Bombay Bicycle Club | Interview | Ticket Giveaway: TBD | April 27
Prior to my interview I was advised by one of my friends that it would be lame to bring up their "sexy" English accent. Just in case you were wondering, I did not bring up their accent and yes, it was sexy. Ed Nash was sequestered inside his tour bus and heading off to their next show in San Diego for the night when he called. Ed and the band have been on tour for about 4 weeks with a couple more to go for the release of their new album, 'So Long, See you Tomorrow'. I had the pleasure of speaking to Ed and finding out the inspiration behind their new album along with his thoughts on American girls. Stay tuned for a chance to win tickets to see them perform live at The Gothic next Sunday April, 27th.
Q: I read that back in High School your band use to be called The Canals...What prompted the change to Bombay Bicycle Club?
A: "Well the band was headed off to a show in England and they were unhappy with their name at the time. They happened to drive past an Indian food restaurant called, "Bombay Bicycle Club" and who knows perhaps the old name was better."
Q: You covered 'Fairytale Lullaby' by legendary English folky John Martyn--so you're obviously knowledgeable about the musical history. Who are some of the artists in the same vein who have influenced you?
A: "Some of the artists that have influenced us have been Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell, actually there is a lot of Joni's influence in our new album. While we were recording 'Fairytale Lullaby' we recorded two impromptu John Martyn songs which also happened to inspire 2 or 3 other songs including, 'Ivy and Gold' and 'Towers.'"
Q: What do you think of your American Contemporaries and who has been your favorite band to play with?
A: "Royal Canoes, who we are on tour with now has been my favorite band to play with. There is just quite nothing like their sound."
Q: So you recently played Coachella, how was this music festival different from other big festivals in Europe?
A: "Coachella is this oasis in the middle of the desert. Ya know, we're use to playing for drunken people in a muddy field and Coachella was just these beautiful people in this oasis."
Q: Tell me a little about your new album? One song that I've been listening to a lot is 'Feel' which is slightly different from some of the other songs on the album, but definitely gets you up and dancing. What is your favorite song to play on 'So Long, See You Tomorrow'?
A: "Our new album kind of picks up where our last album left off. It is pretty bouncy and full of some future funk. There is also a lot more of that bass and drums in there as well. I would have to say that 'Feel' is my favorite song to play too. It gets the crowd up and dancing, which is what we really want."
Q: I've noticed that your new album transcends the traditional: vocals, guitar, drums, and bass. There are a lot of new instruments introduced. What instrument has been the most fun/weirdest that you've learned?
A: "I've tried my hand at a couple of different things. I tried playing the clarinet, but that wasn't pleasant for everyone involved. I've also played the mandolin a couple times live on stage. I actually was a guitarist before I joined the band, but they needed a bassist so I learned the bass when I joined back in 2005."
Q: Which band member is the most likely to end up in a Mexican jail on a Wednesday night?
A: "I think that Rich has already had that happen a couple times this tour. But really we are all old men, we like to be in bed by 8 and up at 4."
Q: And lastly, what do you guys think of American girls?
A: "They are definitely more friendly and talkative than English girls. You can have a normal conversation with them after the shows too."
Q: Anything else you want to add?
A: "Yeah, tell people to come say hi after we're finished playing, we like to talk to you guys."
-McClain Morris
