{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67a08db7f0aed667c5ef95bb/6ac8b37ea2b35d0f8718ee7b?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Nick Lote on Midland Railway, Obsessive Influences, and Turning Odd Obsessions Into Songs","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/67a08db7f0aed667c5ef95bb/1791539555574-382d2fc5-f549-4266-bfdd-1f3cc210f0aa.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>What do serial killers, football management games, Warhammer, and power-pop guitar have in common? They all find their way into the songs of Nick Lote, singer and guitarist for Midland Railway.In this episode of <em>Sounds Like Us</em>, host Martin Wapshott talks with Nick about the band’s musical journey: from early influences and chaotic first gigs to signing with Golden Robot Records, releasing a long-awaited debut album, and finding new creative freedom. Along the way, Nick shares the stories behind songs including “She Loves Ted Bundy,” “All-day Epic Warhammer,” and “Unwavering Optimism”—and explains how personal details, dark humour, and everyday passions can become memorable songwriting.The conversation also gets into the realities of life in an independent band: years of evolving material, changing drummers, the challenge of balancing old songs with new ones, and the special moment when a crowd starts singing your lyrics back to you.</p><p><br></p><h3>In this episode:</h3><ul><li>Growing up in Birmingham with classical music at home, then discovering punk, pop punk, and Britpop through friends.</li><li>Early gigs, Reading Festival, and seeing Idlewild in Wolverhampton inspire Nick to want to play in a band.</li><li>Why the name combines railway romance, a little train-nerd humour, and Nick’s connections to Birmingham and Manchester.</li><li>Why a record deal felt like recognition that years of songwriting and hard work had been worth it.</li><li>The surprising inspiration behind the song—and why it’s really about dating someone fascinated by serial killers.</li><li>How football management games, Pokémon, Warhammer, and other personal interests give the band’s lyrics their distinctive, whimsical edge.</li><li>Nick looks back on writing “The Power Game” and the long process of bringing Midland Railway’s early songs into recorded form.</li><li>The records he’d save from a burning building, including music by Weezer, Idlewild, Therapy?, Grandaddy, and Bright Eyes.</li><li>How songs can feel like a kind of therapy, carry memories, and help listeners feel less alone.</li><li>The stop-start challenge of drummer turnover, learning older songs, and making room for new material.</li><li>Nick remembers Midland Railway’s performance at Manchester Academy 2—and the difference great sound and lighting can make.</li><li>Why hearing a crowd sing one of the band’s songs back to them feels like a uniquely powerful connection.</li><li>Nick recommends artists and bands from the wider scene, including Tired Music, Midnight in November, The Dolly Shakespeare, TV Coma, and The Emi Tavern.</li><li>A new drummer, more songs, and the possibility of a second album.</li><li>Playing out with Midland Railway’s “Unwavering Optimism,” a reflective song that finds hope in difficult experiences.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong><u>GUEST LINKS:</u></strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>MIDLAND RAILWAY:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li><a href=\"https://linktr.ee/Midlandrailway?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&amp;ltsid=883ea3d1-5121-4a65-9298-476b847f60b3\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://linktr.ee/Midlandrailway?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&amp;ltsid=883ea3d1-5121-4a65-9298-476b847f60b3</a></li></ul><p><br></p><h4><strong>GOLDEN ROBOT RECORDS:</strong></h4><p><br></p><p><a href=\"https://goldenrobotrecords.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Golden Robot Records</a></p><p><br></p><h3><strong>The Sounds Like Us podcast</strong></h3><h3></h3><h3><strong>Like, Follow, Share, Subscribe to The Sounds Like Us podcast on: </strong></h3><p><br></p><ul><li>Spotify: <a href=\"https://open.spotify.com/show/3CPMua3yWb9Dl6hwp2WptN?si=ylunExSvSheb7AvTynM9wg&amp;utm_source=copy-link\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://open.spotify.com/show/3CPMua3yWb9Dl6hwp2WptN?si=ylunExSvSheb7AvTynM9wg&amp;utm_source=copy-link</a></li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li>LINKTREE: <a href=\"https://linktr.ee/Thesoundslikeuspodcast?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&amp;ltsid=71abb5cb-675b-4a3b-ad3c-3e4de2cceb40\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://linktr.ee/Thesoundslikeuspodcast?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&amp;ltsid=71abb5cb-675b-4a3b-ad3c-3e4de2cceb40</a></li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li>Instagram: <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/soundslikeuspodcast?stkn=MWdoa3E4YXhhZ3RtMA%3D%3D&amp;utm_source=qr\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@soundslikeuspodcast</a></li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li> YouTube: <a href=\"https://youtube.com/@soundslikeuspod?si=Ze5nMkjibCrfV-1q\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@soundslikeuspod</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p>The Sounds Like Us podcast merch store is now LIVE. </p><p><br></p><p>Check out <a href=\"https://soundslikeus.myshopify.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://soundslikeus.myshopify.com/</a> with code ‘FIRSTPLAY1’ for <strong>15% off</strong> tote bags. More items coming soon!</p><h4></h4><h6></h6><h4><strong>Keywords:</strong></h4><p>Midland Railway, Nick Lote, The Sounds Like Us podcast, indie rock, indie punk pop, punk rock, pop punk, Britpop, alternative rock, songwriting, independent music, live music, guitar bands, music influences, debut album, record deal, Golden Robot Records, vinyl releases, serial killer song, Warhammer song, football management games, Birmingham music scene, Manchester music scene, band interview, music podcast, and Unwavering Optimism.</p>","author_name":"Martin Wapshott"}