INTERVIEW: MILBURN
- Posted on September 7, 2007 11:42 AM
- 3 comments
By Zarina Raja
Milburn are set to shake up the indie scene and sprinkle it with flurries of northern charm and a damn good new album 'These Are The Facts' which will be released on 24th September.
We got the chance to talk to the lovely Joe Carnall of Milburn who is on bass/vocals. We discussed their new record, tennis and Joe's suggestion to how he would survive if all the money goes...
Hey Joe! Your new single ‘What Will You Do? (When The money Goes) is out soon – can you sum it up in a few words for me?
Aggressive, dark and meaningful.
What makes it so meaningful?
Well, in a lyrical sense you know. We are more passionate about what we are singing about in this tune. If it means something to us then hopefully it will mean something to a lot of people.
Where does Milburn draw inspiration from writing this song?
We had our debut album out last year and so have been around for a while, we have met some characters and it is kind of inspired by somebody we met along the way. Unfortunately, I can’t go in to that because I might get done!
So, Joe, what will Milburn do when the money goes?
That’s a good question, I don’t know. My brother is the guitarist and said the other day he would probably end up being a roadie. And I would love to be…a tennis player or something.
Do you play tennis a lot?
Nah – I just played this afternoon and that’s why I said it.
Are you any good?
Not particularly, no.
Our favourite question that Seatwave like to ask is what is the most memorable gig you have been to as a fan?
As a fan, that’s a gooden. Most memorable - possibly not the best though - is when we went over to Japan. We went to do the Fuji Rock festival. As soon as we got off the plane, we were whisked off to the festival. We drove for miles and then when we got to the festival, all the hills were lit up because it’s in this valley. We just walked straight into the middle of the festival, the only English people there – surrounded by all these Japanese people. As we got to the main stage, the Chilli Peppers came on. So that was a surreal but memorable experience.
Have you been to any gigs that you thought were rubbish?
All music is great when it’s live. Although, I saw Snow Patrol last year when we did a festival and I weren’t very impressed. I got a bit bored – they seem like nice lads though so I can’t really have a go. Oh well, I went backstage and had a drink after wards there was a Jacuzzi too…
So things picked up a bit then?
Yeah!
What’s the most memorable gig that Milburn have played?
We did the Koko last year in London which was good. It’s such a nice place. It was sold out too and there was such a great atmosphere. We also did one last year at the University in Sheffield which was crazy.
Speaking of fans, I read somewhere that you said your fans up north are better than your London fans?
No, I think that might have been quoted out of context there! Generally, the fans up north in Newcastle and Glasgow tend to be a bit crazier. I don’t know if it’s something that they drink or eat, who knows? They are just a bit more mental.
Are London fans more reserved then?
They can be, but we have always had a great reception so I can’t slag off London as they have always been great for us.
Well, I’m glad we have cleared that up. Is there any band in particular that you listened to as you were growing up that made you realize that you wanted to be a musician?
We started out as a band when we were 14, so what’s that - ‘96/97? The band that was big at that time was Stereophonics. There first album is what will make them go down in history, despite what your opinions of them are now. That was the band that made us think we could write songs.
What else did you guys listen to in your teenage years?
We were all over the place. We listened to the Chilli Peppers, The Strokes when they came out – even bands like The Specials and The Jam. Another band that did come into our collection was Rage Against The Machine. I know it’s weird because we are a little indie band and they are a completely different kettle of fish, but we can still appreciate their music.
Sheffield is pretty big on the music scene – how do you think you differ from the other bands? Or are you happy being part of it?
With this album, we have tried to set ourselves apart a bit more. We have tried to be a bit more mature in a lyrical sense and also trying different musical sounds. Personally, I think the single is original in the sense that is darker than previous things we have done. We have stripped it all back. The first verse is just vocals with some miscellaneous sounds banging around. It just has random things going on which we wouldn’t have dared to do on the first album.
Do you think you have progressed or completely changed in direction?
Its definite progression. Not a complete change but a big bend.
Will you continue to change or do you think you have found your ‘sound?’
I think we will carry on changing; it’s suicidal for a band to stay static. That’s a big criticism from me about Oasis, they have stayed where they are for fourteen or fifteen years and I think they have not produced anything exciting for a while. Blur, however, did the Brit Pop thing and then went on to produce other pieces of music. I’ve got a lot of respect for bands that make a risk when they are changing.
Who us your current favourite band on the music scene?I’ve got the new Kings of Leon album but generally we tend to dig into older stuff. The last 50 years have been so good for music that we have to investigate. I just saw the Dead 60’s actually, they were really good live.
Is there a band that you would like to play with?
I would like to play with The Coral because I think the musicianship on their album is just brilliant. They are very 60’s orientated with heir sound and that’s the angle we are coming from.
Your new album is to be released at the end of September. What is your personal favourite song from it?
Maybe the last song. It’s called ‘the genius and the tramp.’ It’s a completely different thing we have tried to do with it. It starts off acoustic and then brings a piano and in backing vocals, then we bring in trumpets and violins. Its just one of them like… experiments. It’s like one of those drawings where you just chuck things at it and it turns out really good. It’s the freedom to do what you want!
Are your lyrics as important as your music for Milburn?
I think in equal measure. We are very much focused on the music so that has got to be up to standard. But, if the lyrics aren’t very good, it will soon fizzle out and there will be no enthusiasm for a song - vocals are very important.
When producing your album, you must be spending a lot of time together. Does anyone have any annoying habits?
We all tend to argue now and again. Some of us don’t know how to use the dish washer and stuff like that…Not mentioning any names ‘cos I’ll get done.
Are you living together?
No, we all still live at home because there is no real reason to move out yet, Sheffield’s a bit more laid back, you don’t need to be in the centre.
What’s you favourite Sheffield venue?
The Leadmill’s pretty good – good sound and atmosphere.
Do you prefer to be in the studio creating new tracks or being on stage?
When you’re in the studio, you are itching to get out there, but when you tour you can’t wait to settle down and start writing. It’s a cycle; most bands will tell you that.
What do you hope to have achieved by this time next year?
I would love to have played Glastonbury.
And lastly, if Milburn could have a super power, what would it be?
nice one…uh, invisibility.
Why?
So that the money would never go – you could just steal it.
Milburn's new single 'What Will You Do (When The money Goes) is out on September 17th.
For more info on Milburn go to thier Myspace at www.myspace.com/Milburn
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Comments (3)
Rass
Great interview... best of luck guys. from what i've heard so far, you deserve it.
Posted on September 9, 2007 3:00 PM
lolly
hey guys... loved the interview. I've just seen the dates for Milburn HMV instores... here they are for everyone else:
Milburn will be playing live and signing copies of their new album These Are The Facts at the following HMV stores:
Mon 24 Sept - 6.00pm - HMV Nottingham - 38 Listergate, Nottingham, NG1 7EE
Tues 25 Sept - 6.00pm - HMV Glasgow - Lewis' Building, Argyle St, Glasgow, G2 8AD
Wed 26 Sept - 6.00pm - HMV Manchester - 90 Market St, Manchester, M1 1PD
Thurs 27 Sept - 6.00pm - HMV London - 150 Oxford St, London, W1D 1DJ
Fri 28 Sept - 6.00pm - HMV Sheffield, 14 High St, Sheffield, S1 2GE
Posted on September 11, 2007 1:54 AM
ross a. ferrone
I saw you guys at B'mth Uni on the 29th & I have to say its great to see a really good band evolving.I saw you there a year ago on the strength of 2 singles & was impressed enough to want to check you out & subsequently loved the show.I went out that very weekend to buy the debut LP which is great.This time round was memorable also for the fact you had a great support in The Metros,& there was a great 'pit'.You obviously like playing down here so see you again next year!
Posted on November 30, 2007 7:02 PM
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