You’re the kind of band I fail to describe with simple words or references to others. One minute you sound like Teenage Fanclub covering The Faces, the next minute you’re 5th Dimension-era Byrds in a bar with Peter Buck. (See, makes no sense whatsoever) I like your music, but this makes me uncomfortable. Pulls me right out of my comfort zone. Please help me out. What DO you sound like? WHO do you sound like? What do you call the band when you tell people what you do?
Glad we made you feel uncomfortable! There are plenty of those influences in there and lots more. Just after paying £15+ for an album, our generation got very lucky with the mp3 situation. That has certainly contributed to the diversity in some of the bands around at the moment. Genres are no fun, they're loaded with preconceptions. I'm not sure how helpful the term Americana is for an English band, but we have a pedal steel and some country songs so maybe we asked for it.
Tell me about the recording of this album. Do you, as a band, need certain surroundings and settings in order to make the magic happen?
We have always recorded at the same place, its an old farm outbuilding that we're slowly converting. We did this album in quite a concentrated spell up there and the location definitely played a role in proceedings. There's plenty of clear air and its bad for getting phone signal. That works for us.
The press release mentions that you’re the kind of band where all the members’ influences come together and turns into Two Fingers of Firewater. How do you manage to do that? How come it doesn’t point in 27 different directions?
It can - sometimes we embrace that, other times we'll try things then back off. For me the combination of personalities is what makes bands interesting. I like it when you can really feel the presence and character of everyone involved, The Who and The Dead always nailed that. Also the feeling of infinite possibility and the potential for chaos is part of the appeal of playing in a band, especially live.
When you draw on so many influences as you do, can the band function as a democracy, or do you need some controlled dictatorships, someone who cuts through and makes sure you don’t all wander off in too many directions?
We had a good deal of creative input from Spencer and Joe for this record in that respect, they steered the ship. Its rare for someone to say "stop playing that", but it does happen occasionally.
You’re part of this very exciting new wave of UK Americana, spearheaded by Clubhouse Records, Bob Harris, The Redlands, Danny & The Champions etc. There’s actually a whole new scene, and you’re right in the middle of it. Do you like being a part of something bigger and not ”just” a very fine band?
Its good news, Clubhouse have some great bands aboard and lots going on. Its really valuable to have like-minded bands to play gigs with and reach receptive audiences too. We just toured with The Dreaming Spires and James Walbourne, that's as coherent a line-up as we've been part of, it made for some excellent nights. Bob Harris has also been a great champion for us and doing a live session with him earlier in the year was an honour and an experience, his presence on air remains vital.
The album title, Songs To Listen To, sounds a bit like a statement. ”Here’s a bunch of great songs we did that you could listen to. No greater meaning, not trying to change the world, just a bunch of songs”. Am I over-analyzing things here?
That sounds about right.
Okay, so this is where the interview turns into News Of The World, but I’ve managed to dig up some dirt about you. Something about a hotel in Leicester, a bottle of whisky and a lead singer on fire. Care to tell your side of the story before the public finds out?
....no comment
Same hotel, same night, only this time with mini donuts and the Harlem Globetrotters. Explain, please
Oh dear. I'm not sure the hotel in question are big fans of our work.
You’ve toured with Al Perkins. He’s like the Mozart of pedal steel players. Tell me about working with him
He's a remarkable and inspiring man and a wonderful musician to have played with. It was amazing to work with him and we learnt a great deal. Playing those songs up and down the country with Al was a real highlight of what we've done as a band so far. That tour was very special. And without any fire safety issues.
The amazing album, Songs To Listen To, is out now on Clubhouse Records.
