| HOME | MESSAGE BOARDS | SEARCH |
| FREE MP3s | SUBSCRIBE TO SOUNDSXP BY EMAIL |
| Add to My Yahoo! | Add to Google | Subscribe with Bloglines | RSS |

Contents
Album Reviews
Single Reviews
Gig Reviews
Interviews
Demo and self financed Reviews
News
Offers
 


6th February,
I Ludicrous

+ The Nuns
+ The Good Gods
+ Kooler Kings
+ SoundsXP DJs
@ Windmill,
Brixton
£4.50 Advance Tickets

 

unclesam.gif (3495 bytes)Calling all music fans based in the UK...  Do you want your views to be read by 5000 people a day? Contact soundsxp and become one of the contributors.
 


Standard Fare - The Noyelle Beat (LP)

First Aid Kit - The Big Black and The Blue (LP)

Oh Dreamland - Who Cares? (LP)

Bear Driver Myspace

Spaghetti Anywhere - Gregory's Girl

Various - We Are Only Riders: The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project

Various - Cambodian Rocks Vol 2

Avi Buffalo - What’s It In For? (single)

Shearwater - the Golden Archipelago

These New Puritans - Hidden

Fucked Up - Couple Tracks (compilation)

Hexicon - Something Strange Beneath The Stars (single)

 

Contact Details:

Email: SoundsXP

Or post to:
SoundsXP,
30 Somerville Road,
London, SE20 7NA, UK

UK releases only.

Please note: If submitting demos or self financed releases - we currently have a backlog of such material. It could be some time before your item is reviewed.
 


stop the war.gif (2575 bytes)

 
 
 
 
Interview


Idlewild


Article written by Graham S
Mar 12, 2005.

Idlewild reach their landmark 10th birthday this year, and they’ve changed more than most during a 5 album odyssey that has steered them from chaotic teenage punk to the coruscating maturity of latest opus ‘Warnings/Promises’. Considering their origins, it’s ironic the band took its name from the quiet meeting place in Roddy’s then favourite book, ‘Anne Of Green Gables’. Now, with their folk and Caledonian rock leanings displayed more prominently than ever, we find Idlewild bristling with a new found confidence and ambition, the songs broader, deeper, more thoughtful.

The addition of new bassist Gavin Fox and second guitarist Allan Stewart, the time spent touring America’s stadia with Pearl Jam, and singer Roddy Woomble’s current residency in New York’s East Village, have all been contributory factors to the band’s revitalisation, and with ‘Warnings/Promises’ out this week, and an extensive April tour lined up, busy times are ahead. Even so, Roddy found a quiet moment to answer a few questions I emailed him, his short and sweet answers handwritten and scanned back.

SXP: You’ve been too long away. How have you filled your days?

Roddy: Travelling, writing and recording, drinking, reading, swimming, sleeping, laughing.

SXP: This is your first album written as a 5-piece. How was the process compared to the last one? Did it allow greater scope?

Roddy: We had no idea, and in the confusion we found the perfect way.

SXP: Storytelling is obviously close to your heart.

Roddy: We’re all part of a story, so yes. It’s the most important thing.

SXP: Allan played second guitar live anyway, but what does the new lineup mean to Idlewild?

Roddy: It makes us better musically and psychologically.

SXP: Flavour of the month is art rock. Is there still a place for Idlewild?

Roddy: Well, I like art, and I like rock, so yes.

SXP: Have any new bands taken your fancy?

Roddy: I like Sons And Daughters. (Who support Idlewild on the forthcoming UK tour.)

SXP: You’ve taken giant leaps since ‘Captain’ and some can’t get past the loss of that early punkiness. Have your fans evolved with you, or have you lost one set and gained another?

Roddy: A mixture of the above. The important thing is we’ve changed for the better.

SXP: America seems to accept you more readily in some ways. What’s your US appeal?

Roddy: We’re good. We have something to say. We’ve not been hyped.

SXP: Why return with an acoustic mini tour?

Roddy: Pure pleasure principle.

SXP: Does playing acoustically allow more freedom in some ways, more expressiveness?

Roddy: It’s all about wooden things. Fairy lights, wine and harmony.

SXP: How did people react to the new material in that setting?

Roddy: I think it was a mixture of surprise and love.

SXP: How long will you tour the album; are you taking in anywhere new?

Roddy: For as long as we can. All over the world. Everywhere.

SXP: Finally, what can we expect for the electric tour?

Roddy: Old and new, different setlists each night. Good times.


Untitled Document What's your view? Comment on the Forum

Other discussions on the SoundsXP forums right now...




Spread the word: Email this article

© Copyright SoundsXP.com
Top of Page

 
 
Features


BEST OF 2009 - SoundsXP Writers Poll of best Albums, Singles and Live Acts of Year


PINEY GIR - Interview


PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART - Live


PORT O'BRIEN - Live


CAMERA OBSCURA - Live


RICHARD HAWLEY - Live


END OF THE ROAD FESTIVAL
- Friday


- Saturday

- Sunday


STRANGE BOYS - Live


HALDERN Fetival - Day 1 Live


INDIETRACKS Festival


DEAD WEATHER - Live