Claire Dupree

What is your background and experience in the music industry?

I started my career in the music industry as a freelance journalist for The Crack, Clash Magazine, Culture Magazine, The Journal and Evening Chronicle. After a couple of years I became disillusioned working for other people so set up my own music magazine, NARC, in 2006. I’ve always had an obsession with music and wanted to run my own magazine since I was old enough to read them! NARC is a monthly music magazine for the North East, with a strong local aesthetic. NARC is the only magazine in the region dedicated 100% to music, particularly focussing on up and coming bands as well as artists visiting the region and featuring bands that we feel our audience needs to hear! I believe passionately that there’s so much great music in this region and it needs as much exposure as possible!

I’ve also been involved in working on PR campaigns for various local bands and have given coaching sessions on how to approach the press and on running a creative business in the North East.

What is your connection to the North East?

I moved up to the North East from my hometown of Reading in 2002. I became aware, pretty much straight away that the region was chock full of music – much unlike Reading at the time – and the obsession began…!

What are you listening to at this exact moment? What are your favourite records released in the last 5 years?

At the moment I’m enjoying the new albums by The All New Adventures of Us and The Lucksmiths. My favourite record of the last five years is probably Neon Bible by Arcade Fire, or The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me by Brand New or Love Songs For Patriots by American Music Club, Blackened Sky by Biffy Clyro, Wincing The Night Away by The Shins, Our Earthly Pleasures by Maximo Park…I could go on!

What are your favourite records released in the last 20 years?

It’s impossible to pick just one Queen album so I’d say all three Greatest Hits albums are among my most treasured possessions. I’m Your Man by Leonard Cohen also ranks pretty high.

Which projects are you currently working on outside of Generator?

NARC is always an ongoing concern, I’m also working on a compilation CD that will be given away with the 3rd birthday edition of NARC next year, and starting to think about the 3rd annual NARC. Festival in July next year.

What is your favourite live music venue in the North East?

I’ve seen so many fantastic bands at The Cluny that it’s always got a special place in my heart.

Favourite Live Music venue in the UK?

The Hammersmith Apollo is a fantastic venue – seeing Neil Young there earlier this year was amazing. Best live music show that you’ve ever seen (Please limit this to one, no cheating!)? It has to be Leonard Cohen at Glastonbury this year. I’ve always thought that every live gig I’ve been to has affected me in some way, but this gig was something else! I had goosebumps all over me and burst into tears halfway through the set, what more could you want?!

What was the defining moment that made you want to work in music?

When I was about ten, my Dad (bored of me pestering him) made me a mix-tape of music and sat me in the shed at the bottom of the garden – on that tape was music like I’d never heard before…Blondie, Meatloaf, Queen, Rod Stewart, The Kinks, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones…I think I wore that tape out and my Dad had to make me another one. Ever since that moment I knew that I wanted to work in the music industry – at that time, probably as a manager or record company exec. But as I found a passion for writing, I found my calling!

Best place to discover new artists?

I always think that my friends and colleagues are the best sources for new music! I’m in a rather privileged position as I get told about emerging artists before a lot of other people know about them, but I’m always learning new things from my friends. Music forums can be useful too (www.narcforum.com !!) and, while obviously NARC. is a treasured source of exciting new bands, I personally find that magazines are the last option, preferring the faster moving world of the web and niche radio shows.