Following on from the release of his latest EP The Whole Picture Coventry's finest singer-songwriter, and a favourite here at C90, has spoken to us recently about his new EP and other plans.
Your latest EP 'The Whole Picture' has come out recently, tell us a little about it?
It's a six track EP that I have recorded over a number of months in my friends garage studio. The songs are inspired by a range of things and I have really enjoyed recording then. A number of different musicians have joined me on the EP.
The EP itself has come out as a pay what you want release both as a download and as a limited edition CD. The CD copies come in hand made covers that I have lovingly put together myself and you also get two copies of the EP, one to keep and one to pass on to someone who think would like it!
The EP is out on Lazy Acre records more commonly known for their Norwegian bands how the collaboration between them and yourself com about?
I have known Ben for a number of years but we have only met a couple times! We have exchanged numerous emails and tweets over the years and have always talked about releasing something by me. So when I finished Whole Picture EP Ben was very keen to release it on the label.
How did the idea of giving away an EP for every one bought come about?
It was just something that I came up with on the back of sharing music I like with people. I often tell people about new music I discover and thought that if I put two copies of the EP in people could pass one on to someone who would like it!
What would you say are your biggest influences? (musical or otherwise)
Musically I listen to a real range of bands like Elbow, Mumford And Sons, Idlewild and Aqualung. In terms of influences for this music I love the two Laura Marling records and Ryan Adams acoustic songs are quite a big influence on me. I also like the classic Damien Rice album O but I don't think his next album is quite as strong.
As a singer-songwriter would you say you wrote in an autobiographical way?
My lyrics are influenced by a real range of things on this EP. The songs on my first EP 'Fingerprint' were mainly
about my family and personal experiences. The songs on Whole Picture are influenced by a range of things really. The lead track is influenced by a time a went swimming with my little girl and "Beyond the Flags" is influenced by a story of an iron water swimmer. So I don't always write autobiographically. Songs start in all sorts of ways sometimes with just an idea for a good title!
Have you got any future plans? More records, downloads, a tour?
The next few months are very much about promoting Whole Picture through house shows and screen gigs, which is where I regularly play live gigs from my kitchen that you can watch on http://www.stylusboy.co.uk/screengigs
After that i will be looking at new songs maybe through some collaborations. Maybe exploring how to release new songs, monthly releases and maybe an album. I am collecting alot of film footage and live audio from my gigs so would like to release some of that too.
What would be your ideal gig?
I would love to play Glastonbury and the Union Chapel in London. Really my ideal gigs are anywhere where people will listen and enjoy my songs. It doesn't matter how small or how many people really.
And finally, Top 5 records?
Oooh that's a tough one. I'll have to do just for today as it may well be different tomorrow!
PET SOUNDS - The beach boys
OK computer - Radiohead
O - Damien Rice
Songs from the Deep Forest - Duke Special
Asleep at the Back - Elbow
You can keep up with all the latest Stylusboy news by heading over to his website http://www.stylusboy.co.uk/
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