INTERVIEW: Guillemots
- Posted on June 4, 2008 11:18 AM
- 0 comments
Interview By Zarina Raja
With a string of European and UK tour dates coming up - including supporting R.E.M on their summer tour - the Guillemots are firmly quashing the industry with their catchy, whirling, Indie melodies, and charming live performances.
We chatted to Arista of the Guillemots, who was nervously anticipating their gig in Bristol where all her friends and family would be watching her perform - nothing, however, can be as daunting as playing Twickenham Stadium with R.E.M. How are the Guillemots going to cope with that? A lot of screaming apparently.
Guillemot’s new single, Falling Out of Reach, has just hit the shops.
You have recently spent some time in the Live Lounge with Jo Whiley. How did that go down?
Great – we love doing stuff like that. We have done it once before, but it was much more relaxed this time. We did one last year, so it’s good to be back…and Jo is lovely.
Your new single Falling Out Of Reach is out now. Tell me a bit about the track for those who haven’t heard it yet.
It is completely different to the last single. It is basically more of a ballad about being over worked and tired. Lots of people can relate to that.
Which songs do you prefer playing – ballads or faster songs?
It depends on the night and on the mood, and on the sound. It is not that clear cut.
You have loads of tour dates lined up in the UK and Europe. Are there any gigs that you are particularly looking forward to?
Yeah, tonight actually; we are in Bristol and I used to live around here. A lot of my friends are going to be there to, so I am excited about tonight - and London, obviously.
Do you feel more nervous with your friends and families there?
Yeah, definitely; I am also singing one of the songs. It is the first time that I am going to come to the front, so to speak. It’s pretty scary – especially knowing that my people are going to be there.
You are playing Twickenham Stadium in August, supporting R.E.M. How are you going to prepare for a gig that size?
I have no idea. I will have to tell you after. I have to say that I have had a few nightmares about it.
Is it inspiring an excited form of anxiety in you or just sheer fear?
Both, but it’s just the thought of something going wrong. If something breaks in front of thirty thousand people or so…what do you do? At least I’m not the singer – that’s all I can say.
Have you met R.E.M?
No, we haven’t met them yet.
Are you big R.E.M fans?
Yeah, we are. I have never seen them live before though.
I imagine that you are not sure what to expect?
We have never played to that many people so…
Do you guys have any weird rituals that you have to do before a gig?
The drummer and I have started to do Yoga. We always have a band hug before going on; it can last for quite a few minutes. There is also a general kafuffle and lots of shouting.
I wonder what you will be doing before the Twickenham gig.
We will just be screaming.
You obviously spend a lot of time together when you are touring. Have the Guillemots ever reached breaking point?
No, not really. It’s like a family isn’t it? We have our little squabbles, but ultimately you just put it behind you and make it work. We are all pretty bad when it happens though.
What is it like being on tour with the Guillemots? Do you party hard when you are on tour?
Yeah, I mean it’s hard when you have got all the adrenaline from the show; it’s hard to just go to bed. We end up playing Backgammon and Scrabble quite a lot. It isn’t very Rock ‘n’ Roll, I know. There is not much else to do unless you are single and want to hang out with the fans.
Will you have any time this summer to go to any festivals?
No. I love festivals if the weather is good. If it is not good, I just can’t get into it at all. Being in the mud…it just doesn’t really go together.
Have you got any festival nightmare stories?
Glastonbury last year was quite messy; bin liners, Wellington boots, and a red dress.
Talk me through the creation process of Red. Was it a long time in the making?
Yeah, it took us ages. It’s mainly because we co-wrote all the songs. We kind of started making the songs by improvising. We would play along in the studio. Most of the songs came from that really. It was fun. It was really different from the first one. We all tried out loads of ideas.
What do you prefer doing? Touring or recording?
I am slowly realising that I prefer touring. I have a portable studio with me. I have been trying to make a song everyday – I am getting the best of both worlds.
Is there one particular gig that stands out to you that you guys have played?
Our gig at Somerset House was really good. It was last year. There was such an amazing setting. The audience was great, the weather was nice, and there was a great sunset.
Have you had any gigs that were a total disaster?
Yeah we played a festival and they put the tent up at the wrong angle. There was a storm and it was raining on the stage. We were all scared of getting electrocuted and dying.
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