This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Artist Interviews
Q&A: Guillemots
By CMU Editorial | Published on Wednesday 11 May 2011
The core members of motley alt-folk troupe Guillemots came together in 2004, when bandleader Fyfe Dangerfield enlisted Brazilian guitarist MC Lord Magrão, Canadian double bass-player Aristazabal Hawkes and drummer Greig Stewart through various means.
The band released debut EP ‘I Saw Such Things In My Sleep’ in 2005 through London-based indie Fantastic Plastic Records, which spawned a breakthrough hit in ‘Made-Up Lovesong #43’. The Mercury-nominated album ‘Through The Windowpane’ followed in 2006, and then we got ‘Red’ in 2008. After a short hiatus, third long player ‘Walk The River’ came out last month.
The group performed several secret shows to accompany the release a few weeks ago, and are now due to put in a not-at-all-secret appearance at The Great Escape this Saturday. With slots booked at later summer spectaculars including the Dot To Dot, Bushtock, Glastonbury and Hop Farm festivals, drummer Greig took some time out to address the pressing matter of our Same Six Questions.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
As a kid there was music all around the family and big parties where there would be fiddlers, accordions, and singers. I was sent to play the bagpipes but my father was told they couldn’t control me, same happened at pipe band drumming. Thought my days were numbered playing music but managed to get there in the end. Music is pure escapism for me.
Q2 What inspired your latest album?
The four of us in a room playing together. No real preconceptions at the start. Just everyone playing what they felt like and seeing what came out at the end of it.
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
Kinda the same as above. Then Fyfe will record everything we do in rehearsals and take the recordings home, and develop the songs from there. Some songs on the album were written solely by Fyfe, where he had some musical parts ready cooked.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
That’s a tough one because everyone comes from a totally different background musically. Personally for me, it’s a massive pool to dip into. I like world music because of the different rhythms, and I try to incorporate this into our music. I’ve always liked the way the musicians back Van Morrison on his songs, and how Brain Eno gets those spacey/outworldy atmospheres. And Morrissey for his lyrics.
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Probably start from the first EP ‘I Saw Such Things In My Sleep’ then go through the back catalogue in chronological order. Have a good set of headphones and get immersed, man.
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album, and for the future?
For the new record to be released in as many countries as possible and for the band to play all around the world. For the future, we still have loads of music to record. So hopefully we will be able to do this.
MORE>> www.guillemots.com
