1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?
I don’t think there was ever a moment when I knew would to be a singer as such. For as long as I can remember I knew that I was going to write my own songs. Before I could play any instrument and before I had any musical ability what so ever I knew that I would be a songwriter. Writing my own songs was just something I was always going to do, there was never a plan so to speak which I would follow in order to become a song-writer, I just always had a sense that I would just become a songwriter, I never envisioned it being hard or any kind of struggle, I would be a song-writer and that would be that. I finally saved up to buy my first guitar when I was thirteen, within the first few months I wrote countless songs and my prophecy came true. Just write, forget everything and throw yourself into to it, what has anyone got to lose? That’s my philosophy. I’m totally engrossed with the song writing process, the adrenaline and the satisfaction you get from is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced, if the drugs don’t work then you’re taking the wrong drugs and song-writing is my drug of choice and it always hits the stop.
2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favourites?
There is always a constant flurry of CD’s going in and out of the CD player (yes I still listen to CD’s and when the chance comes up vinyl). Some of the regulars are Lou Reed, Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, PJ Harvey, The Only Ones, The Clash, Pixies, Pavement, Nick Cave, Sonic Youth, Bright Eyes, The Smiths, Joy Division, Jesus and Mary Chain, The Talking Heads, The Buzzcocks…. to name a few.
3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
The greatest moment for me was getting the album ‘Mysterious Skin’ finished. It took far longer than I could of possibly imagined and was a very frustrating time, life really caught up with me and at times it felt like it would never see the light of the day. The process was long and drawn out to say the least but thankfully it was all worth it, I ultimately wanted an album that I could be proud of forever. No matter what comes in the future this album will always remain a significant one, that’s for sure, it’s the one where all future successes will be built upon.
4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
I suppose the first thing to do would be to answer the question ‘how apathetic do you believe today’s society to be?’ You only have to consider global warming, it’s here and it’s happening right now and what are people doing about it? Nothing, the majority of people just don’t care and it’s a sad state of affairs. We had the event Live Earth not long back to address the issue, it was everywhere, and what’s it’s legacy? No one even remembers it let alone it having any lasting legacy. People are just too comfortable, sat in their houses with their big TV’s and eating too much food, most of today’s issues just don’t enter the equation.
Of course music certainly give’s people a voice. Music is fundamentally a tool for bringing people together, it’s only in the last hundred years that people have had the ability to listening to music as a sole activity, prior to that people had to come together in order to experience any kind of music, and despite technological advances the majority of people’s listening experiences are still shared. It is a way of connecting and relating with other people like no other. I’m sure there’s not a soul on the planet that you couldn’t talk to and find some common ground in relation to music, it’s what we all have in common.
So no I don’t think music on can change the world, people need to want to see change first and as already mentioned I think today’s masses are dangerously apathetic but if the time comes when the people do want to change then I think music, as in the past become as great facilitator in the process.
On a personal level I certainly think it can transform people lives. At the end of the day music just makes you feel better.
5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
I suppose it’s screwed the industry. One of the things that annoy me is all the constant doom you see in the media, things like ‘the industry is falling apart’ ect... we’ve seen it for the last few years now and we keep getting told it’s getting worse. I can’t help but think so what? Should we really be expected to feel sympathy for all these fat cats who aren’t getting all the cream anymore? The music industry is practically built on theft, right from the moment someone worked out how to record sound the artist has been getting screwed. Today’s technology has empowered the artist, never has there been a better time than today to be an independent recording artist.
The cost of recording has now completely bottomed out, previously when you paid for a recording session you were paying mainly for the equipment, now it’s mainly the expertise. However if you are willing to learn the craft of recording you can do the whole thing on a couple of hundred pounds, depending on you requirements but you’d need along with good songs a genuine talent at engineering and producing yourself. In terms of making my own record I don’t think it would have been possible to make this album with the budget I had without digital technology. I was also extremely lucky to have worked with such a talented engineer, Mark Jones, who has worked alongside people like Pater Gabriel.
So overall I think it’s turned the industry on its head, for independent artist’s its opened doors like never before. Recording, distribution and marketing with all the social networking platforms that are now available, to all independent artist it’s a dream come true. It’s kind of like the ultimate punk rock dream, DIY for everyone, of course to make it all work you’re going to have to work damn hard, and of course having a little talent and something interesting to say won’t go amiss.
6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
I’d be the most smelliest, dirtiest, ugliest pair of boots, the kind that gets left outside the house, the ones you would not be seen dead wearing but when the time comes and a job needs doing, and troubles about and your needed back in the trench, then a good pair of boots that can with stand any punishment are essentially. I’m those boots; you’re most valuable asset always ready for anything.
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