1: How the devil are you today and where are you?
Basking in the golden sunlight of the
2: When did you discover you had such a unique singing voice?
Just now, thanks. No, maybe when we got our first review and it seemed to be a talking point. Before that, I don’t remember anyone mentioning it to me. Quite rude under the circumstances.
3: You said recently that your previous band ‘Absentee“are taking a “long lunch”. Are the other band members still making music?
One of those long boozy lunches where more wine appears and you keep talking then its dinner time and before you know it your cooking breakfast for each other. We're all very close and everyone’s busy making music.. Laurie is with me in the coastguards, Babak, Laurie and Melinda all play together in Wet Paint, Melinda also plays in Singing Adams, and I've just finished recording Babaks solo music. We're like the Brady Bunch. But not blonde,or happy.
4: You founded your own label ‘Editions recording’. Why take that route and would that be your advice for new artists just starting out?
I took that route so I could make the records the way I wanted. Ltd edition, hand made, screen printed etc.. You can't really do that with a label that has a lot of more practical concerns like how do we not let this guy bankrupt us? , and why is he always asking us to this stuff? There’s no perfect route for me to take, either my own label or someone else’s provides exactly whets needed, but I'm getting close. Any new artist starting out should stay well clear of any advice I give, but try to stay close to what ever it is they think they want.
5. Two albums with the Coastguards. 2009's Saltwater and 2010's Shakes, Was last year’s ‘Sudden Fiction a totally solo effort and if so, why?
It wasn’t totally solo but I wrote and recorded the bones of it in a hermit state, disappearing for days on end, the only person I answered the phone to was the pizza delivery man. He ended up doing some backing vocals after I burnt my mouth on a deep pan pepperoni and couldn’t sing for a while. Stuffed crust.
6: Sudden Fiction’ is said to have come out of a trip to Texas, can you tell us what those experiences where that led you to write those songs?
I think the sound of sudden Fiction is a reaction to the landscape and atmosphere of
7: How important do you think social networking is to promote your music? MySpace, Facebook, Twitter etc?
Most of the people who like my music tend to live alone in cold houses, fearful of technology. They don’t like to share. This is unfortunate, for all of us. For me, the internet is important because I can make these semi precious items and find the people that appreciate them. I can also take card payments.
8: Any bands or artists from your travels that should be on our radar?
Of course Babak Ganjei's loner music as I've just spent some time recording his uncomfortably honest pop songs. Also, The Wooden Sky who came over from
9: Any particular instruments, effects, or recording techniques that you would like to share with your fellow musicians’?
Auto tune doesn’t work on my voice.
10: What can we expect from you and your label in 2012?
I released a valentines EP this year which was something I always wanted to do but never got round to before. That sold out and made me happy. I'm working on a new record for release later this year which I’m already very excited about and wish I could release tomorrow... but nobody buys unfinished records any more. So between now and then, I’ll be releasing Babaks album, which is finished.
