I can’t believe it’s been eight years since I first set eyes and ears on The Shipbuilders on a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon in Liverpool’s Sefton Park. Wailing from the bandstand, Matty Loughlin’s voice is so distinctive you’ll not un-hear it in a hurry. Since then, the band have played hundreds more gigs and released a string of uniquely astounding singles, culminating in the long-delayed release of Spring Tide, their critically acclaimed debut album. Described by Paul Higham in 2017 as “Liverpool gypsy-surf-rock,” the band have since been heralded as many things from many people, with the National Press piling on further accolades on the album release late last year. Offstage activity finds Matty protesting against a controversial dual carriageway that is planned to run straight throu...