YOU'RE NOT ON THE EARTH TODAY: An interview with the very talented Annie Winter!

 

PART 1 - "THE INTERVIEW"

 

1 - What was your first musical memory and what pushed you towards pursuing a career in the record industry?

 

"Not sure about my first musical memory but my dad's vinyl collection and going to gigs from a young age inspired me to pick up a guitar and write songs."

 

2 - Had you been involved with any other bands prior to becoming a solo artist as Annie Winter?

 

"I used to do covers gigs as an acoustic duo but with originals, I just started solo and one by one added a band to my set."

 

3 - Why did you choose to become a solo artist instead of forming a band?

 

"I love having a band behind me, with amazing musicians. I write alone and then we jam the songs together and see what happens. I have never written with someone else and I think I'd find it hard writing as a band as its such a personal thing, it's like writing a diary that rhymes."

 

4 - How would you describe the sound of Annie Winter?

 

"Difficult to describe and I'm still not sure what 'genre' it is. I'd say eclectic, folk, soul. It's not entirely one thing, but instead its a mixture of sounds with a mellow vibe."

 

5 - Last year you started to perform with a backing band - how has this changed the sound and dynamic of your music?

 

"The music has changed from stripped back acoustic folk, to soulful and rhythmical delight. It's a lot more dynamic now."

 

6 - You have performed at many high profile gigs such as the Isle of Wight Festival and a gig supporting Deborah Bonham. How does it feel playing these 'bigger' gigs and has it had a boost on your career?

 

"I love playing good gigs, but all gigs are good. I suppose the Isle of Wight was exciting because a lot of hype is created around it and it's cool to play to a different group of people. I loved supporting Deb Bonham, she's a beautiful person with lovely followers. It definitely helps supporting well-known people or venues as people take notice of what you're up to next."

 

7 - You appeared in a Keane music video. How did this come about?

 

"I know the director - Andy Marsh so he asked me to be in it. In return he has filmed my first music video for me, which will be released soon."

 

8 - Your debut album is called Zooni. What does this mean and why did you choose it as the title?

 

"Zooni means the moon in Kashmir and it was the name given to me by the locals in Srinagar when I stayed there. It was also the name given to Habba Khatun, a 16th-century poet."

 

9 - What can fans expect from your debut album?

 

"If you have already heard my solo stuff then you may be surprised at the new sound. It's an album which in the winter it sounds quite cold and in the summer it sounds like the sun."

 

10 - Who would be your dream collaboration?

 

"Robert Plant."

 

11 - Any live dates coming up?

 

"TBC."

 

12 - Who would be in your dream super group?

 

"Hmmm, can I choose passed people as well? George Harrison, Mike Patto, Jaki Whitren, Thijs Van Leer, Dave Gilmour, John Bonham and Steve Marriott. And another 20 legends probably!"

 

PART 2 - "THE QUICKFIRE ROUND"

 

1  - Favourite Beatle?

 

"George."

 

2 - Favourite band?

 

"Patto and Led Zeppelin."

 

3 - Favourite new band?

 

"Really like Alt-J."

 

4 - Favourite song?

 

"You can't ask me that! At the moment it is Hazey Jane II by Nick Drake. It's my waking up song."

 

5 - Favourite album?

 

"Dark Side of the Moon."

 

6 - Vinyl, CD or download?

 

"Vinyl."

 

7 - Style icon?

 

"Ron Burgandy."

 

8 - Favourite clothing brand?

 

"Slow Turtle."

 

9 - Favourite film?

 

"Anchorman."

 

10 - Favourite TV show?

 

"Strictly Come Dancing."

 

11 - Who would play you in a film of your life?

 

"Marilyn Monroe."

 

12 - Favourite food?

 

"Veggie."

 

13 - Football team?

 

"Arsenal apparently!"

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Annie Winter! Check out our previous feature on Metropolis!

For more info on Annie Winter click here - http://www.anniewinter.co.uk/

 

You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB Records

I SHOULD'VE STAYED IN BED TODAY: Andy Gallagher talks to us about his new album with Overhaul!

 

Part 1 - The 'INTERVIEW'

 

1 - Had you been invovlved with any other bands prior to Andy Gallagher & Overhaul?

 

"Yes, since I was thirteen or fourteen I had been playing in bands. I think you've got to do that and soak everything up. Good or bad it makes you a more seasoned player and songwriter."

 

2 - How did Andy Gallagher & Overhaul begin?

 

"We began as Overhaul and because the line-up kept changing and it was all my own songs we were playing, it seemed natural to rename the band Andy Gallagher & Overhaul. It meant I could have whoever I wanted in the band and the name would never have to change and it lives up to the band. Overhaul - the act of improving by renewing and restoring."

 

3 - Where did the name Overhaul come from?

 

"My wife, Pauline, came up with it."

 

4 - How would you describe the sound of Andy Gallagher & Overhaul?

 

"Well, I get told that we are alternative rock but I don't like to pigeon hole my work."

 

5 - In 2011, you played bass for one of your biggest influences - Gordan Gano. How did it feel playing with someone you held in such high esteem?

 

"It was a dream come true. I loved that tour from start to finish. Gordon is such a sweetheart of a guy and an amazing songwriter and violinist too. Honestly, I felt so honoured and proud to be a part of Gordon Gano & The Ryan's. I hope we can do it all again sometime soon."

 

6 - Your next studio album will be called 'Achukma'. Where did this title come from and what does it mean?

 

"It comes from Choctwa Native American language. Achukma is used a lot in Choctwa to describe a great many things. Peace, goodness, fairness, honesty, good, gracious etc. I liked the idea that one word had so many uses and it was sort of cryptic too."

 

7 - What can fans be expecting from the new album?

 

"Good songs, great friends, well written, well performed and well recorded and mixed. A pirate rock song, a song about my time in Milwaukee, a song about a bad day and in hindsight would've been better off staying in bed and a few other songs that I enjoyed writing and recording."

 

8 - Who would be your dream collaboration?

 

"I would love to continue collaborating more with all the artists I've worked with over the years but would love to collaborate with Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum, Sean Scholnik of Langhorne Slim, maybe Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Lou Barlow (Sebadoh), Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac), Josh Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age) and J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr)."

 

9 - Any new songs in the pipeline?

 

"I'm always writing new songs. I enjoy the process of writing. I find writing very therapeutic. In fact I've got about three or four albums worth of songs to release."

 

10 - Any new singles, EP's or albums to be released in the near future?

 

"Yes, 'Achukma' will be officially released on the 28th November 2013, I'm pretty sure there'll be a single or two from that as well as a video. I hopefully intend to make a start on our next album in October at Cava Studios in Glasgow, Scotland with Geoff Allen engineering and co-producing. Joey Huffman (Soul Asylum/Matchbox Twenty), Mike Hoffman (Semi Twang/Delta Routine), Kevin Sellors and I are trying to work out some time in Atlanta, Georgia as part of the new album. Also, Chris Mancini, Kenny Johnson and I will be working on the "Kelburn Sessions" album with Nick Hodge engineering. My idea behind this album is to try and record everything live. Like back in original days of recording. It'll be more about the performance and feel of the songs rather than the piecing the song track by track, overdub after overdub."

 

11 - Any live dates coming up?

 

"Our booking agent, Ian Smith at Frusion Agency is working at that right now. Keep your eyes peeled on our website and our facebook page for upcoming shows and tours."

 

12 - Who would be in your dream supergroup?

 

"Hmmm, that's a tough one, I'll work with anyone!"

 

Part 2 - The 'QUICKFIRE ROUND'

 

1 - Favourite Beatle?

 

Andy: "Used to be John but now I favour George."

 

Mike: "When I was a kid Ringo, now John."

 

Brendan: "George."

 

Billy: "George."

 

Kevin: "Respect. But I'll take The Stones over The Beatles any day of the week."

 

Graham: "George."

 

Kenny: "George."

 

Chris: "Stag. Oh, BeAtle - Lennon."

 

2 - Favourite band?

 

Andy: "Neil Young & Crazy Horse, NO WAIT, Dinosaur Jr, NO WAIT, Violent Femmes, NO WAIT!"

 

Mike: "Beatles."

 

Brendan: "Talking Heads."

 

Billy: "The Rolling Stones."

 

Kevin: "Zeppelin."

 

Graham: "Radiohead."

 

Kenny: "Stooges."

 

Chris: "Tool, though it's a close call with Queens Of The Stone Age."

 

 

3 - Favourite new band?

 

Andy: "Beirut."

 

Mike: "The Record Company."

 

Brendan: "Arcade Fire."

 

Billy: "Band-Shins, Old 97s."

 

Kevin: "Cody Marlowe and the Dead Flowers."

 

Graham: "Hookworms."

 

Kenny: "Cosmic Dead."

 

Chris: "Zun Zun Egui."

 

4 - Favourite song?

 

Andy: "Bruce Spingsteen - Downbound Train."

 

Mike: "Mood Indigo - Stardust."

 

Brendan: "Born Under Punches."

 

Billy: "Fly Me To The Moon."

 

Kevin: "Otis Redding's version of Down In The Valley."

 

Graham: "At Last...Etta James"

 

Kenny: "Britney Spears - Toxic."

 

Chris: "Right Now - PJ Harvey: One line - tomorrow, who knows!"

 

5 - Favourite album?

 

Andy: "Neil Young - After The Gold Rush/Zuma or Soul Asylum - Let Your Dim Light Shine."

 

Mike: "Ella and Louis Sing/Pet Sounds/Sgt Pepper/OK Computer (and several more)."

 

Brendan: "Frank's Wild Years."

 

Billy: "Exile On Main Street."

 

Kevin: "Zeppelin II."

 

Graham: "Kid A."

 

Kenny: "Stooges Fun House."

 

Chris: "Tool: Lateralus - sometimes, The Mars Volta - Deloused in the Comatorium."

 

6 - Vinyl, CD or download?

 

Andy: "Vinyl with a digital download card that you can then burn onto CD."

 

Mike: "Vinyl."

 

Brendan: "Vinyl."

 

Billy: "Vinyl/Cassette."

 

Kevin: "I still like CD's."

 

Graham: "Vinyl."

 

Kenny: "Anything but tape."

 

Chris: "Download. Our record deck was gifted away sadly..."

 

7 - Style icon?

 

Andy: "None."

 

Mike: "Bob Dylan circa Highway 61."

 

Brendan: "None."

 

Billy: "Bowie."

 

Kevin: "Mick Jagger in that live video of Brown Sugar where he's wearing that pink suit...that's fun."

 

Graham: "Bowie."

 

Kenny: "Whenever I buy jeans, I ask "What would Iggy go?""

 

Chris: "Mike Patton's quite a snappy dresser..."

 

8 - Favourite clothing brand?

 

Andy: "Whatever fits!"

 

Mike: "Public School, Vines/Beatwear, Boots/EyeGlassBoy, shades."

 

Brendan: "None."

 

Billy: "Vintage 50s"

 

Kevin: "Whoever made that pink suit."

 

Graham: "Levis."

 

Kenny: "You might as well ask who my favourite Tory is."

 

Chris: "I actually know nothing about brands. Eh, charity shop?"

 

9 - Favourite film?

 

Andy: "Die Hard or anything Alfred Hitchcock made."

 

Mike: "Goodfellas."

 

Brendan: "One Flew Over The Coo Coo's Nest."

 

Billy: "None."

 

Kevin: "Gladiator."

 

Graham: "Pulp Fiction."

 

Kenny: "The Big Lebowski."

 

Chris: "Old Boy by Park Chan-Wook. Simply outstanding in every way."

10 - Favourite TV show?

 

Andy: "Sgt. Bilko (Phil Sivers show), Breaking Bad or Alfred Hitchcock Hour."

 

Mike: "Breaking Bad/Larry Sanders."

 

Brendan: "The Honeymooners."

 

Billy: "Homeland."

 

Kevin: "NFL!"

 

Graham: "Breaking Bad."

 

Kenny: "Roadrunner."

 

Chris: "The Sopranos."

 

11 - Who would you like to play you in a film of your life?

 

Andy: "Eeyore or Winnie The Pooh. Either of them would portray 'me' brilliantly"

 

Mike: "Johnny Depp."

 

Brendan: "Steve Buscemi."

 

Billy: "Johnny Depp."

 

Kevin: "Me."

 

Graham: "Josh Homme."

 

Kenny: "Diamanda Galas but I don't think I've lived the right life for that."

 

Chris: "Keanu Reeves, because he's the most talented actor ever!"

 

12 - Favourite food?

 

Andy: "My wife's cooking. And chicken wings."

 

Mike: "Courage."

 

Brendan: "Lobster."

 

Billy: "Greek."

 

Kevin: "Japanese."

 

Graham: "Buritto."

 

Kenny: "Steak."

 

Chris: "Spicy prawns and coconut rice...I'm drooling."

 

13 - Football team?

 

Andy: "Green Bay Packers. Don't follow 'soccer' but I do like the world cup when it's on."

 

Mike: "Green Bay Packers!"

 

Brendan: "The NY Jets."

 

Billy: "NY Jets and Giants. I love New York."

 

Kevin: "Baltimore Ravens."

 

Graham: "Don't have one."

 

Kenny: "*Insert expletive here* right off."

 

Chris: "What team? Is that the new thing the kids all watch? Sports?"

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Andy Gallagher & Overhaul! Check out our previous feature on The DuBarrys!

 

Visit the Andy Gallagher & Overhaul site here - http://andygallagher.net/

 

You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB Records