John Douglass– songs, arrangements, production, vocals, guitar & keys
Steve Hogg – lead and backing vocals
plus;
Mark Aubrey – engineer, co-producer, sampling
Paul Wigens – drums, percussion
Eddie John – drums
Lisa Cherian – percussion
Joe Allen – bass
Jim Barr – bass
Sean Snook – guitar, lap-steel guitar, ukulele
Holly Carter – pedal steel, guitar
Jerry Crozier-Cole – guitar, mandolin, flute
Manuel Soares – portuguese guitar
Pete Judge – trumpet, flugelhorn
Jake McMurchie – sax
Ben Waghorn – clarinet, bass clarinet
Paul Quinn – piano, keys
Richard Price – keys
Stew Jackson – pedal steel
Simon Cook MBE – voice-over
Fiona Barrow – strings
Sorrelli Strings – strings
Sally Larkin – vocals
Anna Lisa Price – vocals
Sophia Kisielewska – vocals
Michaela Fedeczko – vocals
Ruth Ayika Ankrah – vocals
Photos by Phil Nicholls and Sophie Purnell
Recordings
NEW ALBUM ‘THE PERFECT VIEW’ OUT IN OCTOBER 2026
September Song release their third album, ‘The Perfect View’ in October 2026, following on from their highly acclaimed 2022 album ‘Two Miles Out’. The new album will be launched at The Hen and Chicken, Bristol on Sunday afternoon, October 18th. They will be performing stripped back versions from the album followed by a full album playback. Tickets on sale now!
September Song are a Bristol based alternative pop duo, featuring songwriter/arranger/producer John Douglass and singer Steve Hogg, along with co-producer/engineer Mark Aubrey and a stellar cast of musicians.
John’s songwriting and arrangements feel at once nostalgic and expansive creating a seamless blend of melodic and lyric-driven songs which are beautifully complemented by Steve’s evocative and expressive lead vocals. With a retro-sophisticated feel and approach, comparisons have been made to the likes of Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Harry Nilsson and Brian Wilson.
Fans of sophisticated, narrative-driven pop with a “cult following” appeal will find much to love in their work.
To pre order the new album contact us or via Buy Page
Full Discography
- The Arrogance of Time – 2017
- Two Miles Out – 2022
- The Perfect View – 2026
Digital download via Amazon or Apple or Bandcamp
John talks about the September Song albums
The first album ‘The Arrogance of Time’ was largely a personal reflection on the ‘seven ages of man’ and the big life events that most of us encounter at some stage in our lives. ‘Two Miles Out’, started off reflecting more on global events, but ended up introspective once again. ‘The Perfect View’ continues along the same pattern with the deeply personal intertwined with the wider world. It’s full of frustration and anger at humanity’s inability to look after our ‘beautiful world’ whilst always trying to remain optimistic.
Maybe the best way to solve the world’s problems is to start at home, ‘physician heal thyself’? As a songwriter I used to make myself crazy in order to write, now I keep myself sane (ish) by writing.
I remember my very first recording session, when I was around sixteen or seventeen, at Right Track, Bristol, with Will Henshall (later of London Beat), we recorded two songs and I left with a cassette copy which I listened to non-stop that night, I don’t think I slept a wink. I knew then that’s what I wanted to do with my life. I still get the same thrill writing songs and recording them, nothing else comes close.
The first music that really seduced me was the glamorous sounds of T.Rex with ‘Hot Love’ and ‘Get it On’. I have been hooked by the three-chord riff ever since. I also hung out with my older brother and absorbed the various rock sounds of The Rolling Stones, The Faces, Jimi Hendrix and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
I also loved 70’s pop and was amazed later to find out so much of it had been written by two men from my hometown of Bristol, Cook & Greenaway. Then came the late 70’s Rockabilly Revival and I discovered music way back to the 1950’s and went to some dodgy dives to catch The Flying Saucers. Later on, I snuck into the ‘Dug Out’ to get some heavy bass sounds too. I also loved the energy and DIY ethos of punk and was inspired to start my first group.
As I matured (slowly), I borrowed some chords from the Mickey Baker Jazz Guitar book and then discovered the more sophisticated writing of artists such as Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson and Paul Simon. I have always liked albums with classic songs and throwaway tunes like Paul McCartney’s solo album ‘Ram’ and despite the eclectic nature of the musical influences, I hope these albums make sense as a whole, not just a collection of individual tracks.
A crucial part of the September Song jigsaw is Steve’s ability to interpret the lyrics and make them his own and it’s a testament to our forty-year musical partnership. I am also indebted to the wonderful musicians who follow my sketchy arrangements and add their own flavourings. We are aided and abetted by our very own Phill Brown, Mark Aubrey whose passion for engineering and production is only surpassed by his love of cinnamon buns!
‘If you have ever wondered what the inside of my head sounds like then these albums will give you a clue! Musically it’s the sound of my music collection being digested, shaken and stirred in my head then served out on a spanking new spinning plate. As Igor Stravinsky allegedly said, ‘A good composer does not imitate; he steals,’!
New York City Getaway
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