DISPATCH ONE: JUNE 2026
June 2026
Greetings from the crossroads.
When I launched the website back in mid-April, I knew where the compass was pointing, but I didn't quite expect the wind to catch the sails this quickly. On May 29th, I walked out of full-time employment for the last time. Thirty-five years of spreadsheets, invoices, and month-end reporting—gone. I traded the traditional balance sheet for a blank page.
It’s been an epic, slightly dizzying start to this Second Act. Here is a look at what’s been happening in the rearview mirror, and where we are heading next.
Rewinding the Tape
I’ve been busy building the foundations. In just about sixty days, North of Here has grown into a living, breathing digital archive with over 75 articles. More importantly, a community is starting to form around the terrace and the turntable. I’ve watched the counter tick up to 1,100 followers on Instagram, 9,000 views on Facebook, and more than 4,500 direct visits to the site.
But the real joy isn't in the data; it’s in the connections. A few highlights that made the needle move recently:
Artist Connections: My retrospective pieces on Ian Prowse and Ginger Wildheart were picked up and shared by the artists themselves.
The Newspaper Spread: I had a double-page feature published in the Telegraph & Argus—a condensed version of JOINING THE DOTS: My Dad’s Musical Map. There is a loose promise of more print columns to come, so watch this space.
An Unplanned Detour: Out of nowhere, a music festival promoter from California reached out, asking for an advance review of LA artist Kyle Rising’s new single.
You might have also noticed a bit of a respray on the website itself. As I stepped away from the day job, it became blindingly obvious that my deepest passion lies in the rock-and-roll element of life. I’ve leaned into that grit. Don't worry—there will still be plenty of time for boots, travel gear, and open trails—but music is the heartbeat of this magazine.
Pressing Fast Forward
So, what does the next month look like with a completely open calendar?
The Scandi Triangle: Travel is dominating the next few weeks. I’m heading out to Scandinavia, so expect a heavy dose of photography, field notes, and dispatches from the road.
The Gig Archive: My concert calendar is beautifully crowded. I’ll be catching Alice Faye in Manchester, Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts in Leeds, and heading over to the Liverpool Philharmonic in mid-July for Ian Prowse’s massive homecoming show. Full, honest reviews will follow for all of them.
Coming Soon: I’ve got a detailed feature on Bradford’s own brilliant guitarist, Chantel McGregor, dropping shortly. I’m also dipping back into the childhood archives for a new memoir piece—this time, focusing on growing up football-mad in the West Riding.
It’s been an incredible beginning. The destination is still entirely unknown, but the direction is exactly where it needs to be. Thanks for staying on the journey with me.
Keep the turntable spinning.
Cheers,
Damien
