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Artist Interviews
Q&A: Idiot Glee
By CMU Editorial | Published on Tuesday 3 May 2011
A native of Kentucky, classically-trained James Friley made his double A-side debut as Idiot Glee with ‘All Packed Up/Don’t Drink The Water’, which came out last year on Moshi Moshi. When performing live, James works solo to churn out samples and loops from several toy keyboards, which he then sings over, creating music that’s at once expansive and intimate.
He collaborated with homespun London cup-stackers Lulu & The Lampshades on a Christmastime remake of ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’, has toured with Moshi Moshi kin Summer Camp, and has support slots booked with Black Lips and Kurt Vile. His debut full-length effort ‘Paddywhack’ is due out on 7 Jun.
He will be kicking off the Idiot Glee UK tour in London at The Vortex on 12 May. Ahead of that and a handful of later dates, which include an appearance at the Liverpool Sound City festival, we sneak-attacked an unsuspecting James with our unsurprising Same Six Questions.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
I started piano lessons at age seven and immediately started writing little piano pieces. I wrote one called ‘Cloud Circus’ in third grade that won me first place in a state composition contest! My older brother started writing and recording rock music when I was about thirteen, so I started trying that out. We had this Boss digital eight-track recorder with Zip discs that we recorded everything on… it was pretty cool at the time.
Q2 What inspired your latest album?
The album itself is part album, part compilation. During chunks of it, I was listening heavily to ‘Pet Sounds’, ‘Smile’, Arthur Russell, all the Eno stuff. A lot of local stuff influenced me – Tiny Fights, Street Gnar, Trailblazer, Resonant Hole, Candy, The Butchers. And some oldies… even some hip hop. I love ‘Doggystyle’. Also seems like the last two years have been an emotional rollercoaster, personally…
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
I just start with a beat, or with a keyboard part and vocal line, and go from there. Just building on top with each instrument one at a time. Sometimes, I write away from the recording process and just jam. A couple of my favourite songs were written like that while I was playing around with my good friend Jamie Adkins.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Mostly local ones (see above), but also Eno, Brian Wilson, Arthur Russell, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles for sure, The Zombies, etc…
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Listen to the whole album – there’s something for everyone.
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album, and for the future?
I hope people like it. Doing lots of touring. I feel like it’s just a seed I’m planting, I’ve got lots of good ideas for the future!
MORE>> idiotglee.tumblr.com
