You could picture the street on a lazy hazy summer
afternoon with the sunlight shining through the trees and be anywhere in
post war suburban Britain. From out of a garage in the back garden of a
1930's built semi-detached house. over the sound of lawnmowers and Ice
cream van melodies drifts the distant sound of 'Daystar'.
This places us in Stockport, Cheshire, North of England, only its not
summer
and its raining.
Outside there is a 1980's silver Daimler (which could be described as
parked but also could have been abandoned) and once ushered inside
through the house into the garage /studio the most striking aspect of
the room is the way the 1967 metallic gold and chrome scooter
spares blend harmoniously with the retro valve amplifiers, vintage
guitars and keyboards.
Here we discover 'Daystar' the first significant musical project to
emerge from the 'Stone soup' forum conceived by musicians David Cooper
and Phil Cuthbert.
On this particularly freezing December morning 'Stone Soup' are taking us with Photographer Andrew Moseley to meet 'Daystar' front man Simon Monaghan on the platform of Manchester Deansgate station.
'I am quite a sensitive soul really, a deep thinker'
Simon tells us, 'I was born from a rough area with quite a hard
upbringing and as soon as I was old enough I just wanted to make
something of myself and be accepted and liked by people. Music is
one of the many ways I can communicate my emotions to everyone so people
can see I am a decent guy.'
Airings of the four debut recordings of 'Daystar' at the studio earlier
indicate he well on the way to achieving all these goals, the sounds as
lovingly constructed as the vintage amps, scooters and Daimler. Simon
adds:
'I think this collection of songs is quite dreamy and gives you hope and
instantly relaxes you. I just hope people like what we have tried
to do with this and can connect with at least some parts of the lyrics
and maybe it fits some part of their lives.'
The photograph session is over, and although Simon has been up all night
working in a city centre night club he is not going to bed yet. He is
heading with his friends for an all day event at club in Leeds, a
regular Sunday jaunt. Like an insomniac character from one his own bands
tracks he shrugs and tells us 'It's just a way of life'. And heads
Yorkshire bound via the Lift at Deansgate station.
Anyone one wishing to contact 'Stone Soup' should email David Cooper:
cooperd@stonesouparts.co.uk