve always loved Peggy’s for going to shows, I’ve seen some of my favourite bands there. I wanted the venue to look like a living room, intimate, to reflect my grandma’s living room where I grew up writing songs. There will be special guests too but I haven’t announced them yet – I will be doing soon!
Do you have anything else coming up in 2024 that you want to shout about?
Basically just the EP, the show, there are a few special announcements I can’t talk about yet but I’m excited for everyone to see what’s happening!
You can buy tickets for Beat the Streets in support of Framework here
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