UK/Irish trio New Rules have released their new single, Not Alone. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
Last month, New Rules wrapped up a run of UK and European headline tour dates and recorded a BBC Radio 1 session at London’s prestigious Maida Vale Studios earlier this year. They are currently working on new music in London.
The London-based trio of Alec McGarry, Nathan Lambert, and Ryan Meaney initially met online, bonding over similar backgrounds playing music on street corners, uploading covers online, and penning original material.
They have toured with Julia Michaels, Little Mix, and Picture This, and following the viral success of their songs Pasta and Emily, they were signed by Elektra Records in 2021.
"Not Alone is a song for our fans," the band say. "We often get messages telling us that our band feels like a safe space for them to feel part of something and so this song is a message from us to them.
"We're so lucky to have such an amazing, warm community of people supporting us and we hope this song feels like a hug to anyone who needs to hear it."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Nathan: I’m a cat guy, I was born in Belgium, I can’t whistle.
Alec: My family is from New York and Cyprus. I had seven rescue dogs growing up. I dropped out of school to be in New Rules.
Ryan: I’m scared of mice. I’m Irish American. I would’ve been a pro footballer if I didn’t do my knee.
How would you describe your music?
N: Three singer songwriters with acoustic guitars.
A: Kinda feel good, kinda feel bad.
R: Songs you cry in the club to.
Who are your musical inspirations?
N: Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles, Joni Mitchell.
A: I draw from a lot of folk/alternative artists who I loved growing up. Namely, Ben Howard, Bon Iver. My appreciation for pop music came from finding albums like Parachutes (Coldplay) and + (Ed Sheeran) and following them as artists through the years.
R: John Mayer, Paolo Nutini, Joni Mitchell
What was the first gig you ever went to?
N: My dad took me to see Paul McCartney when I was a kid. We went to Liverpool for it. I didn’t stop talking about it for at least a year afterwards!
A: I was a late bloomer when it came to going to gigs. My first real gig was The Wombats at Alexandra Palace - was a whopper.
R: Westlife in The Point with my mam.
What was the first record you ever bought?
N: The Kooks - Inside In/Inside Out.
A: I was nine and went and bought Meteora and Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park (two for one sale in HMV. Those were the days).
R: The Fratellis - Costello Music.
What’s your favourite song right now?
N: Just found this amazing song called Hospital by Madison Cunningham.
A: Ribbons - Ryan Beatty.
R: Long Long Time - Linda Ronstadt.
Favourite lyric of all time?
N: Probably something by Lou Reed
A: "The smell of her hair reminds me of your feet" -
R: "When you’ve got nothing, you’ve got nothing to lose" - Bob Dylan.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
N: Too hard - maybe Malibu by Miley Cyrus.
A: She Treats Me Well - Ben Howard.
R: One of ours so I get royalties.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Search New Rules when on any platform you use. We’re on all of it!
