ComfortComes

Idlewild

When I was twelve years old, I was in Woolworth’s and picked up Idlewild’s ‘Little Discourage.’ Why? Because I thought the picture on the front was nice. At the time, I wasn’t aware it would become one of the most influential musical purchases of my life! Idlewild swiftly became my first ever ‘Favourite Band’ (proper one, not like the Spice Girls)

They’ve been around for twelve years now, with a fifth album, ‘Make Another World’ about to be added to their discography. Unlike many, Idlewild have seen the 90’s through, and look set to form another new fan-base with a wonderful hybrid of new and old Idlewild style.

You have a lot of upcoming dates; do you still enjoy playing live? Do you prefer to showcase new material or the older records?

I still enjoy it; I mean it’s why we do it. I think obviously it’s good to play new songs as we haven’t been playing them for ten years! We like to rearrange things and make it more interesting, chopping and changing between our folkier side, and the rock. It keeps the attention of us and the listener. The crowds tend to get older, starting from about sixteen. You’ve got people who have been fans for twelve years and others who are just discovering the later records.

‘If it takes you home’ almost sounds like a return to form. How does the new album ‘Make another World’ compare style wise to you previous work?

It references all our records, it’s the first time Idlewild has influenced Idlewild. There was no master plan, which is the honest way to work. You change as a band because you as a person change and it reflects all of the personalities in the band. It was written very fast which is something we wanted to do, it’s a very lean kind of rock record. It’s a summing up of the past twelve years.

What are your personal Idlewild favourites?

Oh I’m not sure…I can tell you what my Mum’s is! Hers is ‘When I argue I see Shapes.’ It’s just you play them so many times and get used to them. At the moment my favourites are the new ones, you are most excited about them. I don’t like slagging off previous records; I don’t like bands who rubbish their old stuff to sell new ones. They are a good reflection of that time. But now we have taken stock of everything we have done and are referencing that. It’s ten to twelve years of living it, a life. We are heavily influenced by our previous records.

Who are, and have you met any of your idols?

I’m not sure about Idols, there are people I admire and who I’ve listened to their records who have been a big influence. I’m a big fan of REM and meeting them meant a lot. There are bands like REM, Wilco, Modest Mouse and Springsteen but I’m not sure…It’s not like even I’d rather admire them from a distance. But it’s just listening to the music and not knowing them as people. People have a strange conception they think they know you because you’ve listened to their music. When really you write and record something, and then spend two years figuring out what it’s all about.

Lyrics from songs such as Quiet Crown and Bronze Medal are quite dark and intriguing. Where did the inspiration come from for those early songs?

Melody was increasingly important and not just making a noise. We were learning a craft and weren’t particularly confident, it came from an awkwardness, but we learnt early on that melody was important in everything really. Those early songs are us learning our craft, we were influenced by the things going on around us. It was a very exciting and deeply cynical time for us. The songs are a reflection of that time.

With a lot of those songs you listen, and it sounds amazing, but aren’t really sure what’s going on in the lyrics

Yeah, they’re very ambiguous and I think ambiguity in lyrics is really good. It gives a different meaning to the music. It’s not poetry, but it is good lyrics, and each person can interpret it differently.

Idlewild seem like a band it’s fans really connect with, on a personal level. How does that make you feel, is it intimidating?

No, it’s good! We have developed as a band gradually, that’s why we have a loyal fan base, and people feel they’ve been along for the ride. It’s a very positive thing. Not many bands can do that now, they don’t have that time to develop.

What in your eyes has been Idlewild’s greatest moment?

There are lots of different things, both positive and negative. There are so many in different ways. Obviously we’ve done a lot of enjoyable gigs, playing in amazing places with amazing bands. There are so many it’s difficult to pick one…I mean, playing with REM, playing for the first time in New York City. And at the moment it’s exciting as it’s a new lease of life for the band, playing new places, new songs.

What new music have you been enjoying recently?

I don’t really search for new music, there are a lot of bands around what with the internet but it’s hard to sift through them and really find the good ones. There is so much competition; it’s like a fast food conveyor-belt of music. There are good ones – Wilco, Devandra Banhart – but there are so many around and I don’t like this whole New British Band competitiveness.

What does the near future hold for Idlewild?

I’ve no idea to be honest…play gigs, go on tour, see what happens. There is a lot to come from us yet, I’m not sure what, but we will wait and see…

Rod Jones answered all questions.

By Lucia Hodgson