Post by 3 on Nov 21, 2004 16:35:01 GMT 1
Something To Live For
Wine, wistful and song… Ed Harcourt’s life is one of dark tunes and fine song writing. Having released his third album in as many years, he spoke to Chris Long about the joy of touring, autobiographical content and getting swearing past the censors.
Q: Why is the album called Strangers?
A: I don’t know, just because I felt like it! (laughs) I suppose the idea that when someone first falls in love, they’re falling in love with a stranger, they still don’t know that person, and hopefully it stays like that and doesn’t get too comfortable. It’s always nice to have a certain amount of awkwardness in a relationship. It keeps you on your toes.
Q: It seems a very autobiographical album, it that the case?
A: Yeah, it’s all pretty personal. I just wanted to do something that’s going for the heart, not the mind. It might sound cheesy and pretentious but I do want to move people in some form or fashion and connect with them emotionally.
Q: It comes together on Born In The ‘70s. Is that the story of your life?
A: It’s more like my calling card. It’s saying ‘here I am, I’m going to try and create as much vital music as possible.’ Some people might not think that’s vital, but to me, I had the compulsion to make it. The song is cynical but in a playful way. It’s talking about not repeating itself, and in a way, some people might not think that’s the most ambitious thing, but I think it is, to never do the same thing.
Q: It’s also managed to slip a swearword past the censors. How did that feel?
A: You know, I’m just trying to cause controversy and be down with the kids. No, they actually took the **** out, but it’s all cool. It just seemed to fit within the song. It’s this poppy melodic straightforward song, and then it has this little refrain at the end. I love little hooks and twists like that.
Q: You’ve produced three albums in three years. How do you keep finding new ideas?
A: I don’t know. Obviously there’s a rich source within each person’s imagination and if you’re willing to dig deep in there and find something and create something out of it, then you can do it. I guess some people aren’t driven to creating. Some people are scientists and like to dissect and analyse things, and some people are artists who like to paint or write books. You’ve either got the drive or not to express yourself.
Q: Do you think you can carry on at that rate?
A: Absolutely! I’ve got hundreds of songs so if I ever dry up, I can dip back into the back catalogue. I’m writing two albums at the moment, so I’m going to release two albums back to back, one which is dark and heavy and the other one that’s light and there’s some nice acoustic songs and quirky pop songs.
Q: There must be a danger of you exhausting yourself…
A: Yeah, but that’s half the fun of it. It is pretty exhausting and I do get pretty knackered, but it’s not like I’m down a diamond mine with no limbs trying to make ends meet. It’s an amazing existence that I lead. I get to travel round the world and sing songs that I’ve written to hundreds of people, it is pretty mad. And sometimes I get out on stage and think ‘what the hell am I doing here?’ But I love it and I just want to try and blow people’s minds.
Q: Do you think you’re succeeding?
A: I have no idea! Hopefully, sometimes… sometimes not. There’s always going to people that don’t get it or the music goes over their heads. And it’s important to have people like that because if everyone liked what you do, it’d be slightly suspicious.
Wine, wistful and song… Ed Harcourt’s life is one of dark tunes and fine song writing. Having released his third album in as many years, he spoke to Chris Long about the joy of touring, autobiographical content and getting swearing past the censors.
Q: Why is the album called Strangers?
A: I don’t know, just because I felt like it! (laughs) I suppose the idea that when someone first falls in love, they’re falling in love with a stranger, they still don’t know that person, and hopefully it stays like that and doesn’t get too comfortable. It’s always nice to have a certain amount of awkwardness in a relationship. It keeps you on your toes.
Q: It seems a very autobiographical album, it that the case?
A: Yeah, it’s all pretty personal. I just wanted to do something that’s going for the heart, not the mind. It might sound cheesy and pretentious but I do want to move people in some form or fashion and connect with them emotionally.
Q: It comes together on Born In The ‘70s. Is that the story of your life?
A: It’s more like my calling card. It’s saying ‘here I am, I’m going to try and create as much vital music as possible.’ Some people might not think that’s vital, but to me, I had the compulsion to make it. The song is cynical but in a playful way. It’s talking about not repeating itself, and in a way, some people might not think that’s the most ambitious thing, but I think it is, to never do the same thing.
Q: It’s also managed to slip a swearword past the censors. How did that feel?
A: You know, I’m just trying to cause controversy and be down with the kids. No, they actually took the **** out, but it’s all cool. It just seemed to fit within the song. It’s this poppy melodic straightforward song, and then it has this little refrain at the end. I love little hooks and twists like that.
Q: You’ve produced three albums in three years. How do you keep finding new ideas?
A: I don’t know. Obviously there’s a rich source within each person’s imagination and if you’re willing to dig deep in there and find something and create something out of it, then you can do it. I guess some people aren’t driven to creating. Some people are scientists and like to dissect and analyse things, and some people are artists who like to paint or write books. You’ve either got the drive or not to express yourself.
Q: Do you think you can carry on at that rate?
A: Absolutely! I’ve got hundreds of songs so if I ever dry up, I can dip back into the back catalogue. I’m writing two albums at the moment, so I’m going to release two albums back to back, one which is dark and heavy and the other one that’s light and there’s some nice acoustic songs and quirky pop songs.
Q: There must be a danger of you exhausting yourself…
A: Yeah, but that’s half the fun of it. It is pretty exhausting and I do get pretty knackered, but it’s not like I’m down a diamond mine with no limbs trying to make ends meet. It’s an amazing existence that I lead. I get to travel round the world and sing songs that I’ve written to hundreds of people, it is pretty mad. And sometimes I get out on stage and think ‘what the hell am I doing here?’ But I love it and I just want to try and blow people’s minds.
Q: Do you think you’re succeeding?
A: I have no idea! Hopefully, sometimes… sometimes not. There’s always going to people that don’t get it or the music goes over their heads. And it’s important to have people like that because if everyone liked what you do, it’d be slightly suspicious.
courtesy: www.bbc.co.uk