Manchester quartet MDNGHT has had quite the year, releasing material that’s received critical acclaim, national radio play while picking up a strong network of fans.
Ahead of their Academy 3 show – the same night as Prince plays Manchester – singer Jordan talked to MM about the big labels, the album and their Manchester music influences.
After their EP ‘Into the Night’ dropped, it became Radio 1 Xtra’s track of the week.
The soulful, energetic house beats and Jordan’s ethereal falsetto vocals seduced major record labels who tried to snap them up.
However the lads chose to work with Manchester based indie label MUK.
Discussing their decision, Jordan said: “The main reason we chose MUK was down to creative control, sometimes with large record labels you can forced into collaborate with producers that can really alter your sound.”
He continued: “We just didn’t want to be robbed of our identity, and MUK allowed us to make the music we wanted to, and in our home town, which is incredible.”
When asked about what inspires their sound, which the boys describe as ‘disco-tinged house’, Jordan said: “We have definitely been influenced by the Manchester Music scene, the sounds we heard at Sankeys, tracks from the Hacienda era and tunes also in Ibiza.
“Although we have our own sound, the Mancunian greats that have gone before us have definitely had an influence on what we’ve put out.”
The boys have been writing together and working on their album for the last two years. The last finishing touches are currently being made and they hope to release it later this year.
“We are waiting to drop the album this summer as we think it has a real dancey, summery feel.
“We’ve been stuck in the studio 24/7 perfecting it, and we can’t wait to let people hear it, rather than being stuck in our little creative bubble.”
A lot has happened since the band last played the intimate Academy 3 venue and they are pumped.
Jordan said: “We are so excited, over the last year we’ve had such great feedback from our home town. There’s a real fan base behind us, and we’re so grateful for it.”
“We want to perform music that makes people happy, that’s gets people dancing.
“We play our set all the way through without any breaks, which allows people to get lost in the music, when they leave we want them to feel like they’ve just left a big party.“
MDNGHT play February 22 at Academy 3. Tickets can be bought here.
