So many bands, so little time..
Any of my friends will tell you that Its very rarely that I have a night in, infact, not only am I at gigs multiple times each week, my voice recorder joins me on most festival trips and weekends away, just incase y’know..
I’ve been known to interview bands in an array of random situations over the last three years. A few that stand out for me this year:
Interviewing Young Husband at the end of the bar in The Griffin, whilst the Jesus & Mary Chain sat across from us; Interviewing the Black Angels sat cross legged on the concrete outside the service entrance to the Ruby Lounge, meeting Crystal Stilts on the stationary train-bar at Indietracks and fawning over their vinyl; my Deaf Institute bunk bed interludes with EMA, Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Sissy & The Blisters, watching Twin Shadow re-string his guitar and hold down an interview simultaneously, fun times with Frankie & The Heartstrings whilst they played pool at Salford Lads Club (technically 2010 but aired 2011), quizzing Lee from Viva Brother to see if he really was a total tool whilst he wore a pirate hook for a hand..
Mostly though, its not as glamorous as people think, waiting around for hours (i now own a kindle and a fancy phone for that time killing reason) chatting in dark vans, in corridors, or whilst they’re eating their tea. Looking back, I’ve interviewed over 100 bands/musicians in 2011 and have loved meeting every person. I love hearing their stories, influences etc and a meeting face to face is so much more personal and interactive than a phoner, so i’ve tried to shy away from them this year.
My biggest ‘whoop whoop’ moment this year was finally meeting the lovely Edwyn Collins and wife Grace at Indietracks festival. More adorable and hospitable people you could not wish to meet, and a dream come true for me. I even got to make a visit to the legendary West Heath Yard in December, although master and mistress were not at home, I got to meet the awesome Susan and Seb, check out the latest project from the guys at http://aedrecords.com/ the home of their new record label.
Amazing music, amazing people! Here is the list of interviews from 2011. Here’s to many more in 2012, and from me to you for 2012 Happy New Year!
If you want to listen to any of these shows again, they can all be found on my mix cloud HERE
06/01/11 Sound of Guns
09/01/11 Orphan Boy
13/01/11 !!!
16/01/11 Little Comets (x3)
20/01/11 Darwin Deez (x2)
23/01/11 12 Dirty Bullets
27/01/11 Black Angels
30/01/11 Silver Columns
03/02/11 James Yuill
06/02/11 Lysergic Suite
10/02/11 The Vaccines
13/02/11 We Are Scientists
17/02/11 Ringo Deathstarr
20/02/11 Salem
24/02/11 Answering Machine
27/02/11 Frankie & The Heartstrings
03/03/11 Trojan Horse
06/03/11 Blind Atlas
10/03/11 Engineers
13/03/11 Paul Smith (Maximo Park)
17/03/11 Sleigh Bells
20/03/11 Twin Shadow
24/03/11 The Rainband
27/03/11 Doyle & The Fourfathers
31/03/11 The Narrows
03/04/11 The Crookes
07/04/11 Eagulls
10/04/11 The Joy Formidable
14/04/11 Danny Mahon
17/04/11 Trophy Wife
21/04/11 Duke Spirit
24/04/11 Brother
28/04/11 Wolf People
01/05/11 May 68
05/05/11 Miles Kane
08/05/11 Dinosaur Pile-up
12/05/11 The Boxer Rebellion
15/05/11 Pigeon Detectives
19/05/11 Crocodiles
22/05/11 Benjamin Francis Leftwich
26/06/11 Vinyl Jacket
29/05/11 Foreign Office
02/06/11 Cloud Control
05/06/11 Kill Van Kulls
09/06/11 Pete & The Pirates
12/06/11 The Dears
16/06/11 The Wave Pictures
19/06/11 The Leisure Society
23/06/11 Fixers
26/06/11 Sarabeth Tucek
30/06/11 Jim Jones Revue
03/07/11 Patterns
07/07/11 Beat Connection
10/07/11 Deep Sea Arcade
14/07/11 Arrows Of Love
17/07/11 Holy Ghost
21/07/11 Cults
24/07/11 Various Cruelties
28/07/11 Battles
31/07/11 Papercuts
04/08/11 Greetings From Beacons Festival preview
07/08/11 Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
11/08/11 Breton
14/08/11 Hyde & Beast
18/08/11 Tame Impala
21/08/11 Babeshadow
25/08/11 Edwyn Collins
28/08/11 Crystal Stilts
01/09/11 Beth Jeans Houghton
04/09/11 Janice Graham Band
08/09/11 Factory Floor
11/09/11 Ogenesis Records
15/09/11 Other Lives
18/09/11 Wye Oak
22/09/11 Replicas
02/10/11 Milk Maid
16/10/11 Visions Of Trees
20/10/11 EMA
23/10/11 Howling Bells
27/10/11 Slow Club
30/10/11 Lets Buy Happiness
03/11/11 Teeth
06/11/11 Golden Glow
10/11/11 Constellations Festival preview
13/11/11 Wakey Wakey
17/11/11 Veronica Falls
20/11/11 Spectrals
24/11/11 Underground Railroad
27/11/11 Summer Camp
01/12/11 Outfit
04/12/11 Ghost Outfit
08/12/11 Gardens & Villa
11/12/11 Trophy Wife
15/12/11 Sissy & The Blisters
18/12/11 Swimming
