INTERVIEW: STEPHEN FRETWELL
- Posted on September 10, 2007 11:00 AM
- 0 comments
Interview By Zarina Raja
Stephen Fretwell is a singer/songwriter currently living in Manchester. He has mastered a catchy and polished sound that is pefect for any time, place or mood. He glides through various melancholic feelings but also covers various tracks in a soft, upbeat tone that is impossible not to tap your feet to.
Seatwave caught up with Stephen and listened as he talked in plain yet refreshingly truthful terms about his music and what he would do if he had one wish...something far from world peace.
First of all, thanks for taking some time out to do the interview with me.
That’s, fine! No worries.
I know you live in Manchester at the moment, have you seen any live bands recently?
Yeah, I saw a band the other night, a band from LA – I think they were called The Displacements - at the Night and Day café.
I noticed on your Myspace that you wanted to do something creative, so you tried your hand at art but it didn’t really work out. Did you try music in the same way or had you always wanted to be a musician?
I think I always wanted to do it – I just really like music. I really enjoy getting into it. I think writing songs was the first thing I wanted to do.
What was the first song you wrote about?
I can’t remember, I think it was about blowing a shed up
I know you started University, but left shortly afterwards – do you ever wish you had continued with academia?
Yeah, definitely, I’m doing an Open University course now actually.
What are you studying?
European Literature.
It sounds like you like trying out new things – what could be next on the cards?
I’m quite lazy, but I would like to produce somebody else’s record. Maybe something that is nothing like the music that I make.
Who was your main musical influence while you were growing up?
Probably John Lennon.
Is there a singer or songwriter that stands out to you at the moment?
Have you heard of a singer called Bobby Tom? He’s pretty good.
How old were you when you picked up a guitar?
About 11, although I don’t play guitar as much as I used to. I kind of like playing piano these days.
Have you still got your first guitar?
Yeah, but I don’t think I would be able to play it. It’s a bit beat up.
How do you go about writing a song? Do you sit down and think I’m going to write a song, or does it happen spontaneously?
I suppose there is two ways it can happen. Sometimes it sits in my head for a few weeks and then I will write it down.
Do you have to go over it again to perfect it or are you normally quite happy with what you have done?
I don’t perfect it because I am pretty lazy.
Have you ever had writer's block?
Not writer's block – I don’t really know what that is. I have been unable to write though, you can’t be that creative or happy all the time – you’re brain would explode.
Are there any particular times that you have felt really uninspired and wanted to stop on the music front?
Yeah, loads of times. After I finished my first album, I didn’t want to do it anymore. It seemed a bit boring – messing around with guitars and stuff. But then, I got the bug for it again.
Have you ever covered a song?
Yeah, I did a Jeff Buckley one. I like doing covers as it takes the pressure off a bit.
Isn’t there the worry that fans of the band you have covered are going to be annoyed about it?
Uh, yeah – I suppose.
Your new album is coming out soon – can you sum it up in one word?
I can’t do it in one word.
Do it in several then.
I don’t know if I can.
You recorded it in New York. What was New York like compared to Manchester?
The two cities are very similar; it’s a cool place though isn’t it.
What is the memorable gig you have been to as a fan?
Oh, that’s got to be Tom Waits at Hammersmith Apollo. He was unbelievably good. It was nothing to do with anything other than his genius that made him so good.
If you could only play music or listen to music, which one would you choose?
To listen to it definitely.
Lastly, if you could have one wish, what would it be?
Probably to get a pair of early 1970’s Addidas Canvas which are cream with blue stripes.
Stephen's new album Man On The Roof is out now!
For our review, click here.
For more info, go to his Myspace at www.myspace.com/stephenfretwell
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Stephen Fretwell STEPHEN FRETWELL steven fretwell stephenfretwell
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