Idlewild Interview
by Iain Bluett
08/16/05
Listen to the single Love Steals Us From Lonliness :
 high | low  high | low
Watch the video for Love Steals Us From Lonliness :
high | low high | low | QT high | med | low
Scottish rockers Idlewild are getting ready to tour the US in support of their new CD Warnings and Promises. Thanks in part to catchy, harder pop songs and Roddy Womble's unique vocals, the band has built a loyal following over in the United States. Having been in the business for 10 years, the band is pretty much free to do whatever they wan,t and there's no better platform for that than 6 weeks of touring in the great US of A. Roddy took some time out to speak with us earlier this week.
 Where are you now, and what are you doing?
I'm in Glasgow having a couple of days off. Our Drummer just had a baby. We played last week, and we've got a couple of gigs this weekend. I enjoy my time off and like to spend it with family and friends.. But I'm not saying that I don't like a drink!
You’ve got a couple of big gigs this week. What do you do to get prepared?
Not much. We played just last week and have been playing for 10 years so it's easy. Not to be complacent, but we're just good at what we do.
You’re playing the V festival this weekend. I saw you a couple of years ago at V2002 on the NME stage. This year you're on the main stage - are you excited?
I'm actually bored of playing the UK. We're really, really looking forward to playing the US. There's not so much hype surrounding the band [overseas]. We've built a loyal following based on our records so far, and our songs, so it's more honest. It's not just hype that's made us hot over there [the US]. It's not hype that has gotten us where we are.
So you're excited about touring the US in support of the new record?
Yeah, it's great. It's on our terms, there's no pressure.
Are you excited to be playing Atlanta? You canceled the last time – do you remember what happened?
I had laryngitis. I literally couldn’t speak. I hated to cancel; we never do that.
Did you pick the opener for your tour? (Inara George)
Yeah, she sings on the record and sings on most of our songs live.
Will you be focusing on the new record or playing a mixed set?
We'll play a mixed set. We choose our own songs, and we've got over 50 to choose from. We'll even play some covers – Dylan, Teenage Fanclub, Gang Of Four - whatever we feel like playing.
The new album is a little more mellow than previous albums like 100 Broken Windows or The Remote Part . Was the band in a different mood or a different setting when you recorded it? Did you record the album in a different way?
We had different musicians and used different instruments like pedal steels. We recorded in California with a new producer who we didn’t even really know. The new record's a lot louder live, and very energetic. I don't care if the little kids wearing Offspring shirts don’t like it – we do. We're better musicans now.
What's your favourite track on the new cd, and why?
"The Space Between All Things." I love the Grateful Dead, and the band doesn’t, so its fun. I like psycadelic stuff and big solos.
Apart from the fact that the stages are smaller, will the US shows be any different?
It's really the same show. We never had the dancing girls, so it doesn’t make much difference. We just put on a good show.
What other bands do you like right now?
Sons and Daughters from Glasgow (www.sonsanddaughtersloveyou.com)
You’ve had a member leave – how does something like affect or rejuvenate a band?
It was long time ago now, so it doesn’t make any difference. It’s strange at first, but you get used to it.
Have you started on a new record yet?
We're going to work the current one for a while, but we write songs as we go.
Last question: Tell us something not many people know about Idlewild that they should. Gavin's never been in a castle.
Unfortunately Idlewild are not likely to cross that off the list over here! What is guaranteed though, is the band will bring an energetic, rocking set to Smiths OIde Bar on Wednesday September 14th. Tickets are on sale now.
Check back next week for a chance to win a pair of tickets! |
