You’ve released the album in the US and now its hitting the shops in the UK, what are you going to be doing to promote it?
Well hopefully we’re going to do a tour, I am personally coming over to the UK for a holiday, but hopefully the band will follow me!
How daunting is it trying to break into the mainstream charts at a time when so many other bands are trying to do the same thing?
I would say that obviously the industry is not the same is it was in the past so I think I will be optimistic and say that it is still daunting but only in the respect that you have to find your own creative ways within the band rather than subscribing to one formula.
You have to do something that’s really creative, for example, the OK:GO video on the treadmills, and at the time there was no other videos like that. I think it’s just really important for bands to be as creative and clever as they can be and it will happen naturally.
What sets you apart from all the other wannabe bands?
We don’t take ourselves terribly seriously, which I think is one of our good points because there are a lot of bands around that do and I’m not saying that’s a bad thing but it’s something which sets us apart. Plus we also have a strong online presence, which a lot of bands also do, but we’re quite particular about having control over our online personalities.
How did you come up with your band name?
I’m not the person to ask, Neal came up with the name but we usually give the response that we’re animal lovers and so the name Mink is not a reference to the mink coat but is more of a homage to the animal; which is a cheeky little sexy animal!
Where would you like to be in 10 years time?
In Vanuatu just having a cocktail! But seriously, I guess if you’re still playing music in a band after 10 years, no matter who you are or who you’re playing with, it’s very rare and special and just being and playing after 10 years I just very rewarding no matter where you are.
What are you up to in the near future?
Well the near future is the main reason why I’m making this phone call from my bed as we’re playing Fuji Rocks in two days in Japan so I’m going to Japan for the first time ever! I’m jealous of myself because I’ve never been and I’ve watched Lost In Translation so many times! I’m really looking forward to it and it’s definitely the most exciting thing coming up for us, I don’t think any of us (except Nick) have ever been to Japan before.
We ask everyone we interview to come up with a question for the next person we interview....and Joel Stoker from The Rifles wants to know; “What would you be doing if you weren’t in a band?”
That’s a good one…If I could cook I’d love to be a chef! So that’s two actually because I’d love to actually be able to cook, and I’d also like to be a chef! I think cooking is a really attractive thing. Obviously every musician want’s to be involved in the art in some respect, but if it was something different from music then I would love to have a restaurant somewhere…not too expensive food though!
And what would you like to ask my next interviewee?
If they’re from America, as them What do they think of the Hilary Clinton pant suit combo. She has like one uniform and she never wears a dress and I want to know what they think are the perks of a pant suit combo!
Find out Melee's response very soon.
FmelaeFirst - Ruth Harrison