Wharf Chambers interview

About time right?!  December will be our 14th gig at Wharf Chambers and we’re only just having a chat here with them.

When did Wharf Chambers begin and what was the building before?

We have been going for four years now. Before it was Wharf Chambers the building was a radical social centre called ‘the Common Place’ and before that a hosiery factory.

What similar places inspired you to start Wharf and how far do you think you’ve achieved what you set out to do?

There were some really good things about the Common Place and it was clear that Leeds has a need for a lefty/radical social space but that project was volunteer run and wasn’t sustainable as a business. We have kept a lot of the morals and ethics that we liked about that place but also created a not for profit, workers co-op business and hopefully will be able to stay up and running for a long time.

So is anyone in charge then? If not who decides what happens?

Nobody is in charge/ we are all in charge/ you are in charge.  All of our decisions are made collectively. The daily running of the place in our weekly bar meetings. The bigger more long reaching decisions in our quarterly development meetings.  And the decisions are fed by information we receive from our members club via the members meetings and through online surveys and e-mail feedback you give us, some serious decisions like price changes or memberships being revoked are often sent to members meeting to be approved by you.  http://www.wharfchambers.org/the-club/

Why do people need to be a member and where does the £1 joining cost go?

There are several reasons that people need to be a member or a guest of a member to come to wharf chambers; It is a legal requirement of our members club licence, we believe that collective ownership and collective responsibility of a space will make it a more interesting, more engaging, safer, more welcoming and more accessible. The £1 all goes towards improving the place. Which we are happy to receive suggestions about. We have improved our seating area, heating, decor and hope to improve the kitchen and cooking facilities soon

There’s quite a range of music and events on at Wharf but do you have any guidelines as to what you want or don’t want on at?

We love that we have a range of events on here. Part of us being a members club is that the space is used by our members. We very rarely programme any of the events. They are all organised by our members. We try to steer people into putting busy events on at the weekend and maybe quieter ones during the week. But apart from that we are willing to let people try anything at least once (as long as it isn’t something that doesn’t fit with our safer spaces policy http://www.wharfchambers.org/the-club/safer-spaces/ 

 

More recently you’ve had the Vegan Fried Chicken and the Vegan Cafe, is serving food something that’s going to continue?

Yes, we would really like to keep doing/do more good, affordable vegan food for people.

What bands that we’ve missed should we be getting at Youth Anthems?

Haiku Salut, Bloom, Pardon us, Big Joanie, Joey Fourr

You recently put out some great guidelines on increasing diversity and inclusivity at Wharf. What would be the top things we could do at Youth Anthems to build on this?

Youth anthems is already a part of this. It’s important to us that young people and families are welcome here and have someone to come hang out and listen to live music

Top three desserts that you’ve seen served at Wharf?

That Old Chestnut Tiffin, Sesame Snaps, great coffee

How can people get more involved with Wharf?

Be a member, attend our members meetings (you get e-mails with the dates in) put on events here. Just come down and hang out.

We’re having a raffle at the Cowtown gig, what prizes should we be getting in?!

A new kitchen for us to win?

Any parting words?

WharfyC4lYfe

The Pop Up People Interview

It’s not often I’m lost for words but I’m struggling on an introduction here and when you see this explosion of pop music, indie rock and performance art I think you’ll see why!  When I heard that Nicky from Penny & The Sausages had a new band I had to book them but I didn’t know what I had in store!  Now I’m super excited to have The Pop Up People come and play for us.  Tuck in and find out more!

Who are The Pop Up People? Where do we recognise you all from??

Rachael: I played drums in The Seven Inches, Trapdoor Minotaur and various other bands over the years. I was also Vim the Voodoo Grandma in Madam Laycock and her Dabeno Pleasures. I’m currently popping up in The Pop-Up People and drumming in a new band Andy & the Browns.

Alice: I pop up occasionally in Rachael’s bands, sometimes on the gloc and sometimes on Bass guitar. I am also in Andy & the Browns on gloc too.

Nik: I was the Great Goblin in Gosforth East Middle School’s interpretation of The Hobbit in 1989. Since then I’ve wielded things in various pop combos including Leeds-based Albeit, Bonsai Kittens and Penny and the Sausages.

The Pop-Up line-up is completed by Kathleen, who fronted Madam Laycock and her Daberno Pleasures and also pops up with puppets as one half of Odd Doll Puppetry (www.odddoll.co.uk).

Do you have a different theme for each gig and if so should we be preparing special outfits for December 4th?

Rachael: I think we will be re-visiting a previous theme that was Pop vs Crisps, so expect crisp and pop banter and outfits. Our special guest will be Stacy Mellor.

We’re having a raffle at the gig, what’s the best prize you’ve ever won on one?

Nik: I gatecrashed a private gig at which my dad’s band was playing, got boozy on wine with my fab little sister and won a bottle of vodka with ticket number 666. Needless to say I was a very excited recipient.

The big question…top three desserts of all members?

Alice: Vienetta, Cherry Pie and Rhubarb Crumble/Custard.

Rachael: Tricky question!! Cheesecake, Chocolate Cake and Angel Delight.

Nik: Though I have a sweet tooth, I’ve got a very narrow taste in desserts. Can I have three cherry bakewells? If not, I’ll grudgingly add cheese and biscuits (if that counts) and chocolate mousse.

 

If you could only listen to one album, read one book and watch one film forever (we haven’t quite worked out how this scenario came to be but go with it…) what would they be?

Alice: Album Tindersticks first album, book The Little Prince and film Whistle Down the Wind.

Rachael: Album would be Incesticide by Nirvana, book would be The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo, and the film would be Pete’s Dragon either version. I feel I have gone a bit dark here.

Where’s your favourite spot in Leeds for a quiet read/coffee/cake when you get a spare minute (which now you have told us will never be quiet again).

Alice: Hotel Chocolat.

Rachael: Just Grand in the Grand Arcade, lovely cake and coffee.

Nik: I’ve only been a couple of times, but The Bowery in Headingley is very lovely. And they serve cheese scones, which are criminally underrepresented among the scone community.

Any advice for younger folk wanting to start a band?

Nik: Do it as soon as you start learning to play rather than waiting until you’re “good enough”. Have fun, don’t worry about making mistakes, be yourself, be lovely to those you meet on your musical travels, play what you enjoy playing and don’t try to be a rock star. And never turn up to practice without biscuits.

Rachael: Similar to what Nicky has said, just do it. Even if it’s a band that doesn’t play music all the time. I have been in a fair few bands that never even picked up instruments.

Alice: If you do it with people you like spending time with you will enjoy it more.

Just any advice in general for younger folk?

Nik: Have fun doing stuff you aren’t good at. There’s so much pressure on young folk to achieve and excel at everything and it’s actually a massive relief to do something where there’s little expectation or likelihood of you doing particularly well at it. I’m learning to ride a bike at the grand old age of 39 and that’s precisely what I feel each time I fall into a bush in front of amused children in a park.

Alice: Stay up late in the summer and wrap up warm in the winter.

Rachael: Have a laugh.

Which band should we get for a future Youth Anthems?

Nik: I think the mighty and marvellous Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers would entertain and unsettle children in equal measures.

Rachael: I also agree that Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers would be perfect. Another excellent band would be Pete Bentham and the Dinnerladies too.

Alice: Andy & the Browns (shameless plug).

Parting words?

Alice: Work hard, be kind and laugh and cry often.

Rachael: Go to Hull, it’s never dull.

Nik: Slap bass = slap face. (My philosophy on bass playing.)

 

The Cut Ups – Interview

I’ve been lucky enough to have known The Cut Ups since about 2006 when an old band of mine played with them.  Since then I’ve been in three more bands and they’ve kept on trucking, getting better and better with every album.  They’ve gone from being the new band on the block to the old hands.  Reliable but always progressing The Cut Ups really are a constant ray of sunshine and a source of hope and inspiration to everyone who knows them.  I really can’t praise this band enough as people and artists.  You are in for one heck of a treat.  If you get the time please talk to them too as they really are the nicest bunch around.  If you haven’t heard or seen The Cut Ups before then it really is a joy and an honour to introduce them to you so without further ado here is the one and only Jon Curtis…

Let’s start with a generic one for those who aren’t in the know – who are The Cut Ups and where did it all begin for you?

That’s not as easy a question as one might imagine! The Cut Ups are Dan, Pippa, Jack, Reza and Jon (that’s me). However, for these shows our friend Robin is playing the drums instead of Rez. It all began nearly 12 years ago at The Cavern in Exeter. We played our first show on December the 23rd, 2004, which was my 22nd birthday. I wanted to pump up the jams in new and extraordinary ways, so Rez and I set up with a fella called Adam. The lineup that made our new LP (“The Nerves”) has been solid for about 4 years I believe.

How do you think coming from Exeter has influenced the band’s development and sound and do you see this impact on other band’s from the area?

Well, Exeter is quite isolated actually. If you live there, its the main place where everything happens for you, you don’t often go elsewhere – so i guess this means that lots of us get the same influences in similar ways. Everything is centred on the Cavern (which Pippa runs with Dave from Exeter punks Annalise (from No Idea Records, fact fans)) which operates as an alternative venue, but its actually way more than that. As such, there’s been twenty years of community built there around a mix of UK indie and DC punk rock kinds of things, which loads of bands have imbibed to varying degrees. Those bands include and have included Muncie Girls, Annalise, The Computers, Kids Near Water, Tyler, An Emergency, OK Pilot, Shit Present, Some Sort of Threat. For me, the big thing i took from Annalise (around whom the best ideas revolve, and who i got to play guitar for on their last LP) was that there’s no value in pretending that you’re from anywhere else. I’d be a terrible Liverpudlian, or Leedsy, but no-one can doubt my legitimate Exetertonian (that’s the real term!) status. If punk rock is about honesty, then I’d be daft to act otherwise.

What have your previous impressions of Leeds been and what might you be expecting this time?

I really like Leeds, and have always enjoyed playing here. When we played here with Franz Nicolay (from The Hold Steady) as his backing band we got to stay in a Hold Steady mega-fan’s mansion. So i have had very high expectations since then. I’m expecting a butler to serve me lunch, and to have to wear a top hat on stage.

We get a lot of younger people at our gigs and therefore always ask bands if they have any advice or tips for young people thinking of starting out playing music.  What would yours be?

Go and watch as many bands as possible – It’s the best education possible. And listen to Fugazi every day.

Seeing as we have a fair few miles between Exeter and Leeds are there any bands from the South West we might be missing out on that we should investigate?

There’s loads but you’ve probably heard of most. You can have a look at that list up the page a bit, but Woahnows from Saltash are a really really great quirky post hardcore band (you’ve probably heard of them), and I love a hardcore band from Exeter called Fall Children. They are very noisy.

You’ve been going now for over ten years, how do you find managing the changing pressures of life (work, family, friends etc.) that can impact on being in a band?

I just plough on regardless.

If you could recommend one book, film and record to people that has had an impact on your growing up, what would they be?

Yeah, a book would be Great Expectations by Charles Dickens – your friends might get embarrassed by you, and shift on, but you’re alright. keep going.

 A film – I watched La Vita E Bella (Life is Beautiful) when i was 15 and was overwhelmed by the idea that goodness can overcome the effects of the bad things in the world. That hope is more powerful than anything else.

 A record – an impossible question! Today i’ll say Billy Bragg’s first EP – “Life’s A Riot with Spy Vs Spy”, which always sounds like the voice of a young person not settling for what they’re given.

I’m aware that you have had a huge role to play in Exeter with regard to food banks.  Could you tell us a bit more about how you became involved with this area and your thoughts on the huge increase in the use of Food Banks over the past 2-3 years and where you see this going moving forward?

I started a food redistribution project with my friend Martyn – we take “excess” food from supermarkets/wholesalers/manufacturers (the stuff they’re throwing away, even though its still good and tasty) and share it with organisations that feed people, including Food Banks, Hostels, community cafes, school breakfast clubs and soup kitchens. I got involved cos i thought it might be possible, and if it was, then we should at least try. Obviously there have been mistakes made within the welfare state as to how people are given what they need to survive when they’re struggling. So those errors have led to a lot of hungry and desperate people – hence food banks have done brilliant work in making sure that they are fed.

 What has struck me in the five years I’ve been doing this is that actually there is much more waste food than there are hungry people. We completely overproduce in order to give very wide consumer choice. There needs to be an acknowledgement, either corporately or individually, that this can’t continue if we expect the global situation to improve regarding resources (energy, water, oxygen, not just food). So, our style of living on ready meals, every kind of fruit you could imagine, and no planning or preparation can’t last, if we want to see changes to food waste.

Cakes play a pivotal role at Youth Anthems so what’s the dessert of choice for each Cut Up? 

I like anything with chocolate and cream. Pip would choose lemon drizzle. In truth, we’re all obsessed with Krispy Kremes, and its a constant struggle not to eat three a day.

What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you?

Was it Plato or Aristotle who said “Pick up your head, get off the ground. These High Hopes that I have keep me from getting down.”?

Updates!

Hi all,

Sorry it’s been a bit quiet on this site since the last gig but there’s loads going on so I wanted to update you to what was going on behind the scenes…!

(1) The next gigs is going to be a total cracker.  I really think this one might sell out in advance so I really cannot advise getting tickets in advance enough!  Head on over to the gigs page to find out more but COWTOWN ARE PLAYING AT YOUTH ANTHEMS!

(2)  We’re having a really snazzy website being built for us.  I think after three years we need something that wasn’t knocked out in 25 minutes by someone who didn’t know if this would all take off (and didn’t have a clue about webdesign) so this should all be looking pretty sweet pretty soon.

(3)  We’re opening up a Youth Anthems branch in Brighton!  A very good friend of mine asked if they could start doing gigs under the YA banner in Brighton and I thought that it seemed like a cracking idea so it’s happening!  Expect some more news about their first gig soon but if you know anyone who might like our gigs and lives down that way then point them in the direction of HERE for Facebook and HERE for Twitter

(4)  We’re on Instagram!  I literally have no idea what I’m doing with it but it seems fun so follow us @YouthAnthemsLeeds

(5)  What else…?  Oh we’ve started a mailing list.  I find that whilst Social Media is useful for keeping you all informed, with all the weird algorithms sometimes important news gets lost so if you want to make sure you get all the gossip via 4 or 5 emails a year then sign up at: http://eepurl.com/cdW22.

(6)  Nearly there!  BIG NEWS is that we’re also currently booking our first ever YOUTH ANTHEMS TOUR!  That’s right in July and August 2017 we’ll have some great friends from the U S of A coming over and playing nearly two weeks worth of family friendly gigs across the UK.  More information soon!

(7)  Last bit of news.  As you can see there is a load of stuff going on and all of this takes a lot of time on top of my full time job.  I’m also trying to sort out ways of marketing our CD more so we can make mega loads of cash for City of Sanctuary  (whilst on that subject feel free to pick up a CD here).  They’re selling well but I want to make sure we do the best job we can with it!  I’ve also not taken any time since this all started to reflect on how the gigs are run, sort out the finances of it all and generally take on board feedback from you all.  So…after the Cowtown gig in December there might be a longer break than normal before our next gig.  Don’t worry it is just a break so I can concentrate on the Youth Anthems tour and get all things YA related in order.  The very latest we’ll be back at regular gigs will be August 2017 but I’m sure there will be something before then.  So here’s another reason to make sure you grab a ticket for the December gig!

Over and out!

 

Tiny Toes/The Real Junk Food Project Interview

All of you who come to our gigs have been so generous with your clothing and food donations.  We’re really happy that at this gig on August 21st we’ll be collecting food for the Real Junk Food Project, specifically for their branch at Tiny Toes Play Centre in Horsforth (and any food they can’t use will be re-distributed to other local Pay As You Feel projects).

So…if you have any food that you’re not going to use, that perhaps is going out of date or that you just want to donate, then bring it along and we’ll make sure they receive it!

Here’s Deirdre from Tiny Toes to tell us a bit more about them:

Tiny Toes has been running for the past 4 years.  It is run by Pete and Clare (Husband and Wife) Clare has the child background, working and managing Children’s Centres and Pete has the food background cooking amazing food – his stone-baked pizzas are amazing I have to say!!

How did you come to be involved with the Pay as You Feel project?

The guy Adam Smith that founded TRJFP approached Clare and Pete asking them to come on board, himself and his partner where regulars here at Tiny Toes and liked how we run.

 

How do you feel it’s going since its introduction at Tiny Toes?

It has been embraced really well by our customers as we are now a CIC company, and a non profit organisation – our customers are coming on board to the change with us.

For people coming along to the gig what would you like them to bring food wise as a donation?

We welcome any food donations as if we do not use the food in the kitchen to make the meals we can use it for the food boutique that our customers can take.

Cakes are a big part of our gigs (thanks to That Old Chestnut) and I know you always have a great selection on so what’s your personal favourite dessert?

Our customers here at Tiny Toes love our cakes, my personal favorite would have to be red velvet. 

 

Jasmine Kennedy Interview

 

Sarah from Esper Scout pointed me in the direction of Jasmine and I’ve very glad she did! Jasmine is one of those musicians who you genuinely feel grateful to have heard, an absolute musical genius, combining folk, pop and indie in a magical way.  You really are being treated at this gig!

Please introduce yourself!

I’m Jasmine Kennedy; you’re not supposed to have heard of me so don’t worry about it if you haven’t! 

When did you first start playing music and what records were you listening to then? 

I was probably 8ish when I started playing acoustic guitar and wrote my first song. It was about running away from home, of course. I don’t recall exactly what I was listening to aside from cassettes on rotation in my dad’s car. Deacon Blue, Prefab Sprout, Motörhead probably… I was also very in to stories on tape, I think my songwriting has always been influenced more by stories I’ve read and heard than music I’ve listened to. I moved on to electric guitar when I wanted to play a cover of I Believe in a Thing Called Love in my school leavers assembly. Now I happily switch between the two to avoid retuning. 

What advice would you give to young people thinking about picking up an instrument or starting to play gigs?

Do it and do it the way you want to. 

I’ve never been convinced there’s a universal approach to playing/writing music – the best way is the right way for you. You’re never too young (or too old) to give it a go. And try not to be disheartened if/when you’re not as good as you’d like to be right away. You’ll get there. And when you do get there, keep going. 

Is it true that you stood as a candidate for the Green Party?  If so what sparked that off for you and how did you find the whole process?

It is true, yes! I stood as candidate for councillor in Birstall & Birkenshaw. As I was a paper candidate in a ward with a very strong Tory majority it wasn’t quite as involved as you might expect… I was in my PJs on the doorstep when I agreed to do it; it was all very much out of the blue. I felt really out of place throughout most of the process, particularly at the count, the atmosphere was like nothing I’ve known before. I’m really grateful to have been part of it and to have had the chance to experience it but I don’t think you’ll be seeing Jasmine Kennedy MP anytime soon. 

What’s your favourite fact?

I don’t know about favourite but my most used is definitely the fact that Batley is the home of Fox’s biscuits.

You’re playing our third Birthday Party, what was the best Birthday you’ve had?

I’m 94% sure it was my 16th. A group of us hired a YHA camping barn near Trawden. It was midwinter in the middle of nowhere. Entertainment consisted of ourselves, a rickety table football and DVDs with no sound. We ordered a lot of pizza and threw our sleeping mats as near as we safely could to the open fire and enjoyed Nosferatu as narrated by two friends. Some of us have returned a couple of times since, most recently to record a live music video! But I don’t reckon we’ll ever top the first visit. 

Cake plays a fundamental role in all of our gigs, what’s your pudding of choice?

Now there’s a question! I’m going to have to wimp out and pick two. Favourite pudding changes so easily with circumstance. Summer: Lemon top ice cream in Scarborough. 

Winter: Jam Roly Poly & Custard. 

You’ve quite a wide range of cover versions online, how do you decide which ones to pick and are there any bands you’ve been considering recently?

I decided to get a free trial of Adobe Premiere Pro CC and spend the 30 days it lasted recording as many covers as I possibly could. It was a lonely summer. Hence the many covers I have online! I tend to just pick songs I like that I think I won’t ruin. There have been so many songs I love that I’ve tried and failed to do justice to. I sometimes get requests from people to cover songs too which I always take as a compliment and try my best, but the same rules apply if I ruin them they’re going nowhere!

I’ve a list as long as my arm of songs I want to cover! I might do a covers EP. I’m currently workingon Shepherd by Anaïs Mitchell which I’ll never actually record because it’s untouchable. 

Your website mentions a love of Coronation Street.  What’s been your favourite all time corrie storyline?  Any other TV reccomendations for us?

It has to be Roy & Hayley’s wedding. It had the perfect balance of comedy and drama that Corrie does so well. So many perfect moments; group singalong on the coach, Fizz, Beccy and Hayley on the pump wagon, the big reveal of Sophie & Sian’s relationship, Roy’s incredible speech… 

‘The world can change its rules, its laws and its opinions as frequently as it chooses but I will remain standing by you; that will not change.’

Any other business? 

Brb going to rewatch the Roy & Hayley’s wedding episodes. 

Chrissy Barnacle Interview

I really can’t begin to tell you how happy I am that Chrissy has agreed to play one of our gigs.  If you’re a fan of James Yorkston, Bjork, Joanna Newsom or King Creosote then you are going to be a happy camper at our next gig!  Perhaps those are lazy comparisons but I hope they give you a good idea of the level and type of musicianship to expect.  That’s not to mention the fact that should Chrissy decide to stop playing music (and everyone who’s ever heard her hope’s she won’t!) then she’d have a fine career in stand up comedy with her entertaining between song chat (though it’ll be fair enough given the tough PG friendly crowd we have at Youth Anthems if she drops this a bit..!).

So have a listen to some of her music HERE and then whilst you’re enjoying that have a read about what she has to say below:

What’s the best Birthday present you’ve ever received?

In a very practical, Capricorn-esque sense – probably my first guitar and practice amp I received for my 13th birthday – which is still the electric guitar I use in my pop band Joyce Delaney! But equally it could be my polka-dot hot water bottle which has saved me and many other houseguests of mine from the brink of desperation / illness.

 What’s the best advice you’ve been given that you’d like to pass on?

In the depths of misery last summer I got into a habit of buying and entirely demolishing, in single self-destructive sittings, whole boxes of Tesco free-from cornetto’s. During one of these particularly bleak cornetto sessions, while still wearing my gym clothes spotted with melting droplets of ice cream from cornetto’s 3 and 4, I began to feel a strange sense of purpose (v unusual at this point in my life) – and behind my eyes I saw and felt a vision – like a technicolour misery mirage – it was me on a ladder, eyes closed and contented, painting in huge lettering which I later circled – “When you are kind to yourself, you are more easy to be around”.  Which, I think, is probably true. A couple other golden nuggets of advice I’ve been gifted by the universe include: “It is so nice to wake up in the morning and not to have to tell someone that you love them. When you do not love them anymore” Richard Brautigan, “Love Poem” “The theory that people are always searching for their other half is bullshit. Don’t let anyone. Not even a God. Tell you that you are anything less than whole.” Eros is Bullshit: a poem.

What’s the best thing for musicians about living in Scotland?

I can’t really speak with any authority for places outside the central belt but – the best thing for musicians living in Glasgow is the scene! There’s so much going on all the time, and a lot of it is really exciting and unusual – for example, there’s a lot of rly hardworking folk who put on touring bands, a lot of mixed performance / cabaret nights and so many inspirationally creative people making whatever art they want!

What’s the best thing for you about Leeds?

WHARF CHAMBERS. I’ve had some of my favourite nights ever there and I think they provide a rly vital space for the city (and cheap drinks!!!! YAS) But also, the veggie sausage rolls out of Poundbakery. It feels like a purposeful slight that we don’t have access to these North of the border, and I cannot WAIT for the day we get a Poundbakery in Glasgow

What are the best bands out there that we should be listening to?

HERE ARE MY FAVOURITES FROM GLASGOW – Breakfast Muff, Rapid Tan, Joyce Delaney (my band), Finn LeMarinel, Lawrence Made Me Cry!!

 

What is the best cake?

On the Biscuit-to-Cake spectrum I think my favourites tend to lie slightly to the North of centre – so cookies, rocky roads, millionaire shortbreads etc. would be my preference. But that being said a vanilla cake with Irn Bru icing never goes a miss!

 

What’s the best thing we should all do to prepare for a Chrissy Barnacle gig?

I’ve had a long think about it, and with some advice from my friends in Ay Carmela who I am staying with before we drive up to Indie Tracks we’ve come up with some suggestions. None of these suggestions are strictly necessary to enjoy the set – for that you only need an open mind, and to have felt a feeling. But if you’d like to prepare for any eventuality afterwards (as I do) you might want to follow these steps. Check that you’re home water pressure is adequate and plenty hot water is available to take a renewing and scorching/cleansing shower when you return. Find and place next to your bed a notebook and pen so may write unrestricted. (We must all remember our lore is our best and most important creation.) Finally, prepare to go out into the world and YOLO with new found passion.

 

Trust Fund Interview

 

Well this is a bit of a coup right?  I’ll admit when I booked this gig I only expected one of the bands to be able to play and I thought I’d get some less well known bands to support.  But when all four headliners get back to you then what can you do except put on one heck of a gig!

If you’re not familiar with Trust Fund then lucky for you we have some information straight from the mouth of a babe.  We’re super lucky to have a solo performance from Ellis and you really are in for a treat.  Have a read of this review here from Pitchfork to get a better idea of what to expect musically.

I think we’ve got a really lovely atmosphere for this gig and I think Ellis will be a great part of that.  For a chap from Bristol he’s really representing Leeds well (the new album title references The Harolds in Hyde Park and if you don’t recognise at least one person in the Dreams video then you’ve not been looking round enough at the gigs!)

So as ever, have a read, have a listen and enjoy (and get a Jumper that Ellis’ Dad designed)

 

So who or what is Trust Fund and how did it start?

Hiya! Trust Fund is a band that started playing shows in Bristol in about 2012, but it’s also a name that I’ve given to music that I make on my own since about 2010, or maybe earlier. I don’t remember how it started really. I thought it was a funny name but it doesn’t seem that funny now.

You’re originally from Bristol but now reside in Leeds, how did that come about and how do the two compare?

I moved to Leeds to go to university – I’m doing a PhD which is mainly about how social media affects DIY music, maybe in some bad ways. It’s pretty similar to Bristol in that it’s a city that is big enough to have at least one of everything. I think weirdly Leeds is maybe more gentrified in terms of city centre bars and restaurants and stuff, but it also has cheaper rent and cool places like Wharf Chambers. I like both cities a lot.

It’s our Birthday party you’re playing so what’s the best Birthday you’ve had?

My most memorable birthday was when I was 10 – I had a football party, and when I was playing in goal my dad took a really hard shot at me and in saving it I broke my arm. Some people might say that your dad breaking your arm on your birthday is not the best thing that could happen, but I got loads of attention and sympathy, and probably extra presents.

When it comes to recording how does it work for Trust Fund? Do you write everything or do you get certain members involved?

I write most of it, and then for some things people write their own parts. We have sometimes recorded in a studio, and sometimes I have done it in my house — you can usually tell because it sounds terrible when I record it myself.

How have you found Leeds as a musician? Are their particular pros and cons specific to Leeds for you?

I don’t know about as a musician, cos I don’t feel that involved in making music here – most of Trust Fund live in other cities. But as a person who likes going to gigs it’s great. You couldn’t ask for more.

What are your top three things to do in Leeds when you’re not gigging?

I like walking around Woodhouse Ridge, and currently I am combining that with looking for Pokémon. I really like Hyde Park Picture House and I see a lot of films there. I also like swimming and I like going to new swimming pools — Bramley pool is a weird and fun place that I would recommend.

Top three desserts?

Well I’m vegan which means my favourite desserts are really boring, and also I mainly only have dessert when I make it, I think. The desserts I like making most are lemon sponge cake, chocolate orange tart, and pineapple upside down cake. I have made all of them once.

Top three records that led to the Trust Fund sound being created?

A Hard Day’s Night by The Beatles Blonder and Blonder by The Muffs You Can’t Hide Your Love Forever by Orange Juice

If you had to recommend one album to a young person just figuring out music for themselves what would it be and why?

Oh, I think it’s up to you. Whatever you hear that sounds weird and fun.

Top three animals?

Axolotls, dogs, and worms.

Parting words?

Goodbye forever!

Updates!

Hello fellow users of the World Wide Web!  Once again I find myself apologising to you for the lack of updates here.  Well here’s a handy bullet point list for you:

1.  The last gig was aaaaaaaaaaaawesome!  How good were those bands?  The crowd were pretty good too (pat yourselves on the back!).  We also raised £250  for Wheatfield’s Hospice so genuinely thanks for all of your kind contributions.
2. The next gig is our third Birthday party so I’ve put together a BIG line up.  We’ve had quite a few noisy ones lately so whilst it won’t be totally sedate (it is a party after all!) all the bands will be suitable for all ages and will be nearly all acoustic.
3. The CDs had some issues with being pressed but the pressing has now been OK’d by the pressing plant (thank you Discwizards!) so anyone who has ordered one will have it with them within the next two weeks and I will be posting up pictures as soon as they are here (so expect more information ASAP!).  City of Sanctuary need as much help as possible with the current political climate so I hope we can raise them some serious dosh with this project (it’s also an incredible CD it that helps).

Fig By Four Interview

Without sounding too bombastic Sarah really is an icon within the Leeds music scene.  Whether playing in Esper Scout, Molars, Ecate, in Fig By Four or being involved with Chunk or Bomb The Twist (not to even mention the City of Culture bid) she really covers a lot of important bases and really represents what is great about the local scene.  We’re lucky Manchester’s loss was our gain (in your face Manchester!) so here’s an inspiring little chat with Sarah before she opens up the next Youth Anthems gig.

What’s your name and where do you come from?

It’s a play on ‘four by four’. My favourite number married with a distaste of urban-tank 4x4s. It came to mind and stuck. I had a habit of eating dried figs at the time which happens every so often. Figging is also a form of torture but I won’t share that with the kids. I’m from Manchester. That’s where I started in bands when I was 15 or so. I’ve lived in Leeds for around eight years, coming here to study cinema and photography at university.

When did you first start writing and performing under the Fig by Four name?

Even though I’d consider drums to be my main instrument, it was a classical guitar that my nana and grandad bought me from their local market which came first. I learnt some cover songs and wrote a couple when I was maybe fourteen, half my life ago. After a short while I began focusing mainly on beats until the band that was to become Esper Scout moved to Leeds and needed a guitarist, and later a singer. It took ten years for me to pick it up again. I started putting chords and words together, admittedly with a feeling of tentative uncertainty about if it’d be any good. I still have that but with some grounding and direction. I’m a drummer with tendonitis. I thump things with a balance of cautious anxiety and carelessness in the moment.

How do you decide which songs are going to be for your solo work and which for Esper Scout?

There is some overlap in terms of me being able to rearrange some of the band’s songs to play solo. Ultimately though the more I pursue Fig by Four, the more I realise the two draw from completely different parts of myself. That’s not always the case, but with the four of us I find the lyrical roots are often of a noticeably political or at least directly social and passionately stirred nature. The message is a bit more urgent. Not an outright agenda but an ethos and atmosphere I guess. By contrast Fig by Four has a delicacy of tone you could say. Maybe I could put it like that. I seem to allow myself to indulge in productive and cathartic self deprecation and wistfulness a bit more. Still with an aim to be positive like Esper Scout, but more personally pointed and introspective. Turning frustrations and nagging daily expectations into a happier reality. But yeah, needless to say there’s more room for a love song or allowance for idiosyncratic quirks when it’s me alone. In ES I’m conscious of representing and uniting Kirsty, Abbi and Rebecca’s voices with mine. It’s a group effort bond band.

What sort of gigs do you find yourself playing and how do you find them compared with playing in a full band?

My first solo ‘set’ I think was an Elliott Smith tribute night in Leeds. I brought an Esper Scout song and my version of Smith’s ‘Twilight’. It’s still my favourite of his and lovely to play. The gig was quietly attended by a few friends and a handful of strangers. A couple of which have said hello a couple of years later which is nice. I remember it well. There are some gigs which have been offered to ES but we can’t be available for them so if I can do I’ll offer myself up. Experience is good and every show is a chance to build on what you have and see and meet new faces. There’s no question that it’s more nerve-wracking to perform alone, but usually I only realise that after the fact. I’ve started to notice my ‘just say yes and get on with it’ attitude recently. The same applies to the band too. I only felt the effects of the daunting London Roundhouse show that we played with the Cribs in a brief quiet moment some time later. Often they never come, those pieces of reality sinking in. Things can mean so much to me that I get so swept up in them and become overwhelmed to a point of numbness. So in that sense any gig, whether it’s solo, guitar, drums whatever, is very much the same. I do enjoy things, but they can pass me by too easily. Try to catch the fleeting journeysteps.

I know you are involved in the Leeds bid for Capital of Culture so what do you think are the most important cultural treasures in Leeds we should be making more use of?

Yeah, two years left to pull the bid together and if successful the celebrations will be in 2023. Chunk, the co-op practice space and venue we help maintain and grow would be my first mention. It’s a big collection of caring heads and hearts. Likewise musically Wharf Chambers and The Brudenell being obvious venue shouts. I’m a support worker by day and through that I get to see a lot of the city. The Tetley gallery in town, trips to Kirkstall Abbey (in my ‘hood), the Leeds-Liverpool canal and Meanwood Park are gems. Leeds is one if the best cities in the world and summer’s coming.

Since we last interviewed you with Esper Scout have there been any new local bands on your radar we should be checking out?

Oil are great! New, fun friends of the band who I’ve met through ES’s involvement in Chunk. Featuring members of Bearfoot Beware, ZoZo and Cattle. More from them soon. ZoZo are one of the best live bands you’ll see, we’re looking forward to releasing a split 7″ with them. Sabrina Piggott has a lovely way of songwriting too, with a warming Irish accent. Recommend! This person isn’t Leeds based but I think younger music lovers would really enjoy the new Frankie Cosmos album ‘Next Thing’. It’s bouncy and innocent but with real depth for someone who wrote those songs in her late teens/early twenties. Earlier this month I went to New York with my girlfriend, who’s a big fan of hers, to see both album release gigs at a DIY space in her local Brooklyn surroundings. A special gal. Melodic and intuitive.

Do you have any top tips for anyone thinking about doing some solo gigs if they’ve been used to playing in a band?

It’s nerve wracking at first for sure. Not having that family comfort. I play one or two Esper Scout songs in my set at the moment, an opportunity to know them differently. Lyrics tend to come across with increased attentiveness when it’s just voice and guitar. The chance to bare my emotions nakedly is a test of character and confidence, with no other sounds to hide within or people to stand amongst. Thankfully my motivation supersedes my nerves, at least enough to deter me from bottling a gig or let hesitation irrationally block me from putting a song out for others to hear. I must credit the encouragement of others a lot too. I write and play because it’s a compulsion I can’t seem to ignore, but boosts from outside myself can mean a great deal.

What question do you wish we would have asked and what would the answer be?

I love to travel, so I suppose something around that would always be welcome. I get real clarity of mind when moving around and open-eyed in new places. Or familiar ones with refreshing things happening. Recently in New York I visited the Interference Archive (a collective who preserve flyers, zines and documents from decades of oppositional political action). Seeing an anti-gun protest and the buzz of a Bernie Sanders rally immediately after leaving. As well as more the routine people-watching on the streets and subway was inspirational, enriching and familiar to my soul. So far away yet I feel I know that bit more surely who I am and what ideals in life are and mean. Leeds is a wonderful place to come home to, despite the end-of-trip blues clouding me for a couple of days this time as usual. With Chunk and bands and some of the best music venues I’ve been to right on my doorstep and a supportive, growing community. It’s home, as much as I feel like I’ve left pieces of myself elsewhere that I’d like to reunite with.