'It’s Hard To Push Back The Fear': Jay Watson Steps Into The Light As GUM

Chris Familton, Journalist

Chris Familton

I'm a music journalist, publicist and musician. I’ve been writing professionally about music for the last 15 years, with my music blogs Doubtful Sounds and Post To Wire (alt-country/folk) and as a freelancer with The Music (Drum Media) since 2009, Rhythms magazine, FasterLouder and more.

I've been playing bass guitar in bands since the early ‘90s in New Zealand (Thorazine Shuffle) and Australia (The Finalists, Charlie Horse). I currently also work as a music publicist, with artists including Bluebottle Kiss, Halfway, Restless Leg, Alannah Russack. 

Reviews / Album
Album Review: Roland Kay-Smith - As Cool As They Come
"Singing about panic attacks, refugees, religion and young, bearded, hipster girlfriend thieves."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Pixies, The Murlocs
"It was hard to complain on the back of 30-odd songs that demonstrated what a gloriously weird and obtuse band Pixies are."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Margaret Glaspy, Slow Dancer
"Glaspy reminded us of those early days when Jeff Buckley began to make waves on the back of his undeniable natural talent."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Big Thief, Gabriella Cohen, Body Type
"From a lonesome and spine-tingling solo to the single unadulterated scream she unleashed late in the set, she was in full control."
Features / Music
Why Margaret Glaspy Took The Time To Grow As A Songwriter Before Releasing Her Debut
"It'll be an evolution all the time for me I hope."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: My Disco, Marcus Whale, Hviske
"We were temporary visitors to their fascinating, hypnotic and shadowy world."
Reviews / Album
Album Review: Jesca Hoop - Memories Are Now
"Endlessly catchy and boldly creative."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Car Seat Headrest, Jarrow
"The band had made it and just in time."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Szun Waves
"It was at times fully immersive and hypnotic, at other times poignant and dreamlike or fiery and dynamic."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Dinosaur Jr, Luluc
"Your government wouldn't let Murph into the country so we brought Kyle."
Features / Music
The Bats On Sustaining The Title Of “Longest Continuous Line-Up Of Any Band In NZ"
"We're obviously very used to each other's company so we're aware of any weirdness that comes up and know how to deal with it."
Features / Music
The Music 2016 Writers' Poll: Chris Familton
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