Rory McVicar
Where are you from?
I am from Norwich in England which is a pretty incredible place when it comes to music. It is kind of tucked away but it has a lot going on.
How did you get involved in making music?
I guess it had something to do with my older brothers’ influence. They both played music in bands and when you have older siblings I think you get a head start in terms of music. Well, so long as they like good music. Fortunately mine did. So I started playing bass when I was starting to become a teenager. I suppose to be more of a teenager. Then later on when I was about 16 I started playing guitar and soon after writing songs.
What are some of the artists that have inspired you?
It is perhaps not the most respect grabbing band to name drop but my first favorite band was Oasis. I really liked them a lot and got the bus driver to play them on the way to school. I don’t listen to them so much now but I still like hearing what Liam has said in the press. I think he’s alright. Past that in music I suppose my most consistent inspiration has come from John Frusciante. In fact by learning about him and listening to his records fairly constantly for many years I think I have almost grown up with certain ideas I have about him and his music. Also, as is the norm with a Frusciante fan, I really do like Vincent Gallo. Obviously not just his music. Films are something else i take inspiration from I suppose, though not consciously. There are a bunch of films I love that I think have helped develop my understanding of art. David Lynch o course and also John Cassavetes recently. I really liked reading about him before I saw his films though, but they’re good. And I love and think a lot about the film “Werckmeister’s Harmonies” by the Hungarian director Bela Tarr. And I love Kryzstoff Kieslowski too, especially the Dekalog films. So am I winning any points for um high culture here? Haw Haw. And the only writer I really have dug is Henry Miller. But I read very very little. Very little. Oh and I just heard the record “Back in Your Life” by Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers and I am bessotted with it!
How do you write songs? Any special techniques?
No not really, though it does usually start with a guitar or singing melody. The best songs come out when you aren’t thinking at all and you find yourself with a beautiful melody and sometimes even words.
Have you signed a deal yet? Have you had a lot of interest?
I haven’t signed anything at all yet no. Things are looking promising though. We’ll have to wait and see.
“Little One” is a scorcher how did that one come about?
Well I think actually my mum was in a bad mood and I went “you’re highly strung today”, and then I thought about it and strings going ping and before too long it turned out to be a love song, like most of em. But not for my mother, you understand.
How do translate your recorded music to a live show?
It will invariably be me, sitting down on a chair, with an electric or acoustic guitar, trying very hard to remember the words.
Who are you listening to right now?
“Vendor Intender” by eLsuB
What was your favorite album of the year?
I can’t remember what came out this year at all. Probably “Curtains” by John Frusciante.
What would be your greatest fear?
I don’t really have one.
What can we expect to find you doing in 2006?
Playing a hundred million gigs, releasing music to a wider audience, falling down drunk outside Stringfellows. Hopefully.
Rory’s split single with Hoofus is out now on the Howlback Hum Label click here for more info
