TAKE 5 WITH THE HERRON BROTHERS — HOSTED BY SOPHIE MARTIN, NEWHD RADIO
Take 5 on NEWHD Radio continues to spotlight artists whose creativity and passion shine as brightly as their purpose. Hosted by Sophie Martin, this week’s conversation features Paul and Stephen Herron, the dynamic UK duo known as The Herron Brothers. Their brand of melodic indie-pop blends warmth, humor, and insight, making them one of Britain’s most engaging independent acts.
THE STORY BEHIND “SHUT UP”
Their latest single, “Shut Up,” released on October 17, offers a mix of wit and commentary that only brothers could pull off.
“It’s called Shut Up, which is great because when people ask about the song, we can just say ‘shut up,’” jokes Stephen.
While lighthearted in title, the song’s inspiration comes from sharper social observations — even touching on politics. “It actually came from thinking about your president,” Paul admits with a grin. “He was the inspiration for it.”
The track grew organically from Stephen’s musical ideas and Paul’s lyrical finishing touches. “We collaborate all the time — sometimes fifty-fifty, sometimes ninety-five-five,” Stephen says. “But this one just came together quickly.”
BROTHERS IN BALANCE
Sibling dynamics in bands can be complicated, but for The Herron Brothers, it’s a strength.
“Our voices work well together, and we got the arguing out of our systems years ago,” Paul laughs. “It keeps us close — we have to talk to each other all the time, which is great.”
They credit their shared sense of humor and creative trust for keeping the music flowing. Where many bands splinter under pressure, the Herrons thrive on brotherly banter and mutual respect.
CREATIVE FREEDOM AND COLLABORATION
When it comes to writing, there are no strict roles.
“Whoever comes up with the initial idea usually steers the song,” Stephen explains. “There are no rules — if I want to write something on harpsichord, or Paul wants to do a twelve-minute drum-and-bass epic, we just go for it.”
Their process is built on spontaneity, letting ideas take shape naturally. “We fill in the bits the other might miss,” Paul adds. “That’s what makes it fun.”
A PIVOTAL TURNING POINT
Before forming The Herron Brothers as a duo, they played in a five-piece band — an experience that ultimately shaped their identity.
“When you’re trying to please five people in a studio, it gets hard,” Stephen says. “When that band ended, it was actually freeing. We could focus on what mattered.”
Paul agrees: “It’s a lot easier to manage a two-person democracy than a five-person one with clashing tastes.”
That change gave them creative control, and their music became leaner, more focused, and more authentically “them.”
ON STAGE AND IN THE MOMENT
Live shows are where their humor and chemistry shine brightest.
“For me, it’s the bits in between songs,” Paul admits. “I love the awkwardness. Most bands don’t talk much — we talk too much, probably. Sometimes we nearly talk more than we sing!”
It’s that irreverent charm — equal parts comedy and craft — that wins over audiences across the UK.
INFLUENCES OLD AND NEW
The Herron Brothers’ sound pulls from decades of songwriting greats.
“Our influences aren’t a mystery,” says Paul. “Paul Simon, The Beatles, Crowded House, R.E.M., all huge for us.”
Stephen adds, “We love harmonies, and we love clever songwriting. I also listen to Wilco, The Shins, and Vampire Weekend. The back end of Britpop — Blur, Oasis — definitely shaped how we write.”
They may not chase trends, but their influences show a deep respect for melody, meaning, and musical longevity.
EVOLUTION WITHOUT RULES
Asked how they’ve evolved, Stephen laughs: “We haven’t, really.”
Paul explains further: “We never had any rules from the start. Every release can go anywhere — one track might have jazz bits, another reggae grooves, another pure indie rock. The only constant is harmony.”
The brothers’ refusal to conform keeps their music unpredictable, honest, and refreshingly self-aware.
STAYING TRUE IN A CHANGING INDUSTRY
In a digital world that rewards constant social media engagement, The Herron Brothers admit they’re “terrible” at it.
“We grew up with the birth of Facebook,” Paul says. “It was exciting at first, but now it feels like something you have to do. And as soon as we’re told we have to, we don’t want to.”
Stephen agrees: “We’re not great at playing the game. We’d rather focus on the music than chase algorithms.”
Their independent spirit extends to the business side. “We’ve had managers try to get us to cover popular songs for exposure,” Paul recalls. “We did it once. It was awful. We’ll never do that again.”
For them, integrity means creating songs they’d want to hear — not what others expect.
LOOKING AHEAD
The brothers’ goal isn’t fame — it’s sustainability.
“We just want to be self-sufficient,” Stephen says. “Every independent artist walks a tightrope — balancing creativity and finances.”
Paul adds with a smile, “Fans can help by checking out our website and buying the vinyl and CDs we’ve got stacked in boxes. Every sale gets us closer to the studio.”
It’s that candid honesty — part humor, part truth — that makes The Herron Brothers such a refreshing presence in today’s music scene.
