Blissful Red Interview
Q: Can you talk about your musical history?
A: I was always really interested in words. Ever since I was about nine or ten, I've always loved reading lyric sheets from the CD's that I had. So I started to write my own and I think I got to the point where I was about 13 or 14 and I picked the guitar up just to try and set the words to songs really cos I never thought of it as poetry or anything like that. I never really played anybody else's stuff. It never really struck me; I was always about just trying to write my own songs. I got a little lost with it for three or four years but I'd say for about the last 11, 12, 13 years that's what I've been doing, writing songs. I don't consider myself a guitarist. I'm not one for picking the instrument up and playing it for playing’s sake. If I didn't write songs, I don't think I'd bother so yeah, I write songs.
Q: Blissful is a solo project that sounds like a full band. Can you talk about your creative process?
A: It isn't a solo project at the minute I guess. I write the songs and the lyrics but I do have help in terms of bringing it all together. I think when I first started, the songs were a lot more minimal and I didn't need as much help. I just needed someone to record them really. But as time's gone on, I've started to experiment a bit more and like you say, it's progressed almost to like a full band sound and I obviously need help with that so yeah, I write the songs but arrangement wise, a lot of it's left to when we're in the studio so I can be as surprised as anybody with how the arrangements turn out once everything's finished.
Q: What was it is like working with Andy Yeadon who engineered the album?
A: I've worked with Andy for about 10 years now. I certainly wouldn't just class him as just the engineer. Andy's I suppose what you'd call a really natural musician. He can turn his hand to most things and be pretty competent at them I would say, so he's certainly useful to have around. I'm not sure how many instruments he plays on this new EP but it's a fair number. He even plays the drum tracks and you know, he'd be the first to tell you that he's no drummer but we have a similar sort of, I suppose you'd say, aesthetic when it comes to music - not identical but similar enough to the point where he's got a good idea of what I want to do, especially when you consider, like I've already said, we've known each other about 10 years now. And for me, having someone like that play on my tracks is more valuable than the world's greatest session player putting the drums down. That works better for me; there's a better feel about it you know.
Q: What are some of the themes and topics that come up in your latest release Playin' At Rock Stars?
A: Lyrically I don't think there's one sort of specific theme that runs through the whole EP. I think lyrically, the songs might be a little bit all over the place to be honest but generally, I'm 34 and I think it would be quite silly of me to write songs like I was 24 or 21 or a teenager. I think it's quite a difficult sort of balancing act when you're in your 30's & writing music. Everybody wants to write something relevant but like I say, if you're 34 and pretend to be 24, I think people can see through that. I suppose all you can do, lyrically, is tell the truth & hope some of it strikes a chord with people.
Q: Do you currently have a full band to play live?
A: No.lol. Any sort of live performance at the minute would pretty much be myself and a guitar which isn't ideal. I think playing in a band's one of the best things you can do, you know, socially. If you get a few friends that can all play a bit and have similar sorts of tastes in music, it's probably the best thing you can do with your time, with your friends. But you know, if that's not possible for whatever reason, then I'd rather do it on my own than play with a bunch of strangers - even if they're all brilliant players. It just doesn't appeal to me, playing music with strangers. To me it's more of a social thing.
Q: What else can we expect from Blissful Red?
A: Well, I've just finished a new video for the track “Wonderwheel" which is track two on the EP. My best friend Matt put it together. It's homemade, no frills but you know, he's done a really great job with it. I think it's a really charming little piece of work and like I say, he's done a great job, I'm really happy with it so that's out there for people to have a look at now. Also, I'm just coming into the final stages of putting my new website together. I've always been a million miles behind in terms of promoting myself and getting myself out there so yeah hopefully, fingers crossed, the new website will be up and running pretty soon and more people will get to hear my music.
Q: Can you talk about your musical history?
A: I was always really interested in words. Ever since I was about nine or ten, I've always loved reading lyric sheets from the CD's that I had. So I started to write my own and I think I got to the point where I was about 13 or 14 and I picked the guitar up just to try and set the words to songs really cos I never thought of it as poetry or anything like that. I never really played anybody else's stuff. It never really struck me; I was always about just trying to write my own songs. I got a little lost with it for three or four years but I'd say for about the last 11, 12, 13 years that's what I've been doing, writing songs. I don't consider myself a guitarist. I'm not one for picking the instrument up and playing it for playing’s sake. If I didn't write songs, I don't think I'd bother so yeah, I write songs.
Q: Blissful is a solo project that sounds like a full band. Can you talk about your creative process?
A: It isn't a solo project at the minute I guess. I write the songs and the lyrics but I do have help in terms of bringing it all together. I think when I first started, the songs were a lot more minimal and I didn't need as much help. I just needed someone to record them really. But as time's gone on, I've started to experiment a bit more and like you say, it's progressed almost to like a full band sound and I obviously need help with that so yeah, I write the songs but arrangement wise, a lot of it's left to when we're in the studio so I can be as surprised as anybody with how the arrangements turn out once everything's finished.
Q: What was it is like working with Andy Yeadon who engineered the album?
A: I've worked with Andy for about 10 years now. I certainly wouldn't just class him as just the engineer. Andy's I suppose what you'd call a really natural musician. He can turn his hand to most things and be pretty competent at them I would say, so he's certainly useful to have around. I'm not sure how many instruments he plays on this new EP but it's a fair number. He even plays the drum tracks and you know, he'd be the first to tell you that he's no drummer but we have a similar sort of, I suppose you'd say, aesthetic when it comes to music - not identical but similar enough to the point where he's got a good idea of what I want to do, especially when you consider, like I've already said, we've known each other about 10 years now. And for me, having someone like that play on my tracks is more valuable than the world's greatest session player putting the drums down. That works better for me; there's a better feel about it you know.
Q: What are some of the themes and topics that come up in your latest release Playin' At Rock Stars?
A: Lyrically I don't think there's one sort of specific theme that runs through the whole EP. I think lyrically, the songs might be a little bit all over the place to be honest but generally, I'm 34 and I think it would be quite silly of me to write songs like I was 24 or 21 or a teenager. I think it's quite a difficult sort of balancing act when you're in your 30's & writing music. Everybody wants to write something relevant but like I say, if you're 34 and pretend to be 24, I think people can see through that. I suppose all you can do, lyrically, is tell the truth & hope some of it strikes a chord with people.
Q: Do you currently have a full band to play live?
A: No.lol. Any sort of live performance at the minute would pretty much be myself and a guitar which isn't ideal. I think playing in a band's one of the best things you can do, you know, socially. If you get a few friends that can all play a bit and have similar sorts of tastes in music, it's probably the best thing you can do with your time, with your friends. But you know, if that's not possible for whatever reason, then I'd rather do it on my own than play with a bunch of strangers - even if they're all brilliant players. It just doesn't appeal to me, playing music with strangers. To me it's more of a social thing.
Q: What else can we expect from Blissful Red?
A: Well, I've just finished a new video for the track “Wonderwheel" which is track two on the EP. My best friend Matt put it together. It's homemade, no frills but you know, he's done a really great job with it. I think it's a really charming little piece of work and like I say, he's done a great job, I'm really happy with it so that's out there for people to have a look at now. Also, I'm just coming into the final stages of putting my new website together. I've always been a million miles behind in terms of promoting myself and getting myself out there so yeah hopefully, fingers crossed, the new website will be up and running pretty soon and more people will get to hear my music.