麻豆社

Who are your influences...

I've got quite a range of influences really, other singer/songwriters: Patrick Wolf, Jeremey Warmsley, Badly Drawn Boy; indie pop: Camera Obscura, Belle and Sebastian, Los Campesinos; and indie rock: The Libertines, Easyworld. Then there's a lot of other stuff, Dexy's Midnight Runners, The Smiths, Matisyahu, and much more besides.

I sound a bit like...

I find it hard to compare myself to an act, I don't think I can be objective enough to do that. But I'd like to compare it to Ryan Adams, but English. But I don't know if others would agree on that!

Who would be a dream band member and why?

I'd love to write some stuff with Rufus Wainwright. I just love his style, and his piano work would be a bit of a contrast with me playing guitar.

What was your best gig and why?

A couple of years ago I was involved with a band that got the chance to play in the Market Square when they re-opened it. One of the best experiences I've had.

What would you give up to get signed?

I'd give up all the extra work in booking and promoting my own gigs. I would never be prepared to hand over the power to make creative decisions though.

How did the band get together?

I've been playing for a number of years with different bands, and have gradually learned that not all of the people I play with are as determined as myself. I came to realise that to put the most effort in, I'd have to go it alone.

Who are the most influential figures in your life?

All the other musicians I've ever played with. I think that the other people you perform with gradually mould your style, and you evolve as a musician.

Best band in Notts and why?

Dog Is Dead have such fantastic harmonies, really great band, and such a lot of potential. I also saw a band, CityLIGHTS the other night, and they just blew me away. Really great use of synth by them too.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Right now, I'm listening to the latest single by Of Montreal, who must be the most twisted band ever conceived. It's called "Id Engager". Apart from that, I'm re-listening to the album "For Screening Purposes Only" by Test Icicles.

In a fire, which album would you rescue?

听"The Life Pursuit" by Belle & Sebastian. If any one album were the biggest influence on my songwriting, this is it. It always amazes me how this kind of music isn't what tops our charts. It's impossible to hate... surely?

What's the perfect night-out in Nottingham?

I think Junktion 7 is the most important venue in our music scene. So I would say a trip to a gig on there, especially on a Saturday, when you could really make a whole night of it.

Give us a short description of your best tracks...

Hold Me Down: This is one of my more ballady songs, it's just an acoustic guitar and voice, but I like to think it's quite powerful even with that arrangement.

Darling, Do You Want To Marry Me - This is a faster track, has a country/bluegrass kind of feel. Live, this features percussive guitar sounds, looped on top of themselves to give a nice driving rhythm.

Song On The Radio - This is my most popular live track. Features an electric piano, which sounds really lush when layered with the rest of the song.