Interview: Alan Pownall

Alan Pownall has found the media furore surrounding him increasing month by month and is now a favourite on Radio 1. Since he picked up a guitar in 2004 he has found himself playing gigs with numerous rising stars including Florence and the Machine, Jack Penate, Laura Marling and Noah and the Whale. His music is very easy going and simplistic in style, which isn't a criticism (much of The Beatles' catalogue could be classed as simplistic), and allows for more scope for his voice to dominate the record. I caught up with him to discuss the album and life on the road.

You went on tour with Adele when you only had a few songs, what did that whole experience do for your confidence?

It was bitter/sweet in many ways. Being there was a great experience but i hadn't been playing for very long so it was very daunting.

Your rise has been pretty meteoric considering you only really picked up a guitar in 2004. How do you handle that?

Six years! Isn't that quite a long time? I don't know, I've been lucky with a few breaks but I don't take it for granted. I've still got a long way to go and that's what keeps it fun and exciting.

You've said you don't consider yourself to have any real 'influences' as such. Do you think that gives you more freedom to try different styles?

Of course I have influences, I just don't consider them perhaps like other writers do. I could write a song and months later i'd notice the similarities to one or many artist I was listening to at the time. But It's subconscious, I've never sat down and tried to write with an idea in mind, I like it to be spontaneous. We are all influenced by our surroundings, I just don't know where to start when I'm asked this question because I know not what influences me and why.

You've been labelled as a folk artist. Do you think that's down to your links with Noah and the Whale and the fact that you fall in the singer-songwriter bracket?

Yes, but I don't really pay attention to all that. I don't see myself as a folk artist at all, and if other people do, well there's very little I can do about it.

How've you found recording the album? How is it sounding?

Making this album was the first time I went into the studio. Before I'd done everything with a mic, guitar and the most basic recording equipment. I learned so much making this record. I can't wait to do it again with a second record. I'm very happy with how it's turned out.

You went on tour with Marina and the Diamonds recently. How did that compare with your earlier touring experiences?

We only did three dates with Marina, and I never met her. The Marina tour doesn't compare to other tours I've done, it was an in out job.

You quit your art course to pursue music. Is that something that you'd like to complete one day?

No, that's behind me. I have no desire to relive that time. I loved it there, but I left for a good reason.

What's next for Alan Pownall?

I'm releasing my debut Album in July.

Interview: NRWO

Florida band NRWO (Nothing Rhymes With Orange) are all set to release their second LP 'The Happiness Struggle' in the UK on May 4th. I caught up with Rich Coccaro to find about a little about the history of the band and to see what we can expect from the album.

How did you guys start out?

When I first started playing I didn't think about joining or starting a band, it kind of just happened. Carl was doing some singing on his own, he always wanted to sing in the band that I was trying to put together.. I wouldn't let him.. I told him he sounded and looked too much like that Bono dude.. Eventually after years of abuse and nagging, I gave in.. from then on we just started writing songs..

The both of us started getting into music and following bands at a very young age. My first show was The Police - Syncronicity Tour. Probably shouldn't have told you that because now you have an idea of how old I am.. Well I was about four or five.. Yeah, I made my dad take me.. That was kinda of the starting point. My first show was in a stadium and I was five.. that says it all..We've always had the mentality of writing BIG songs that could hold up in a stadium or an arena and I think that is reflective of the bands that we grew up listening to. I mean it's a bit more diverse these days but growing up with The Smiths, Oasis, u2, even Springsteen and Petty.. So that's where we've always wanted to go..

How does this record differ from your previous offering, 'Hello Mysterious'?

It's much better! That's the biggest difference I think..I wanted this album to be about songs that are simple and honest. I lent a hand in the writing a bit and tried to get Carl to go in a different direction from the past record. There were a lot of obscure references and I, as I'm sure most, had a problem connecting with. We were trying to be a band that we were not or will ever be and I don't even know what band that is..I think we've always had a much more understanding of what kind of band we don't want to be then the band we want to be. So With this album it was the two of us with an acoustic guitar taking personal experiences, stories, things that happened on a daily basis, relationships, etc. you know the usual, and just letting it go. This is how it is..

You're influenced by a lot of British bands. What do you think British bands offer than American bands don't?

I’m really not sure. Not to say that America doesn't have a ton of great bands I just think Britain has more. To me it's about great songs and less about who can be the most successful, make the most money in the shortest time. I think there is more longevity with bands from the UK. Primarily because I think the songwriting is better and the fans connect more with those types of bands..

You've supported the likes of RHCP and Doves, how did that feel?

It was good. Anytime you get an opportunity to play with bands that have inspired you in some way, it makes the shows that much more exciting. Also keeps us on top of our game. If we're supporting an act of that size, we better not suck!

What have you got planned for the rest of the year?

With the release of The Happiness Struggle, we'll be heading back to the UK in August. Then hopefully a follow up tour in the states, and then hopefully a follow up to that tour in the UK, then back to the states... I don't want to go home, I'd rather just live on the road. Well maybe a week or two back home would be nice.. and I say that now but a month into it and I'll probably want to be back home doing nothing..

How has British reaction to you differed from in the US?

The reaction so far has been pretty much the same all around, which is good and surprising. I think it's still a bit early to know for sure but we're hoping both sides take a liking.. We've always focused more on the UK because we just felt it was a better place to get our music
across.. As I mentioned before I just think there's more of an appreciation for music in Britain. If it's takes a while to break America then so be it..I think America needs their music spoon fed to them, so if that's the case, we'll do it. One at a time if need be. You always hear about bands breaking the UK before the US. Take Kings Of Leon. Perfect example.

What 3 tracks of yours should we track down and love?

Headlines And Deadlines
Escaping Hell
The Happiness Struggle...
and the rest of the album..

There's a place in Wales called Blorenge, which does rhyme with Orange. Does this make you sad?

I actually think I've heard that before.. but no it doesn't make me sad. If anything, glad. Because now maybe we can change the name of the band.

Active Child Remix: Steve Mason, Lost and Found

The steady, tinny drumbeat from Steve Mason's latest single 'Lost and Found', along with the atmospheric vocals, always hinted its remix potential and now Active Child has stepped up and produced it. The remix has been described as 'sci-fi tinged' and the layers of synths and keyboards do sound like they belong in an indie sci-fi flick. Despite the relentless pace througout most of the track Active Child has still managed to produce a very chilled out remix and you can find it here.

You can also check out the single in its original format below.

Watch: Biffy Clyro, Bubbles

Biffy Clyro's latest release is undoubtedly one of the highlights of 'Only Revolutions' with its (excuse the pun) bubbling verses and rousing sing-a-long chorus. However, the major draw for many is the inclusion of a solo by Josh Homme of QOTSA. It's a sign of how far Biffy Clyro have come, as well as the strength of their music philosophy, that they have been able to attract such a name.

“Someone like Josh, it’s like he’s a musical lifer,” says vocalist/guitarist Simon Neil. “We are as well, and I think when you meet people you can see in their eyes whether they really mean it or not. It’s kind of weird being friends with someone who’s a hero like Josh, but I see in him what I see in myself and he sees in us what he saw in himself, that kind of hunger and willingness and doing it for the right reasons. It’s really easy to connect with people because of that.”

The single is due for release on April 26th ahead of their UK tour. You can find the dates for the tour and the video for the single below.

April

29th – Perth, Concert Hall.
30th – Sheffield, O2 Academy.

May

1st – Blackpool, Empress Ballroom.
3rd – Leicester, De Montfort Hall.
4th – Portsmouth, Guildhall.
5th – Bristol, Colston Hall.
6th – London, Hammersmith Apollo.