My First Time - 'Wind Up Merchant'
My First Time has come crashing in with their debut single “Wind Up Merchant” via Submarine Cat Records.
Although they have kept a low profile, the Bristol indie quartet have had their demos shared on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music. Formed by their university studies, My First Time band members consist of Isaac Stroud-Allen on lead vocals and guitar, Jordanna Fonsey on drums, James Mellen on guitar and vocals, and last but not least, Niamh Jones on bass and vocals. Citing their influences as Blur, Marina And The Diamonds, and The Streets, My First Time have a rough and rowdy nature to them. There’s an angsty, driving force behind their music, as heard in Stroud-Allen and Mellen’s loud vocals and Fonsey’s battering drums.
“Wind Up Merchant” was inspired by a ‘Jack the Lad’ stereotype – the kind of person who intends to provoke anyone who comes his way, particularly toward progressive youth like these very band members. “He’ll make fun of ya/Cause his own life is mediocre” and “Please Uncle Sam/I’ve had enough/Of your backward views” are fitting lyrics to describe the anger against this type of grumpy character. The band say: “It’s the sort of track you could blast to drown out the ramblings of your annoying sibling or super-conservative relative. (Warmth, 2023)” Lyrics like “Pissing people off is the way I express” exemplify this empowering notion of sticking it to the man. As the song goes on, the band find themselves in the centre of the chaos: “Narcissistic views under your skin/Try to take it off but they win/It’s in your blood.” They’re spinning out of control, unable to be repressed by older, close-minded generations anymore; a powerful statement to say to the world how wound up they are. There are more than a few instances of Mellen’s guitar and Jones’ bass winding up and out. The concept of a ‘wind up merchant’ is the perfect phrase for clashing generational differences; the youth wanting to rebel, the older folks wanting to put them down. In a way, both parties could be a ‘wind up merchant.’ My First Time said, “We wanted the song to be ‘tongue in cheek’ - an anti wind-up anthem.” So, there’s no time to put aside differences; the time to fight against the status quo is now!
The kids of today are making their stand, and they want to be heard with the power found in their instruments and voices.
Words by Sydney Kaster
