News, Manchester
Wigan chart-toppers The Lathums have said working class musicians have a tougher time trying to succeed in the music industry as many have “nothing to fall back on”.
Frontman Alex Moore said growing up the band had few opportunities in music and the expectation was to “get your trades, get your qualifications, go and get an apprenticeship or a job”.
It comes after singer-songwriter Sam Fender from North Shields told the Sunday Times the industry was “rigged” against artists from working class backgrounds due to the costs involved.
“For us, if this fails, that’s it, we’ve got nothing to fall back on. I think it’s always been the same, money and position changes everything,” Moore said.
“We’re doing really well, and we’re making a life out of it, we’re making a career, but in terms of opportunity and stuff like that, of course its going to be easier for people in certain circles”, the lead singer said.
“The BRIT [Award] winners, quite a lot of them were private school kids, and obviously there’s the chance that you don’t succeed, you’re going to be OK and not going to be on dole or anything,” bassist Matty Murphy said.
The band, who have a huge local following in their hometown and recently released their third studio album Matter Does Not Define, can count a hen do and a 70th birthday party for one of the band’s grandparents as some of their first shows.
Five years later they took to the stage in front of thousands of fans in their hometown at the Robin Park Arena after producing two chart-topping albums.
“We progress all the time each album we do, you learn more and get more experience like any profession really – we’ve matured as people and as musicians,” Moore said.
‘Something real’
Away from music, the band have set up a fund with Wigan-based arts charity, Curious Minds, to help young people in the town get access the creative arts.
The partnership sees the band play charity shows with all the proceeds going towards creative activities and programmes for young people.
“It’s about putting instruments in kids hands and having a safe space to go,” Moore said.
He said: “It feels good to have something real, where you’re actually helping people rather than thinking ‘oh were sorted now, we can just do whatever we wanted’
“We don’t want to really be like that, want to put something good back into the world.
“I think everybody should be allowed equal opportunities – music is always an escape, especially for the working class.”
