What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.
I was inspired to write music after joining Guppyboy in the late 90s (which became The Essex Green) and watching my bandmates write and record.
Provide us with some info about your latest release…
Love Is Alright took many years to complete and contains a wide spectrum of musicians and collaborators from all parts of my life. It doesn’t fit easily into categorization!
What would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?
My mother’s box of 45’s from her days as a teenybopper had a huge influence on me as a very young child. It began as a fascination with the turntable itself, but The Beatles, Dion, Jay and the Americans, The Archies, etc. really turned me on. I consider those childhood moments to have formed my musical bedrock.
In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?
It’s not clear to me how my brain and hands churn out music. All I know is that my brain is not ‘normal’, and I think that has served my creative process well. My songs tend to meander into unexpected places that surprise even me. I don’t edit myself during the songwriting process the way other artists might. For example, if part of a song sounds wrong, misplaced or overly complex, it’s not intentional, and I will trust my gut and keep it there. I’m not out to please anyone but myself, although I know my bandmates like a good rock tune so I’m always pleased to provide that for them! I’m not even sure what genre Love is Alright would fall under, Mutant perhaps?
Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…
Anne Murray – This Way is My Way
Richard and Linda Thompson – I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
Goblin – Suspiria
Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?
I prefer performing live over playing in the studio, as every performance has different nuances. The setting and the audience determine the mood of the evening which then influences the way I choose to present myself. I get very nervous and tight during the recording process. I love watching others record though! And mixing is my favorite creative process of all time.
Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?
A drunken, Swedish anti-fan once smeared our van door handles with feces and I was the victim, stuck in a dark, festival field far from soap and hot water. Uniquely not funny.
Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?
The most unusual track on the album is the final one, The Library. A friend challenged me to write a song that I would typically not write, and that was the result. It lacks structure and contains no hooks. I need more challenges like these!
Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?
The plan is to tour!
Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…
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Photo credits: Amy Donovan
Curated by: Christos Doukakis
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