Belfast alt-rock band Cairo Station have released their debut single, Menace. We asked the band's guitarist Felix McAuley the BIG questions . . .

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"This song is our first release and a sign of what is to come from us as a band," the band say. "We can't wait for everyone to hear it and to join us on this journey."

Tell us three things about yourself . . .

My name is Felix McAuley. I play guitar in the band Cairo Station. I study creative writing at university.

How would you describe your music?

I’d describe it as a combination of Wolf Alice and Blur with some Radiohead added into the mix. We draw on a lot of 90s alternative rock and shoegaze influences to create our sound. Variety is crucial to us and our songs can go anywhere between light, jangly indie to noise rock

Who are your musical inspirations?

I’m heavily influenced by Graham Coxon from Blur, his guitar playing is great and he has a really distinct style that makes him easy to spot across all the projects that he has been a part of. Other big inspirations would be the hero that is Johnny Marr and really anything Thom Yorke is involved in.

What was the first gig you ever went to?

My dad brought me down to U2 at Croke Park in 2017 when they were re-touring the Joshua Tree album. It was my first ever gig and it’s been hard to beat since.

What was the first record you ever bought?

The first record I bought was Humbug by Arctic Monkeys when I was 14. Growing up in the streaming world meant I never really bought much physical music but now I’ve got stacks of CDs and vinyl all over the house.

What’s your favourite song right now?

I’m really enjoying Pressed by Alvvays, it’s got a bit of The Smiths wrapped around it guitar-wise and the vocals/overall production on it sound great.

Favourite lyric of all time?

There’s an unreleased Jeff Buckley song with Elizabeth Fraser from Cocteau Twins singing on it that I listen to on YouTube all the time called All Flowers in Time Bend Towards The Sun and the lyrics: "All flowers in time bend towards the sun, I know you say that there’s no one for you but here is one" are so beautiful when the two of them are singing in harmony. It’s heartbreaking but hopeful and that’s all you can ever really ask for in a piece of art.

If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Paradise by Sade. The perfect song from a groovy band. Sade is a brilliant singer and performer. If you haven’t already. go check it out and any of Sade’s live videos asap.

Where can people find your music/more information?

The band are over on Instagram (and most other platforms) @cairostationband.

Alan Corr