Ahead of this year’s M-Fest on Saturday, 14th July, The Journal has spoken to the artists performing on the day, allowing them to introduce themselves in their own words. With some familiar faces in their ranks, local rock band, Abstract Typography, will be performing in Midsomer Norton for the first time with their new project.

Midsomer Norton resident, Sydney Bull, is no stranger to the lorry stage that has mounted the High Street over the last two years, having performed with Confectionery in 2016 and Ninotcka in 2017. This year, Syd looks to make it a hat-trick, and will be gracing the stage once more with slacker-rock band, Abstract Typography.

The band features Syd’s cousin (and Editorial Assistant of The Journal), Stan Bull, and local musicians, Connor Godfrey, Matthew Day and Matthew Teal. Keen-eyed readers will have also noticed that Syd shares a surname with Jon Bull, keyboardist of The Publicans, who is Syd’s father.

At 23-years-old, Syd has been performing live music for almost half of his life, and has played innumerable gigs in the local area and further afield to Bath, Bristol, Belfast, London and even Glastonbury Festival.

Reflecting on the genesis of his passion, Syd said it was “possibly [due to] an early childhood memory of hearing ‘It’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll’ by The Rolling Stones.”

He added: “What followed was a decade of rock nutrition, succeeded by a decade of guitar experimentation and discovery, with some piano lessons thrown in for good measure. The search for the new sound continues...

“My first proper gig would have to be in X-Ray Fish at The Wunderbar for Midsomer Norton Mardi Gras (possibly 2008?). A glorious debut appearance as we lit up the High Street with angular techno. A well reviewed and well documented event to my memory.”

Syd also fondly recalled many other local bands who inspired him throughout the years, including: Evacuees, Blackkjack, Doctor Nut, Divine Intervention, The Greasy Slicks, Ulysses, The Inbredz, The Craic Heads, Gardna, The Westfield Mining Disaster, The Haywains and Cromwellian Uncle.

“If we’re talking local-local, thereby ruling out Massive Attack – more recently, shouts to Farebrother, GUTS and Ishmael Ensemble. Apparently, I would have loved Bug and Lux back in the day too… alas.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve experienced many lows whilst performing – my top ten lows have all happened off-stage. I’ve played many sparsely-populated local sets – Cafe 3:16, a thing on the back of a truck at the Cricket Club, Steggfest – but they’re some of the fondest in memory.

“A definite local high would be a Battle of the Bands heat in Wedmore, where we faced prominent technical difficulties. Stan’s keyboard – sorry to stitch you up, Stan – started playing its own backing beat very loudly and very out-of-time – you know, the sort of Yamaha all-electronic polyphonic retro drum machine beats. We still won the round though!”

Syd also shared his opinion on the current state of the Norton Radstock music scene: “Who doesn’t love a covers band? But also, who’s going to write their sets for the next century?

“Songwriting and production should be an option for any creative mind, and the creative minds of Midsomer Norton have always had the capacity for greatness. I think the reduction of small venues in the local area has deeply cut the flow of local expression. If tomorrow’s headlining pioneers are to be our townsfolk, the local venue platforms of yesterday must be re-forged.”

Commenting on M-Fest, Syd said: “I have attended previously as both a performer and an audience member, and I would attend as both again. The team behind the scenes have always been friendly, and there is good sound, on-stage and off. And what the backstage area lacks in walls, it makes up for in truck-side revelry.”

Speaking of his upcoming afternoon set with Abstract Typography, Syd wryly suggested: “You’ll find shredding, riffing, thrashing, power slides, power chords, power cuts, 45-minute drum solos, stage invasions, pyros,

fireworks, lightning, backing-dancers, a gateway to the fourth dimension, a door inside a door and inside that, you’ll probably find yourself too...”

M-Fest takes place in the High Street, Midsomer Norton on Saturday, 14th July. The event is free and family-friendly, with live music taking place between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m.