Interviews
The Skinny discusses new releases and record choices with prominent artists and producers; covering everything from albums and songs to influences and matters of the heart.
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InterviewsFoals Let Off Some Steam
Hyped to the hilt and on the fast track to becoming as ubiquitous as chips, Foals are quickly becoming one of the country's hottest and most divisive new bands. With the imminent release of debut LP Antidotes, Billy Hamilton sat shower-side with frontman Yannis to chat about all things 'industry' over a palate-whetting glass of Campari... Read more »| 06 Mar 2008 -
InterviewsYouthmovies: "Definitely not Enya"
Hold up, the silly genre name game is back! This month Finbarr Bermingham catches up with Foals alum Andrew Mears of rising 'hop prog emo jazz' stars in the making Youthmovies to find out whether the "band's band" are ready to step out of the shadows Read more »| 06 Mar 2008 -
InterviewsIt's all ch-ch-change for Stephen Malkmus
Influential indie rock titans Pavement might have dissolved a few years back, but this month marks the return of their illustrious frontman. Hamza K tracked down rock star in hiding Stephen Malkmus to talk about the Jicks, 'ze Germans' and the trouble with bad book titles Read more »| 06 Mar 2008 -
Interviews
Parka
Neal Parsons pulls up a stool beside the Glaswegian quartet as they stop off for a swift pint at Tut's before they descend on the rest of the UK, one city at a time Read more »| 05 Feb 2008 -
Interviews
The Mars Volta - Bringing out the dead
The latest LP from this El Paso prog posse is one born of late night tour bus Ouija board sessions that they claim invoked spirits strong enough to cast the band's world into chaos. Members left or suffered mental breakdowns, songs went missing and Cedric Bixler-Zavala ultimately became obsessive to the point that Omar Rodríguez-López had to steal the soothsaying 'gift' back and bury it in the desert. All that transcendental drama to produce what is easily one of their heaviest, most accomplished records to date. Dave Kerr put Egon Spengler on hold and spoke directly to the Mars Volta's helmsmen in an effort to make some sense of The Bedlam in Goliath. Read more »| 05 Feb 2008 -
Interviews
Introducing: Yeasayer
Meet another Brooklyn band with an indiscriminate musical ear: this is Yeasayer, who released a debut album at the end of 2007, All Hour Cymbals, which is as colourful as the end of a rainbow, and equally as packed with treasures. Ally Brown plays leprechaun with Ira Wolf Tuton for a bit Read more »| 05 Feb 2008
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Interviews
Bob Mould: spinning plates
It's been three years since Bob Mould recorded a guitar album, but in that time he's been busy remixing, releasing electronic records and DJing a successful club night. Matt Gollock speaks to the ex-Sugar and Hüsker Dü legend about his return to the six strings he started with and the new roads he's chosen in-between Read more »| 05 Feb 2008 -
Interviews
The Mountain Goats
Prolific singer songwriter John Darnielle may be indie music's best kept secret, winning acolytes and accolades as half of The Mountain Goats. But with a new album and a globe spanning tour, 2008 could be their biggest year yet. Hamza K caught up with him in Glasgow to discuss horror movies, cheap thrills and the never-ending urge to write
Read more »| 05 Feb 2008 -
InterviewsLife to Black Francis
At times he has been Frank Black, at others, Black Francis. However, when Darren Carle patches in a call to the erstwhile Pixies frontman at his home in Eugene, Oregon, he is simply Charles Thompson, dutiful husband and father of four
""I can't give the world the Pixies but I'll give them Black Francis, whatever that symbolises. I'm trying to just not fight it."" Read more »| 05 Feb 2008 -
Interviews
Halt! Los Campesinos!
SF: As the indie rock blogosphere whoops along to the contagious harmonies of Los Campesinos!, Billy Hamilton sits down with Neil and Tom to see how their nerves are holding up ahead of the eagerly awaited release of their debut LP this month Read more »| 05 Feb 2008 -
Interviews
Earth's second Sun
Having previously quit music for several years after releasing a string of influential drone metal records, this month Dylan Carlson solidifies his return with the release of Earth's sixth - and perhaps most accomplished - effort to date. Carlson talks drone 101 with Tobias Kahn before the latest incarnation of the group hit Glasgow in February Read more »| 05 Feb 2008 -
Interviews
New Blood: Damn Shames
Bands are getting younger and younger these days. So at nearly 20, Damn Shames have obviously left it late. But, as Nick Mitchell finds, there's hope for the old-timers yet. Read more »| 05 Feb 2008 -
Interviews
British Sea Power's theory of relativity
SF: Counting Einstein and Canvey Island FC amongst their preferred subject matter, Brighton quartet British Sea Power have never appeared too concerned with being cool. That might seem like a paradoxical statement, but speaking to frontman Yan as he lounges on his Brighton sofa, Finbarr Bermingham finds out that it really is more about pigeons than Pete Doherty 'round his gaff…
PQ: ""The most rock 'n' roll thing I've ever done is probably eaten a Kit Kat and a Jammie Dodger all in one go"" - Yan Read more »| 05 Feb 2008 -
Interviews
The Duke Spirit was built to last
Anyone who has seen Liela Moss perform live might fear for Paul Mitchell's safety as he ventures forth to chat with her about femininity, band democracy and The Duke Special's feisty new record. Wish him luck… Read more »| 05 Feb 2008 -
Interviews
Black Mountain - A Stormy High
Axl Rose might have a fanbase so large that he can afford to shed a few thousand members for every month he postpones the release of the Chinese Democracy, but when today's fickle downloader wants more music from their favourite new band no sooner than they've had their first fix, the two years that Vancouver quintet Black Mountain and their fierce brand of psych rock have spent away from the public eye could have cost them dearly. Now they're back with what could prove to be their career-defining LP, Amber Webber and Matt Camirand tell Dave Kerr what kept them in the game. Read more »| 06 Jan 2008