Modern Hinterland is based around songwriter and vocalist Chris Hornsby, who, after working solo on previous releases, corralled together a group of like-minded troubadours to create the Americana-tinged ‘The Hoppings’as their debut to the world.

As part of preparing for the record, Hornsby listened to 365 albums over 365 days in an attempt to explore what makes a great Album. The result of that process is ‘The Hoppings’, which at an understated 10 songs and 32 minutes, is short, but packed with his inspired take on of modern life. There’s no doubting Hornsby’s knack for telling a good story (or his approach to efficiency).

The result is an energetic, optimistic first record of packed with snapshots and memories, taking the nostalgic sound of wild Americana and soups it up with modern flourishes that are almost indie-pop.

“When I was younger I used to go to York quite often as it was only an hour or two’s drive away, and I’ve since associated it with getting away from it all, escaping whatever was going on in my life. The song is partly a love letter to York and partly just about that need to escape somewhere for a while… However, I couldn’t resist sticking in a reference to a ridiculous sign I saw there once  – “That sweet shop, down the twisted listing lane, with the ill-judged fudge sign”. In a touristy shop that was selling local sweets, one of the signs for sssorted fudge had been shortened…to Ass. Fudge.” on ‘York’.

The album was inspired by Hornsby’s growing up in the hills and valleys outside of Newcastle and travelling the length and breadth of the UK. With songs such as ‘York’, ‘The Girl Just South of Hackney’, and ‘Lowland Daughter’, this book of songs brings to mind the summer passage of the famous fairground of its title.

Stream ‘The Hoppings’ here:

Modern Hinterland release their debut album, ‘The Hoppings’, on 21 September via Label Fandango: pre-order | listen on Spotify.