Jamie Liddell Interview

6 months ago 12th May 09:10

And I think that that is the key to making it really rock the right amount of preparation and then the right amount of absolutely letting go of that when recording and just going with whatever feels good, just being able to go ‘oh listen to that that sounds way better.’ You have got to have your rules but you have to break them if something better comes along.

How difficult was it to follow up Multiply and Multiply additions was it daunting going back into the studio having been so successful?

Yeah it was a little bit going back was really fun but it was daunting writing I think, that is always the hard part, thinking what am I going to do? How am I going to be able to write enough material that I’m going to be happy with and achieving that quality?

I think I became more aware, working with Mocky, on what it takes to write a good pop song and it’s a lot of work and it doesn’t come easy to me, it’s not my first language shall we say, but that part of the fun of it the real struggle to keep it feeling fresh every time we had a new track. But once we had ten that were ready to go we were cruising and it was fun.

How does the writing process work for you?

(laughs) It’s odd, I become odd, I just kind of hang about in the street and try and ride on weird buses. I look at people and look at things and become quite reclusive then I take stock of things around me. I become quite difficult to be around.

How and why did you get involved in music?

I got involved in music because I loved it since I was a kid it was the thing people encouraged me to do, although my dad wanted me to become a scientist and I went to university and studied physics and philosophy and got my degree so it could have all been very different. Music was my hobby and it still it.

And how would you describe your music?

Well I have made a lot in my time and, like I say, I have always been into and I have always wanted to use my time to make music. I guess twenty years have led me down a lot of paths I have made a lot of electronic stuff, a lot of abstract music, techno, house, weird brooding stuff but now I have found a real pop sensibility and I’m really enjoying the shoes.

You are currently with Warp records why did you sign with them?

Well back in the day I was a massive fan of Afex Twin, and we talking about early nineties, and it was my dream, as a musician making electronic music, to be on Warp it’s the most prestigious label there was. I started to become friends with Tom and he heard the record I had made for a friend of his and he put in a good word at Warp and one thing led to another and I was suddenly on the label I always wanted to be on.

And what are the benefits of being on an independent label ?

When they are behind you they really work it on a personal level, they take personal pride in it, in a way that you can’t guarantee to get in a bigger organisation. It’s just one of those things, like a family run business the food tastes better.

Your first single to be lifted off the new album is Little Bit of Feel Good any particular reason why you released this record first?

Well it was a group decision. I made a bunch of songs I liked and I always have the philosophy that anything could be a single so I let the label decide and they were really into that one and I was like ‘great’.

I was easy I was like you can chose any of these songs they all could be singles, that was kind of my intention in a way, so I really didn’t mind. Singles are really an odd thing in this day and age I don’t think they have the relevance they used to perhaps but it’s fun.

Justin Stanley had a hand in producing the album, he has worked Beck and The Vines, how was working with him?

He is great he is amazing Justin a real character, he is married to Anita Costa as well who is a singer and great artist. There house is where we recorded most of the album and it was just an idyllic setting, they really are the kind of couple that I envy they are blissfully happy, they have money but they are not opulent or showy with it, they have got this great place with a pool in the back garden and a small studio, it’s just like the good life the bloody good life. And being around them they just exude this positivety and it’s very genuine, he’s Australian and she’s a very unique American spirit.

You are also in a band called Super Collider how does the band experience differ from working with as a solo artist?

Yeah I haven’t really worked with Christian for a while, Christian and I are Super Collider, there are only two of use so it’s not so much a band experience. I have never actually had a band til now and this first tour with Jim is my first band and I’m loving it it’s odd for me to be a band leader and dishing out the orders.

Well that was my next question you have just kicked off some dates here in the UK how important is it for you to get on the road?

Well I like to feel the wind in my hair and so as long as that’s happening I’m happy. It’s really important it’s one thing doing things in the studio where it’s very comfortable and you can do it again or come back the next day but on the stage you have got to do it and make it happen.

As a musician it’s the ultimate really seeing if the music really works and that’s how you see how things are going, I was at Totos last night and there were a thousand people there and I was like yeah this is really working.

And how are the shows going?

They are great really sweet we have had a bout ten now, which is just about the right number to have settled in like the band really know what they are doing and I know what I’m doing, I even know the words to my own songs (laughs). So no it’s really fun and the show are starting to get to be about the extra stuff now.

Finally what’s next for you?

I don’t know maybe TV and film or perhaps I will start my own perfume line.

Or write a book

Or write a book yeah, maybe it’s a bit early for that I need a few bits to write about

If Hannah Montana can do it at 15

Oh well that’s true (laughs) well you never know either that or gardening.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw

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