THIN DISGUISE: Our interview with Dogstar Rose - she speaks about her solo stuff and her music with Futurejack!

 

PART 1 - "THE INTERVIEW"

 

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

 

"First musical memory was probably when I was about six or seven years old and being introduced to the stereo player my mum and dad had bought...a record collection began to appear with lots of classical vinyl, and then brilliant 'street' compilation albums which included bands like Blondie and The Jam...also, I particularly remember my mum used to listen to John Lennon's 'Shaved Fish' album.  Almost three whole decades came and went before I moved to Liverpool and picked up on the 'live' music vibe and suddenly found myself sucked in and becoming a musician."

 

Had you been involved with any other bands prior to becoming a solo artist as Dogstar Rose?

"Yes, very briefly, I was probably about twenty-three or twenty-four years old and I'd been writing a lot of poetry and some guys got on to me and asked if I wanted to sing for them, they had been batting the idea around of being called 'The Herbal Pillows'...I was only with them for about five or six weeks, possibly because at that time I wasn't the best singer, (it's not been a natural gift to me, I've definitely had to work at singing and I'm sure not your regular 'girly' sweet high tone voice) but they did like my words..."

 

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

"It wasn't really a choice, I've literally stumbled into becoming a musician and because my poetry started to morph into songs I simply progressed into forming natural melodies by picking up the guitar and learning how to play and then putting the two together. Before I knew it I was tentatively getting up on stage to perform."

 

How would you describe the sound of Dogstar Rose?

"Gritty and retributive."

 

Where did the name Dogstar Rose come from?

"A shamanic acquaintance was sitting in my living room along with other friends and I was standing up giving an impromptu performance and he gabbled some mystical words and when I asked him to repeat himself it came about that he'd said 'you remind me of the Dogstar'. (In short: Sirius - in the constellation Canis Major the Greater Dog - is the sky's brightest star)."

 

Why do you choose to go under this pseudonym instead of your birth name?

"Skeletons! A whole walk in wardrobe of them..."

 

You have released a number of songs online including ‘Thin Disguise’. What is this song about and what influenced it?

"This song came about from the fact that I had a glitch in my personality whereby in a relationship or two I found I couldn't tell the truth to a lover because of not wanting to hurt them. The truth being that I wanted to end the relationship."

 

You also front the ‘gypsy punk’ band Futurejack. Why did you choose to form a band to go along with your solo career?

"This was a natural progression as the more I played live in and around Liverpool, the more interest I would get from other musicians who felt they could bring something to the sound I was producing. Futurejack has been through many changes but right now, it is the best it has ever been."

 

What is the difference in dynamic between the solo stuff and the band and which do you prefer?

"The difference in dynamics speaks for itself when Futurejack perform, we have a ludicrously brilliant drummer called 'TwoPints' and a dark zany bass man 'Jonny Mc' and these two wonderful human beings both have the same vision as myself, they relate to my words, understand them, and enjoy nothing more than to play and perform. Together, we three have a united imaginative conception, we know what we want, and where we're heading. On the other side of the coin though, I still very much enjoy giving my solo performance, I have deep scores to settle and every time I get a guitar in my hands and a mic in front of me, the story unfolds a little further."

 

You have also released a number of songs with Futurejack. One of these is ‘Read My Lips’, a fine rock ‘n’ roll song with punchy drums and a fine chorus. What is this song about and what influenced it?

"This song is about when you're trying to tell your (who you deemed to be, 'life') partner something that will benefit them at a primal level and they just don't listen, ever!  You feel like you're knocking your head against a brick wall and because they avidly don't want to listen and improve themselves as a human being, well, then it's 'back door exit time' isn't it...'Read My Lips' is about disenchantment and escape."

 

Any new songs in the pipeline?

"Yes, plenty.  First album of songs is in pre-production stage.  Then second album has already received its title and will bring forth songs such as 'Monsters', 'See The Sun', 'To The Bone' and 'Fuck It'."

 

When can fans be expecting the next official release?

"Wednesday, April 23, 2014 is going to be the official release date for our first album and we'll be having a Futurejack launch party to boot."

 

Do you have any 'rituals' before going on stage?

"Rituals eh! Speaking for myself, no! Not particularly, other than deciding whether it's going to be a 'shoes on' or 'shoes off' performance. As for my fellow Futurejackers, I can't let you into their secrets but it has been known for the three of us to jump in the shower together to shake it all out."

 

Any live dates coming up?

"Thursday 5th December 2013 at Lomax, Cumberland Street, Liverpool, Merseyside with Love Music Promotions."

 

Who would be your dream collaboration?

"Would love to collaborate with either P J Harvey, Bjork, Jarvis Cocker, Brian Molko, Tim Booth (for TwoPints) or Daft Punk."

 

Who would be in your dream super group?

"I already have my dream supergroup in Futurejack thank you, and we have amazing guest musicians on our tracks like Nizha Salim (violinist), The Prof. (saxaphone), Dylan (harps), and future supergroup input from Ged Parker (guitar) and Helen Maher (accordion)."

 

PART 2 - "THE QUICKFIRE ROUND"

Favourite Beatle?

"Lennon."

Favourite band?

"Budgie."

Favourite new band?

"Futurejack."

Favourite song?

"Your Arse, My Place (Elastica)."

Favourite album?

"Portishead, Dummy."

Vinyl, CD or download?

"Tape."

Style icon?

"Mary Quant."

Favourite clothing brand?

"Baby Phat."

Favourite film?

"Firestarter."

Favourite TV show?

"Rainbow."

Who would play you in a film of your life?

"Sissy Spacek."

Favourite food?

"Twiglets."

Football team?

"Tottenham Hotspur."

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Dogstar Rose and Futurejack! Check out our previous feature on Tiki Black!

 

Check out Dogstar Rose here -  https://www.facebook.com/DogstarRoseMusic

  

Check out Futurejack here - https://www.facebook.com/futurejack

 

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

SWOLLEN: Our interview with the superb Tiki Black!

 

PART 1 - "THE INTERVIEW"

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

 

"My gran singing her favourite song. It was soulful, heartfelt and true to her. I wanted to make others feel the way I felt when she sang."

 

Had you been involved with any other bands prior to becoming a solo artist as Tiki Black?

 

"Nope. I didn't grow up associating making music with playing in a band. All I knew is that if I wanted to make music, I needed to have something useful to say that I had not heard before, write the songs and sing them. Then I also realised I had to play them."

 

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

 

"I don't think I purposely chose to become a solo artist. It is just the way I am: when I need something, I work to get it. I don't have the reflex to ask someone else."

 

How would you describe the sound of Tiki Black?

 

"Minimalist, live acoustic with multi-cultural accents, hoping to be universal."

 

You were raised in France and Cameroon and currently reside in Manchester. Would you say your surroundings influence your music and if so, how?

 

"Definitely. I always knew I had to live in England. There is something in the air here that is good for expressing the type of songs I wanted to write. I am thankful for the seeds that Cameroon and France have planted especially since Douala (the Cameroonian city I come from) is a port of multi-cultural inspiration and Paris (my birth town) is such an international and open music platform. I believe though that England had the most rain to water those seeds properly!"

 

In 2009, your song ‘Swollen’ was a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. How did it feel to get this recognition?

 

"I am not sure I understand what it truly means and that may be the reason I never really acted on it. All I wanted was to have my name in the same sentence as John Lennon considering that I was not lucky enough to meet, talk or sing with him."

 

What is this song about and what influenced it?

 

"I spent most of my life observing, listening and following the expected path. That and my unfulfilled dreams were enough to swell me up. I suppose it is a necessary state before any release, album or otherwise. I wrote 'Swollen' when my feet (then my hands) puffed up and made it a nightmare for me to walk (I had a walking stick for a year) as if they refuse to take me further down the path I was on. 'Swollen' was the first song I wrote and reminded me that songwriting and performing were my 'raison d'être'."

 

Your debut album will be called ‘Out of the Black’. Why did you choose this title for your album?

 

"I wanted to summarise the album theme with a positive title. A friend (fellow singer-songwriter and radio presenter-producer Geli) and I brainstormed and came up with 'Out of the Black' which I thought fitted perfectly and I liked the pun with my surname."

 

What can fans be expecting from the album?

 

"A musical space to breathe for 69 minutes and eleven seconds...and a virtual hug!"

 

Do you have any 'rituals' before going on stage?

 

"Yes, panic! Then set up my piano and mic pretending to be completely in control."

 

Any live dates coming up?

 

"Just did Oxjam and the 'Out Of The Black' album launch so I am having a bit of a rest before I tour to promote the album a bit wider. Dates are being arranged for next year in London, Paris and New York. In the meantime, I will be doing Chester in November and I hope to continue to do the North West as per usual! All dates are on my website."

 

Any new songs in the pipeline?

 

"A few. I have started writing my second album since releasing the first one was a bit of an un-blocker for my creative flow. I am actually finishing the title track of my next album but I cannot tell you the title without feeling like it will steal the thunder of this one!"

 

When can fans be expecting the next release?

 

"Wow, I have only just released this one and I planned to take the time required to promote it. I do hope the next one comes out in 2015 with maybe a single by the end of 2014..."

 

Who would be your dream collaboration?

 

"Someone I can make musical love to on stage... Gary Barlow?"

 

Who would be in your dream super group?

 

"It depends on the songs. I wouldn't want every song to have the same instruments just because everyone in the group has to play. There is this song that I co-wrote in 2012 and I always imagined that the song will be at its best with the gentle, expert touches of Boo Hewerdine on the guitar and arrangements (he co-wrote the song); Karine Polwart on vocals (I wish she had done some of the songwriting just because I love the way she writes); John Ellis on piano (I worked with him on the 'Out Of The Black' album and he is amazing); Taffetas on strings (Ibrahima Galissa on kora, Marc Liebeskind on sit-guitar and Christophe Erard on double bass - Marc will no doubt forgive me if I replace him with Anoushka Shankar on sitar); Sidiki Dembele on drums and Baba Galle on flute. I have not picked anyone for cello yet, too many choices."

 

PART 2 - "THE QUICKFRIE ROUND"

 

Favourite Beatle?

 

"John Lennon."

 

Favourite band?

 

"Queen."

 

Favourite new band?

 

"At the moment, it is between Lily and Madeleine (especially the song Back To The River) and Little Rach (every song especially a lovely cover of Olivia's Newton John's You're The One That I Want")."

 

Favourite song?

 

 "Please don't make me choose. Anyway, it changes all the time. At various times it has been, Sankanda (Lambarena), Redemption Song (Marley), Etude In E Minor Op 28 N 4 (Chopin), ninety per cent of Brassens' repertoire, Wind Cries Mary (Hendrix), Marie (Groenemeyer), Show Must Go On (Queen), Myobe Masu (Lotin), Alive (Dingding), You Must Learn (Charles Aznavour), Gaspard (Moustaki), It Ain't Me (Dylan) and I am only stopping for effect!"   

 

Favourite album?

 

"A mixtape of my favourite songs, a small subset of which are above."

 

Vinyl, CD or download?

 

"CD."

 

Style icon?

 

"My gran. I love the fact that she sewed her own clothes and thereby could define her own style. She was extremely stylish but I will settle for comfortable and classic, concepts that seem to vary in interpretations."

 

Favourite clothing brand?

 

"My knowledge of brands is not worth mentioning."

 

Favourite film?

 

"Not been invented yet. But there is a good chance it will be an animated period drama with martial arts and people breaking out from time to time into songs and Bollywood-meet-Hollywood style dance."

 

Favourite TV show?

 

"I don't have a TV...but I suppose I love murder mysteries, specifically Sherlock, Jonathan Creek or Monk."

Who would play you in a film of your life?

 

"A film of my life! Don't be silly!"

 

Favourite food?

 

"...has three essential elements to it: braised fish (preferably salmon or sole but definitely not tuna), chips (freshly peeled and fried in goose fat) or miondo (fermented cassava wrapped in leaves) and leaves stew (spinach or bitter leaves)." 

 

Football team?

 

"You're not getting me involved!"

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Tiki Black! Check out our previous feature on Red Sails!

 

Check out Tiki Black here -  http://www.tikiblack.com/

  

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

 

LOOKING OUT TO SEA: Our latest interview with a Tilt Shift Music band - Red Sails!

 

PART 1 - "THE INTERVIEW"

 

What was your earliest musical memory and what pushed you towards pursuing a career in the music industry?

 

Kieran: "Having a bright red and white plastic Fisher-Price Music Box, then taking it apart to see how it worked (probably by breaking it first) and strumming/plucking it, loved the little brightly coloured records, you could add extra little marks on it to make it a bit different too."

Jamie: "Our mum and dad playing lots of Kinks, Beefheart, Beatles and Stones and old Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee on tapes in the car while we drove to France for holidays in between fall outs and arguments over directions. One of our uncles was a drummer and our folks had some musician mates that would come round as well when we were young playing guitars and that, so that definitely helped."

 

Had you been involved in any other band prior to Red Sails?

 

Kieran: "I've been in bands with Jamie and that's it, Ollie's been involved in some of these too."

Jamie: "We've all been in other bands over the years, me and Kieran being brothers have been in the same ones from when we were kids to now, Ollie's also been involved in some of those along the way, Gray was with The Stands among others, Chris was with The Skylarks among other Liverpool bands."

 

How did Red Sails begin?

 

Kieran: "Initially Red Sails was me, Jamie, Chris and Gray, but then for playing live we needed someone so got Ollie in to play bass and sing and its been working out very well."

Jamie: "It sort of just happened, Chris, Gray, Kieran and myself had got together to do some recording and kept playing together and realised we had something so drafted Ollie in as well and that was it really."

 

Where did the name Red Sails come from?

 

Kieran: "Chris can answer that one."

Jamie: "Chris had heard a Jimmy McGriff tune, 'Red Sails in the Sunset', and liked the name from that, also it sounds kind of abstract as well which can cover a few things and seemed to fit with what we were doing. It kind of fits with the city and of course the football! Although Chris and Ol being Evertonians will no doubt question that..."

 

How would you describe the sound of Red Sails?

 

Kieran: "Harmonies, interesting unusual music with strong melodies, organic, eclectic, sometimes melancholic."

Jamie: "Honest, eclectic, melodic, lots of harmonies, at times a bit melancholic, what's not to like!"

 

One of your more recent songs is ‘Looking Out to Sea’, a fine example of a melancholic pop song. What influenced the song and what is the song itself about?

 

Kieran: "Jamie wrote that one so it's over to him for that." 

Jamie: "Cheers for that, there's definitely a La's influence, but lyrically I suppose about missed chances with a relationship, I didn't realise it at the time but that's basically it."

 

Do you have any 'rituals' before you go on stage?

 

Kieran: "Yes, panic at where my plectrums, capo, water and beer, leads and batteries are, whether I've changed my pedal batteries or not? Check everyone's got a setlist, guitars tuned, that kind of thing!"

Jamie: "Generally just busy trying to remember whether everything's set up and tuned in, whether I got a pint in and where I left the set list!"

 

Any live dates coming up?

 

Kieran: "1st November at Leaf on Bold Street in Liverpool. We're playing as part of City Walls EP launch. Also on the 14th November at The Cavern on Mathew Street in Liverpool, playing for Dave Monks, BBC Introducing."

 

Any new songs in the pipeline?

 

Kieran: "Always, I write all the time, as do Jamie and Chris too."

Jamie: "Always."

 

When can fans be expecting the next release?

 

Kieran: "As soon as we're happy with it and it's done really. We've been recording for a long time and spent an age making sure everything is as we want it. We're in the final straight and almost finished now, all the hard work we've put in is really starting to show and we're really excited with how she's shaping up."

Jamie: "The next one's pretty much already written but we just need to finish this one first and get out promoting it. We're always demoing stuff so its looking."

 

Who would be your dream collaboration?

 

Kieran: "Brian Wilson, Arthur Lee, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Danger Doom and Sly Stone."

Jamie: "Grizzly Bear always have something interesting going on, same with Tame Impala for me."

 

Who would be in your dream supergroup?

 

Kieran: "James Jamerson, Mr. Bass; Buddy Rich, Mr. Drums; Marvin Gaye on piano and vocals (strictly no dancing); Steve Cropper and Jimi Hendrix on guitar; Stevie Wonder on keys and The Sweet Inspirations on background vocals. I'd be happy checking them out for sure."

Jamie: "We've got it already!"

 

PART 2 - "THE QUICKFIRE ROUND"

 

Favourite Beatle?

 

Kieran: "Tricky, I'd have to go with the left hand side of Paul McCartney and the right hand side of John Lennon."

Jamie: "George."

Ollie: "Depends on the day."

Gray: "Ringo."

 

Favourite band?

 

Kieran: "The Funk Brothers / Sly And The Family Stone."

Jamie: "Stones."

Ollie: "Swing Out Sister."

Gray: "The Band."

 

Favourite new band?

Jamie: "It changes too much for me to give just one band."

Ollie: "Lumin Bells."

Gray: "Haven't got one."

 

Favourite song?

 

Kieran: "All I Wanna Do by The Beach Boys."

Jamie: "Like A Rolling Stone."
 

Favourite album?

 

Kieran: "SMiLE by The Beach Boys."

Jamie: "Emm, Get Yer Ya Ya's Out or Let It Bleed."

Gray: "Harvest."

 

Vinyl, CD or download?

Kieran: "Vinyl for the cigar, HD tracks for the ears."

Jamie: "Vinyl but I'm lazy and like the idea of downloading tunes within a few seconds - the recording quality is generally shite though compared to vinyl or CD."

Ollie: "Vinyl."

Gray: "Vinyl."

 

Style icon?

Kieran: "Stevie Wonder, eighties era."

Jamie: "Borat."

Gray: "James Dean."

 

Favourite clothing brand?

Kieran: "It's not about the name, it's about the style."

Jamie: "Merc."

Gray: "Cos."

 

Favourite film?

Kieran: "The Big Lebowski."

Jamie: "Life Of Brian."

Gray: "The Goonies."

 

 Favourite TV show?

Jamie: "Don't really watch a lot of TV but Breaking Bad was boss."

Ollie: "Gavin & Stacey."

Gray: "Breaking Bad."

 

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Ollie: "Dale Winton."

Gray: "Ewan McGregor."

 

Favourite food?

Kieran: "Rhubarb crumble, basically any crumble."

Jamie: "Lasagne."

Ollie: "Crispy chili beef with half rice and half chips."

Gray: "Right now...Turkish."

 

Football team?

Kieran: "Liverpool!"

Jamie: "Liverpool."

Ollie: "EFC."

Gray: "LFC."


Hope you enjoyed this feature on Red Sails! Check out our previous feature on Mick Flaherty!

 

Check out Red Sails here - https://www.facebook.com/RedSailsBand

 

Check out Tilt Shift Music here - http://www.tiltshiftmusic.com/

  

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

NEXT TO THE SEA: Our interview with Liverpool based Mick Flaherty!

 

PART 1 - "THE INTERVIEW"

 

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

 

"Probably hating music as a child, then discovering metal and then punk around twelve years old and for the first time having something resonate with me. Obviously Chris De Burg and New Kids on The Block just didn't have an emotional impact on me. Though I can recall hearing Iron Lion Zion aged about ten and having a fondness for it, as well as some of the music my dad listened too when I was a child, the likes of The Police and early U2. So that always has a nostalgic value to me."

 

Had you been involved with any other bands prior to becoming a solo artist as Mick Flaherty?

 

"The last band I was in prior to becoming solo was a band called Serren Fore. I was the bassist, and did no vocal parts at all. So it's been a bit of a change the last few years I guess ."

 

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

 

"Necessity more than anything else. I had spent a few months of putting out adverts trying to find other musicians of a similar mind set and approach and found it was not getting anywhere so I eventually bit the bullet and just went for it, otherwise I could have easily been still sat at home two or three years later writing music and never getting out there. I suppose I haven't looked back since and I now have total creative freedom in regards to writing and no personality clashes. Though I have been doing a few rehearsals with a drummer and a bassist with the intention of having the option to create a bigger live sound, so hopefully that will come to fruition in the near future."

 

How would you describe the sound of Mick Flaherty?

 

"I really wish I knew, It would make things easier. I know that I'm not your typical Scouse/Northern sound. I did have a local music publication describe me as a tortured soul pouring his neurosis into the melting pot and unleashing something between fragility and potent slabs of power with avant garde folk styling's and the darkest of electronica. So read into that what you will haha."

 

You have recently released a double A-sided single featuring ‘Next to the Sea’ and ‘Where Did We Go Wrong”. The single has quite powerful artwork that reflects the music well, do you consider the artwork to be an important component when releasing music?

 

"I try to put images to words and sounds. That particular piece was me with a camera on one of my walks to pass the time and I'm also a visual artist too, so I view music the same way in the sense that I see it as painting landscapes with sound. It wasn't an intentional piece for that song, but when it came to using something visual it seemed the most fitting and I have tended to stick with it as such. I'm actually really pleased you like it to be honest as I try not to judge anything myself due to being terribly self critical at times."

 

‘Next to the Sea’ is a great modern folk song. What influenced the song and what is the song itself about?

 

"It comes from the recollections of a couple of days spent with a girl who completely captured not just my heart, but my mind and soul in a way that no one else ever has. We spent a few days camping on a beach and it was a magical time for me. However, these things never go smoothly and by that point we had become very close as friends in the months prior to that, without ever getting to spend much time together due to the physical distance that was often there. So to spend that time together was like a tightrope of do I risk breaking this amazing bond or do I accept the situation for what it is. Then time moves on, the physical distance becomes an issue and as such over time the emotional connection begins to reflect that distance. I think it was a case of looking at one of those what if moments and trying to move on from there, though half still wishing that things could have possibly turned out differently under different circumstances really."

 

‘Where Did We Go Wrong’ contrasts the other track as it almost has an electronic backbeat. What is this song about and what influenced it?

 

"Again lyrically I'm trying to put my own demons behind me. The breakdown of a relationship that started in the most amazing of circumstances, the sleepless nights spent with things eating up the back of your mind and the realisation of only you can get out of it yourself. I suppose in a way it's a sense of closure and a message of self empowerment with the realisation of discovering that at the end of it, was that person you were at that point in your life actually really you, or were you filling a role to satisfy the perceptions of someone else. Musically the piece came about from me playing around with one of Ben Howards songs on guitar, and due to having a short attention span with guitar tabs I find I just end up playing about in a particular tuning or picking pattern and an hour or so later I've forgot what I was intending to do and ended up with the basis for a song idea. The lyrics were taken near enough as full from an older song that I had discarded and just worked rhythmically with very little editing. Though I did find myself reworking the second verse and outro."

 

Do you have any 'rituals' before going on stage?

 

"I never drink before I play and other than that I think it would just be the on stage set up and the order of how I do it. I suppose that is more logistical than anything, but it has become a ritual in itself. The pre show alcohol ban could also be classed as such, I have too many leads, inputs/outputs, volume levels and things that can go horribly wrong to approach it any other way haha."

 

Any live dates coming up?

 

"As of the time of writing, I have a support slot for the excellent 'Black Mountain Lights' at the Zanzibar Club in Liverpool on October 26th. If any promoters wish to offer me any more shows then I'm more than willing to oblige. Little hint there!"

 

Any new songs in the pipeline?

 

"There are still two or three half finished recordings from what was intended to be an EP release which I will hopefully get finished at some point. Though I have got another five on the go. To which I've finished three and been testing them at a couple of open mics. Other than that I've also been revisiting a few older ones that I haven't got around to recording, or played in a while. So there will always be something in the pipeline. I find I get bouts of writers block, then suddenly three or four song ideas just come out of nowhere. So as I say, there will be always something, even if it remains half finished for six months it will be revisited and completed at some point."

 

When can fans be expecting the next release?

 

"Unfortunately it all comes down to finances on that point. I did hope to have a five track EP set for physical release before September, but my funds dried up on that front and as such I had two tracks that I felt were at a level I was happy with to put out there. On the plus side I have had some label interest regarding some of my techno ideas so I'm currently discussing the terms of publishing rights with them. So who knows. Fingers crossed it won't be too long in that sense. Again, I'm going to be a little cheeky and throw the offer out there to anyone willing to invest...well if you don't ask!"

 

Who would be your dream collaboration?

 

"Paco De Lucia, Claude Debussy and Aphex Twin...interesting!"

 

Who would be in your dream super group?

 

"Liz Frazer on vocals, DJ Shadow programming beats, Jimi Hendrix on guitar and Les Claypol on bass...maybe with Immortal Technique doing his thing over the top of it with some spoken word from Gill Scott Heron."

 

PART 2 - "THE QUICKFIRE ROUND"

 

Favourite Beatle?

 

"Here's where I get controversial now and say I've never really been a big Beatles fan. However, I would be torn between John, for the fact he stood for something and found ways to channel that anger of his youth into something else later in his life, and George because he was understated and overlooked for the quality musician that he was and obviously very much in touch with his spiritual side. As such, I'm picking George."

 

Favourite band?

 

"I think I'm going to have to go for Radiohead."

 

Favourite new band?

 

"I'm going to have to pick two different solo artists who have been a big influence on me as of late...First up Silent cities aka Simon Maddison, and Denis Jones. If your not familiar with either, check them out."

 

Favourite song?

 

"It's not a song, but I think that Fryderyk Chopins nocturne op. 9 no. 1 in b flat minor is probably the most amazing composition that has ever graced my ears."

 

Favourite album?

 

"Again, these things change with my moods, but as of late I've been giving OK Computer and For Hero For Fool by Subtle repeated listens."

 

Vinyl, CD or download?

 

"I love vinyl, but I think for practicality (and my age group) I'd have to say CD...though the idea of downloads are still a little magical to me. However, I like a physical product as such. I think it becomes more valued in that sense."

 

Style icon?

 

"I think one would look at me and would suggest I probably don't have one!"

 

Favourite clothing brand?

 

"I think most of my wardrobe has been donated to me by others once they've found their clothing has gotten too small. Materialism has never been big on my agenda."

 

Favourite film?

 

"The Good The Bad And The Ugly."

 

Favourite TV show?

 

"I'm not a watcher of TV. I find it a tool of perception management and culture creation from the top down. So at a push I would have to pick something subversive like Family Guy. Though I take things on recommendation, so I might just get around to starting Game of Thrones at some point soon, then Breaking Bad (once the hype has died down)!"

 

Who would play you in a film of your life?

 

"I'm going to be really unoriginal and say Johnny Depp, just because he is an amazing actor and not just because he is better looking than me. Plus he had Hunter S. Thompson down to perfection. Who is a bit of a hero of mine."

 

Favourite food?

 

"I've spent many years working in catering, so I avoid fast food as much as possible. I don't think I'd have a favourite food. Good food is like good music, it is varied in tastes and has different impacts for what it is. The main thing is a good balance of flavours and textures. Though I enjoy the social aspect of a good meal really, and if possible, over a charcoal grill on a Mediterranean beach with friends and good wine!"

 

Football team?

 

"Everton FC."

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Mick Flaherty! Check out our previous feature on Derek King!

 

Check out Mick Flaherty here - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mick-Flaherty-Music/160357820655819?id=160357820655819&sk=info

 

Check out Serren Fore here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aehppRP5NiI

  

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