Iain Archer Goes To His Pine Roots

Iain Archer's music isn’t quite what you’d expect from just looking at him, I mean let be honest, he looks like a rough and tumble indie kid, but actually he makes the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard in life.

Okay, so it’s not exactly something to get your groove onto ahead of a night out fuelled by Girls Aloud and a litre of Strongbow - or White Lightening - but if you want to drift away into a pretty world filled with lambs and clouds, Iain is your man; and here he tell you why…

Hello there pretty, how are things going in your lovely world?

I've just come back from a very cold and snowy Ireland and currently I've lost my voice, so a virtual interview where I type rather than talk is just the ticket - thanks!

To anyone who hasn’t heard of you yet, how would you describe your sound?

I sing strong words kinda gently over an acoustic guitar, which I like to pick so that it might echo and pay homage to people like Nick Drake or John Martyn or Davy Graham. I love melody and I aspire to be a good poet. I love other songwriters who were really musical poets - like Van Morrison or Dylan. Beneath the guitar and voice you might hear the stirring of an old harmonium played by my wife Miriam, or a double bass. Think of the sound of someone smiling through tears.

Tell us a bit about the inspiration behind your foxy new album, To The Pine Roots…

The album was recorded during repeated visits to the Schwarzwald in the south of Germany. I would go there and stay in a little house with all my recording equipment and wait for songs to show up. And they always came. We'd light a fire and press record and play into the night. During the day we'd walk in the mountains, by rivers, amongst an ocean of pine trees. The album title came from a Dylan Thomas poem.

Also, what is the idea behind the record?

To The Pine Roots is a hopeful record. Along the way it looks in on lots of life's challenges and acknowledges them. But it doesn't get caught up with that, it looks a little further forward. Also somewhere in there is the sound of someone finding a haven far from the city, and discovering a forgotten part of themselves - this might account for the title. I also wanted this album to include my very musical family, who have taught me so much, and so on more than one song they show up and bring their voices, young and old, to the party.

If you were going to give us just one song of yours to listen to so that you would become our new favourite singer, what would it be?

It would be a song called 'Frozen Lake' which might be called a love song. It's made all the richer by an amazing string arrangement by Oliver Kraus.

And can you sum up your good self in just five words?

Shy loner with patient friends

What makes you stand out from the crowd?

I wear a cape and carry a bow and arrow.

You know we’re having a bit of an economic crisis here at the moment, if people wanted to spend their last £10 on a cd this weekend, why should they buy yours?

You should buy it if you want a slice of hope. The Acrobat and The Nightwatchman will become your friends and you can call on them anytime you need them.

What has been your favourite musical memory to date?

Two weeks ago I was saddened to hear of the death of one of my greatest musical heroes John Martyn. I joined John on tour a few times and even sang with him on stage. To accompany a legend is a memorable thing.

Who do you think is the greatest artist around at the moment?

I loved the Fleet Foxes eponymous debut record. I'm a sucker for mystical folk with a west-coast bent.

If you could only listen to one CD for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Van Morrison, St Dominic's Preview. From it's pop opening to its country-soul highs, through to it's otherworldly, dream-like heart, it's my great landmark.

Okay, now we want to ask you some random questions; What was the last book you read?

Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman

If you had only 9 minutes to live, what would you do in those 9 minutes?

Sing with my family

If you could take over a foreign country tomorrow, which would you take over and what would be your first law?

I've got a really busy day tomorrow.