Fitzsimon And Brogan: Channeling The Beatles To Make “Pure Pop For Now People”

Neil Fitzsimon, the songwriter, and Bee Brogan, the vocalist, formerly of the band Pretty Blue Gun, have gone on to form a songwriting/production partnership that has led to placement of their songs in Film and TV. They have also written a musical, Jack Dagger, which was showcased at the Greenwich Theatre, London for the Musical Futures Award. It was also showcased at the Bridewell and the Royal College of Music in London. They have also just had a song placed in a USA Sci–Fi Feature film.  The duo recently had a track reach number 3 on a French national download chart.  Their track, “This Is Love” earned the duo Semi-Finalist status in the Eurovision Contest.

Their latest album release, “Big Blue World” contains the Top 20 Beat100 lyric video for the title track.  The duo took time out from their busy recording schedule for this exclusive interview:

IPM: Hey Bee and Neil!  Thanks for taking the time out for this interview.  So, tell us about the music scene in London?

FaB: It’s very competitive and perhaps the toughest place to make a name in the UK. You can see any type of genre, any type of band every night of the week if you wanted to.

IPM: Who are you listening to these days?

FaB: We are thoroughly disenchanted with the current music scene and have been for some time. It seems now that the bands who write melodic guitar pop are the outsiders and the charts of full of generic, cardboard cut-outs.

IPM: If you could tour with one artist, opening shows, whom would that be?

FaB: Elvis Costello – although that would be a very tough gig, opening for him.

IPM: Why is “Big Blue World” an important music release?  Why should new listeners give it a chance?

FaB: Because we have tried to write an album full of quality songs with, we hope, no fillers. It’s been a long time since there was a band around that could achieve that.

IPM: If you could perform in your dream venue, where would that be, and why?

FaB: The original Cavern Club would be great, but unfortunately, the original was demolished years ago. But they have built an exact replica further down that street in Liverpool.

IPM: Your favorite song on your album is?  Why is that?

FaB: We’d have to say two as we can’t make our minds up between them. They’re, Big Blue World and Girl in a Gilded Cage. The single, Big Blue World has already been released from the album of the same name and it is to be followed by Girl in a Gilded Cage.

IPM: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

FaB: We will always be involved in music – it’s not a choice for us, it’s a way of life.

IPM: Where do you draw inspiration from?

FaB: The Beatles obviously. Other people that we admire and respect are, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Webb, Jacques Brel and Morrissey.

IPM: Who is your dream collaboration? and why?

FaB: Lennon and McCartney, if only… They are the benchmark to which every musician must try to aspire.

IPM: Where do you discover new music?

FaB: Mainly from watching films now. We have given up on commercial radio.

IPM: Any final thoughts, shout outs, lessons for our readers?

FaB: If anyone out there is planning to get into the music business, be prepared to take knock-backs, because they are the norm. You endeavour and battle against a lot of people who would tell you that you are wrong. You must have total belief in yourself and be determined to be proved right.

To find out more about Fitzsimon and Brogan, please visit http://www.fitzsimonandbrogan.com.

https://open.spotify.com/album/0mNkbqGb6iy28kzpZbcCg0