- Interviews
Hi John, how are you today?
Not bad, thanks. I hope all is well with you.
Your new solo album ‘Revise Your Maps’ has just been released in America under the moniker ‘Perhapst’ Why not use your own name and, why ‘Perhapst’ ?
It is just a personal preference for band names versus actual human names... 'Thin Lizzy' sounds better to me than 'Gary Moore', as far as records and performances are concerned. However, I am certainly not trying to get people to call me Perhapst in the course of an average day (like 'Prince' or 'Flea', for example). Ha.
This is you second solo album, are there any majors changes from you self tiled 2008 release in either the song writing style or instrumentation?
I was attempting to make this one a little more concise, and a little less layered... I doubt that I succeeded! Who knows?
Who design the album cover for ‘Revise Your Maps’?
I took the photo, and did the drawings associated with the cover. It was all put together with the expert assistance of Rob Jones at Jealous Butcher Records.
Being a member of the Decemberists and Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks amongst others, do you find working on a solo album relaxing or is it more intense?
I am just happy to get to do it. As much as I love playing with these fantastic songwriters, there is always an urge to try it myself. It has always been an intense interest, but I suppose I have lacked the confidence to pursue it with much vigor. I put a lot of energy into the creation, so I guess it is an intense experience.
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Where you are today and how is the Euro tour going?
Today we are in
How long have you been playing together in
We've been gigging since 2009. Touring everywhere is full of surprises. But, of course, the road between shows is a lot less here than back home. There's so many more people & venues in
When and where did you record your second album and what do you think are the major differences to your first record?
We took our time with our second album, piecing it together with sessions in our own home in the rainforest and at a couple of really beautiful studios with some great players. We made our first album in 4 days. So the time makes a difference. There's more space to think about songs & arrangements & sounds. And also more time to scrutinize the process! Which I think is both important & natural but at times a little gruelling.
Any interest in the Ashes? The Duckworth Lewis Method has now made two records around the sport of Cricket. What sport would your songs be most closely connected to and why?
Paul is a big fan of test cricket. But he generally doesn't like corporatized nature of modern sport. Apparently there are 2 Ashes series in six months this year. That's a bit of an overkill I think! Some of our tunes were penned throughout epic backgammon games - but lawn bowls is slow and green - a nice match for Laneway.
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So let’s start by asking you to describe your sound for anyone that has not heard your music yet?
Very diverse, we don't really like sticking to one thing, there's heaviness and sonic honey in there.
Your debut album is set for release in the autumn. What stage are you at with the recording of the record and where are you recording and mixing it?
It's 90% there on the mixing side; we are a one or two days away from finishing it. It's been a long time coming; we cannot wait for this to be out.
Where are your hometowns and do these locations have any influence on your song writing?
I don't know if they do anymore, personally I have been living all over the place for a very long time and I have a few places and faces I miss like home.
What was the spark that led you on a musical path for a career?
I don't know man; one fine day you pick a guitar up and for some reason it sticks with you.
Also I personally would never use the word career. I'm probably deluded, but I don't think anyone playing music should ever think of it as "work". Even if it is.
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Did you change any of the dynamics in the studio when recording ‘Alone Aboard the Ark, as against your previous two albums?
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Hi Matt how is life on the Thames Delta (Essex) these days?
Life is good, thank you. It’s been very humid recently, just warming up for the summer time.
The last time we spoke you were recording under the moniker of 'Whispering Pines', why the change this time around?
I’ve changed my recording name a few times now. Once I had completed this new album, it didn’t feel like a Whispering Pines album, it wasn’t as mystical or rugged so I thought it should be called something else, so I have decided to put it out under my own name M G Boulter.
You had a fabulous band around you to record the record, how did you get everyone by your side?
I was blessed with this record to get some fabulous musicians and also, friends to play with me. For the rhythm section I asked my Lucky Strikes friend, Paul Ambrose to play bass and Rees Broomfield, who recorded the album, to play drums. They play great together and were my compadres throughout the whole project. On harmonies are Lizzy O’Connor and Bryony Afferson from Troubadour Rose. They are good friends and we’ve played many shows together in various forms. They are just a wonder when they sing together.
For this record I was also honored to have a hero of mine, Pick Withers, play on a few tracks. Pick has played with Bob Dylan, Dire Straits and Bert Jansch among others. We met in Liverpool while I was on tour with Simon Felice a few years back and we kept in touch. It’s so great to have him on the record.
How do you find the spark or the inspiration to write a song and what comes first, melody or words?
A good question. Inspiration just comes. Sometimes words or phrases hit me while I’m on the train, or walking, or invariably sleeping. Sometimes, a musical piece comes and I save it until the words are right for it. It’s not an ordered process or methodical for that matter, it’s elemental! It comes to me and I have to manage it into a song. Sometimes it works a treat; sometimes it doesn’t quite reach where I wanted it to be.
- Interviews
‘Junction’ your second album is getting great reviews. What is the feeling now that the album is completed? Relief, satisfaction, or working on song ideas for album number three?
Yeah we are over whelmed by the Great reviews; the album took a year and a half to complete due to life and work commitments but well worth it. We have about nine songs ready to go for the third album and probably we will start recording again in October.
What did you learn from recording your first album that you took into the studio for the new record?
We learnt that by playing the songs so much in gigs it would be a lot easier to record them because we knew exactly how the structure and sound would be. And by having a different engineer/producer this time, he also would bring the best out of us and ideas that we didn’t think about.
Are there any particular stories you would like to share behind the songs on ‘Junction’?
Most of the songs are about relationships or like Junction is about a girl that is on a slippery road with drugs or alcohol and she is at a Junction and doesn’t know which way to go.
Lonely girl is about a film i watched called The Stoning of Soria. A dark film about a girl wearing a vale and being a slave to her husband, she was scared not talking to anyone. He then rejected her and lied about that she was having an affair. So the outcome was she was to be stoned to death. A happy song! Ha!
What is it like living the ‘Rock n Roll’ dream today.. Life in a band?
Being in a band is the best feeling in the world, being on stage getting a positive result. Travelling to different venues, TV, radio, meeting different people! Seeing people and they say "i love your album" can’t get better than that!
- Interviews
Hello Ãsgeir, How are you today and how is
I'm really good, thank you, The UK tour was a great experience. I had never been to the
Well, I don't know about that or if it's connected with the language at all. I think it has more to to with how few we are. No one is trying to please other people with their music so everybody is just doing their own thing. But it seems to be working.
What was the spark that led you on a musical path for a career?
Writing songs has always been my favourite thing to do, so I’ve always wanted to do something connected to that. However I was aiming for a career in sports when a friend of mine who listened to a few demos encouraged me to approach a producer and do something for real with my music.
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You are releasing your first new music in 23 years with the album ‘What’s In Between' due out on June 25 via Electric Moth. Just how does that feel now the record is done?
Rob: We were in Brooklyn, New York with John Agnello mixing the record, and within the first few hours there was already a great sense of accomplishment. John knows exactly how to top a pizza. He's brilliant.
Mike: It felt natural to be working together again, and it shows on the record. we recorded in Paul's studio, Massive Sound, and also at Matt's guitar store, Midwestern Music, so we were essentially recording at home. When we got to mixing, we realized we needed an outside ear to get this thing finished. There's no one in the recording business better than John Agnello, and he had some free time to mix this, so we jumped on it. i've known john for 20 years and he can listen to a song and instantly get where it's going and how to make it work on any and all the levels.
Matt: It feels great to have this record out. I'm proud of the music, the production and the fact that it is being released on vinyl. I'm ready for the next one..
When did the band originally get together, with what ambitions and are you happy with the legacy so far? Are your ambitions for the band different this time around?
Rob: The future is unwritten! And there isn't much change, as far as ambition. Our ambition has always pretty much been the same - to try and get as many people as possible, in the universe, to enjoy our records. So, we're just gonna keep making them. Hopefully the next one will be out in less than 20 years.
Mike: When we first got together, we wanted to make a living -- like any musician taking a stab at their first real band. I'm happy with our legacy, because we've always worked hard, paid our dues on the road, and tried to record the best songs we could. If it takes the four of us dressed as characters from Moby Dick while skydiving into a flaming volcano to get the music heard, we'll do it.
Matt: We originally formed in 1983, I think. At that time our ambitions were to record and play music. It was a dream we pursued. Although most of the recording was in the garage, we did manage to get a lot of gigs. Our first real tour was over two months long. Our first release was a cassette tape, "Sensual Cardboard Event," and actually did well on college radio.... I'd say our ambitions are still the same. It's still about the music. The dream is still the same but the perspective has changed with time. We are as passionate about it now as we were then.
photo: Michael Forrester
- Interviews
Hi and welcome back to this side of the pond, how is the European tour going so far, good fun?
The tour is great so far :) some surprisingly good turnouts considering that I have only been over sporadically.
When did you decided to undertake a solo career and with what ambitions?
After spending a decade of living and struggling in the
How do you approach your shows solo and with band, are preparations different and do you prefer one over the other?
I'm very aware that my solo shows are very compelling and lot of people enjoy seeing me just by myself. I use the band to augment my vocals and also to get more energy during the rowdiest songs. I love playing with my band, as well as performing solo.
Tell us about the label Joyful Noise, who released your solo LP, how did you get together?
Just as I had almost competed my successful kickstarter campaign to raise funds to self-release, Karl was the only one to contact me and offer me a record deal. He was very intelligent and seemed very nice, so we negotiated a very fair deal..
What is the meaning behind your album title 151a
151a could also be read in Japanese as "ichi-go-ichi-e" It means "one moment one meeting" and it is an approach to performance and composition that allows me to enjoy t he spirit of the moment and take more risks.
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You are releasing the decade spanning, The Woodentops ‘Before During After’ – Remasters, Remixes & Rarties 1982-1992 via One Little Indian, on May 27th How does it feel now that the release is ready to go?
Its exciting. Its so long since we put out a serious release I really had forgotten how it feels. It’s a little spotlight moment for us. Time to make a scene. hehe. Puts a bit more oomph into it all, We'll play harder live.
Is the release designed to be a history lesson on the band or, a long look over the shoulder, before looking forward again?
Well that’s how it looks. However in fact it was nearly compiled a couple of times before, just this time it went all the way to finish. I like the long look over the shoulder idea. Some truth in that. good one! You writers quite often help me figure out what it is I'm doing. 3cds long, a look!. Not too long I hope, neck ache..
When did the band originally get together and with what ambitions?
1982 it began as an idea and conversations and listening to tapes I’d done. It didn't take long to find people to come in the cocoon of hard work. We all loved to play as much as possible and we took a long while before we dared play in public. From then on the ambition was to play more and more get it better. That’s the drive. Still is.
How have the personnel of the band changed over the years to how do you look as a group today … are there any plans for new music?
For a 5 piece band essentially, I counted once 35 people have played in with us! Some for a while, some a short burst. The 3 of us Simon Frank and I are the longest serving from the beginning of it. We look like the Woodentops. We are pretty wirey and play fast for a long time. Seriously, the set is fierce at the moment. New songs are weaved with the originals and there is new album just about to step out the house. Because of ‘Before, During, After’, we have given ourselves a touch more time to tweak.
- Interviews
Hi Caitlin,
How long have you been playing and performing and what was the spark that sent you down this musical career path?
I have been a musician for years, but the music I am making now, I have been creating and working on for about 5 years. I have always been interested in writing and creating music and sonic soundscapes, however I think watching the phenomenal musicians that come out of Australia as a young adult, as well as theatre and watching films have been the main inspirations for my musical progression.
How would you describe your music for people who have not yet heard your songs yet?
Electro-acoustics. Folk music with sound effects and dialogue samples. Big drums and lots of vocals.
How did your collaborations with Peter Broderick and Holly Throsby come about?
Holly has been a friend of mine for years, and was a big inspiration to me, both musically and personally – I always wanted to sing a song with her on my first album, and I got to sing on her album too. It was an honour.
Before my album came out, almost 3 years ago now, I sent Peter a bunch of demos after writing to him and letting him know how much I enjoyed his work and respected his opinions of mine. He enjoyed them so much he sent me a handful of poems he had written, including a beautiful visual piece called ‘A Boat?’. To challenge myself, as well as show my respect for his work I turned it into a song – and wrote music and a melody for his poem. He enjoyed it so much he let me put it on the record. To this day, Peter and I have only met once in person.
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Your music is described as Post-Hardcore, how would you describe your sound?
It's a mixture of all the kinds of music we like; we mix really heavy stuff with really
"poppy" stuff. it's a little bit like good vs evil
You released an EP in 2011 when is your next release due and what can we expect to hear?
Hopefully as soon as possible. We're working on a new album as we speak. That will be
our full length debut. It's a little bit more technical and mature but it's still the same type of
music.. just better.
How did the band come together and with what ambitions?
Most of us lived in the same town in
(about 1000 people live there) and we were pretty much the only guys in the whole
town that liked rock/metal. So we started playing together as a HIM covers band and
then just evolved. There was nothing else to do other than practice so, we pretty much
practiced every day.
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How would you describe the sound of the band on the new album (‘Love and Peace and Sympathy’) and was there anything different in the recording process this time around?
The album was recorded live with very few overdubs. 5 of the tracks were recorded take one and the rest we had 2 or more goes at. The whole thing was done from start to finish in about a week. The sound of the band is expansive but inexpensive. It felt like making a first album again.
Who designed the striking butterfly album cover?
Paul Barton. I think he builds posh sheds.com
The band originally formed in 1996, seventeen years later, what still drives you on?
The music.
You have a gig at London’s Bull & Gate on 01 May as part of the venues closing celebrations. As another landmark venue falls by the wayside are there any special memories you have of the Bull and Gate you can share?
We did a 'secret' album launch for our third album there. The actress Thandie Newton came to see us. There were paparazzi outside and I stood and watched them and thought it was hilarious. A bit like the Yardbirds guitar neck scene in Blow Up. I was worthless on the street standing next to the press waiting for the film star but then I was the centre of attention inside whilst on stage.
You have a tremendous about of experience in the music industry. Has it been like joining the army and seeing the world or how would you sum up your career so far?
A tragedy of sorts! I don't think I have that much experience with the music industry because I have spent all my time trying to make and sell music from outside of it!! The Army would have been better. At least I could have killed people legally.
How would you describe one of your other projects ‘Twelve’ and do you write for both bands?
Yes. Twelve is just me though!! It's electronic and sounds a bit like Kraftwerk having a party with John Carpenter.
Listen to the awesome 'Fall Into Your Arms taken from the new album HERE