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Artist Interviews
Q&A: Stars & Sons
By CMU Editorial | Published on Tuesday 7 September 2010
Turning his focus to music in 2007 after a series of low-profile failures in other careers, Brighton-based former hotdog vendor Mike Lord began songwriting in his bedroom with just a piano and some lo-fi recording equipment, marking the start of Stars & Sons. Keen to make his music project a fully fledged band, other members were recruited in 2008 making Lord’s new venture a five piece. Influenced by the likes of Scott Walker, Eels and Flaming Lips, the band have recently finished recording their debut album ‘Good Morning Mother’ with producer Dave Eringa. With the album out this week via Twice Burnt, we caught up with Mike to find out some more.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
Well, I was pressured into some piano lessons by darling mother dearest who thought that playing an instrument might make me more cleverer. Something to do with concentration span. This obviously backfired when music took over my life and I left the career in keyhole surgery behind.
Q2 What inspired your latest album?
A general level of incompetence in recording techniques shaped the sound; we just add stuff until it sounds good. If it’s not thick enough, add a choir. If it’s too bassy, chuck on a glockenspiel. Stuff like that. It’s the same as a lot of debut albums in the sense of it being a ‘greatest hits’ package of the band’s early days, but I still think it’s reasonably cohesive.
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
I generally record a few parts and get a structure together, and sing some nonsense lyrics to get an idea of the melody. Then I send it to the band to see what they think. If I’m not so confident about it I’ll send it to Stu [the drummer] because he’s quite nice about most ideas, whereas Luke [guitar] specialises in raw brutal honesty.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Anyone with a bit of ambition to step away from whatever is safe at the time. Scott Walker recorded nearly a whole album in 3/4, fully knowing that the kids in the disco were definitely not going to be dancing to that. Also, I can’t imagine The Avalanches ever really caring about how long it might take to clear the samples from their album. They sampled Madonna, for Pete’s sake!
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
For your safety, and the safety of those around you, please take your seat and fasten your seat belt. And also make sure your seat back and folding trays are in their full upright position. LET’S ROCK LOLZ!!1!
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album, and for the future?
I’m just happy that the music is available for people to listen to, and hopefully it will put us in a position where we can release further albums. We’ve got about fifteen new songs on the go at the moment, the process is incredibly addictive and I can’t really imagine doing anything else. I’m sure I wouldn’t sniff at a bit of success though. At least to keep my mum happy…
MORE>> starsandsons.com
