GARY OG INTERVIEW
An exclusive and different interview to the Starlights is that of Gary OG, Born in Glasgow, Gary has been a mainstay of the Glasgow/Irish scene for over a decade fronting such bands as Eire Og and Partisan. He enjoyed a successful solo career recording with such heavyweight artists as Shane McGowne and Damien Dempsey. He was also part of the highly acclaimed “The Unity Squad” tours.
Gary rarely from what i can find interviews so was very privelaged to secure this interview. Im sure you will agree this is a fascinating read into his thoughts on music, politics and celtic.
Hi Gary, can you give us a update on what your up to at the moment? Are you working on any new projects you can you tell us about?
I’m just plugging away as ever, “giving it the message” and hopefully doing a little good along the way. I’m still involved with “The Exiles” which is a fun sideline from the seriousness of my solo projects.
As far as new projects go, I’m still working on the new album, trying to get it right and hopefully it’ll see the light of day in the next few months.
A lot of fans have wanted me to ask about a new Exiles album? Is this something your considering?
I don’t know if you would call it a “new” album as we have yet to make one at all, but I get the point. It is most definitely something that we will get round to in the future. It is however, a little difficult for us all to find the spare time to write,rehearse and record the material required due to all the other commitments that we all have away from the band. We’ll get there though.
Can you tell me how you became politically minded? And where you see the struggle now in the present time?
I have been fairly politically minded since I was very young. I can remember getting into trouble as a young teenager in Modern Studies at school for giving the local MP a bit of going over for several issues. It didn’t go down well with the teacher but I was well on my way at that age to being very interested in politics and more importantly, being willing to stand up for my beliefs.
I most certainly believe that there has been progress made in Ireland over the last decade or so. We’ve seen almost total demilitirisation over the six counties(although not total, as the military intelligence operations are still ongoing), the formation of a government in which Nationalist politicians hold many key positions, a huge surge in people taking up the Gaelic language, to name just a few of the areas in which that progress has been made.
I think there is still some way to go before the end goal is realised, ie: a united 32 county country ran completely by the peole of the island, but I feel today that the Irish people are well on the way to that goal. There are issues, don’t get me wrong, that don’t sit entirely comfortable with me. But I find no constructive reason for me to pick out single issues and have a go about them. I believe that, if overall progress is being made then that is the most important thing.
Do you feel as passionate about the songs as you did when you first started gigging? What influences have kept you going throughout your life?
I think everybody changes as they grow older, sometimes for the better, and obviously, somtimes for the worst. I’ll let other people decide for themselves how I’ve changed down the years. One thing I can say though is that I no longer sing a number of the songs I used to. This is not because I no longer feel passionate about them, but more to do with the changing political climate around the world today. I have always tried to be relevant in what I sing. I don’t just make albums for the sake of it, I try to sing songs that at that moment in time will affect change, and hopefully, that change will be for the good.
Down the years ther have been many big infuences on my thinking. I think the first big one was meeting and staying with the Jordan family in Belfast. At the time I was travelling back and forth to Belfast playing a number of gigs and I would stay with them when I was there. Their son Pearse was killed by the RUC in the early 90’s and this was, for me the first real connection I had to the fact that the war or “The Troubles” was in fact a very realistic thing. I spent a long time with the Jordan family, I listened to their stories of their life experience, we would sing songs into the wee hours of the night, all of which left an indellible mark on me which will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I also owe a lot in terms of inspiration to musical figures. Guys like Terry O’Neill and Declan McGlaughlin have at different times taught me life lessons, helped me musically and been good mates for a number of years.
To be honest the list is far too extensive to list them all, but they are numerous.
Eire Og as you have no doubt been told many times are great favourites with many are there any unreleased tracks that could still be released on cd?
Every band that gets to the stage of recording music usually ends of with spare tracks lying around on tape. However, there is usually a reason that they weren’t released in the first place. So to answer yuor questions, yes but no!
How much do Celtic play a part in your life? And what are your thoughts on the current regime in charge? In particular the chairmen John Reid?
I grew up a celtic fan, spent many years a season book holder, travelled the world supporting them so I guess you can say they played quite a big part in my life. This however has changed somewhat in recent years. I have watched with dismay over the last few years the commercialisation of the club, the ever increasing prices in an ever decreasing economy, the questionable sponsorships(Carling and Nike, both of which are companys that won’t sit too well with anyone who looks into their histories in relation to exploitation of workers), and most recently the appointment of the war criminal John Reid.
I realised a while back that I could no longer support a club that involves such people and organisations. This is easier said than done though. I will remain a fan of the club, but I haven’t been to a game now for a few years and I never will go back unless things change quite considarably.
What is your favourite venue to play and why?
The Barrowlands, without a doubt. It’s history, it’s size, it’s atmosphere. I’ve never played anywhere that i enjoy as much as the old girl herself.
And finally Gary a question from The Huddleboard…..
Have you ever been chased in the street when you get mistaken for Kenny Miller?
Not yet. I keep telling everyone though, I’m older than him so he looks like me and not the other way about. Given the nature of the supports, I think it more likely Kenny Miller will be chased down the street for looking like Gary Og.
***RODDY HART INTERVIEW***
Hi Roddy and thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for The Starlight Jams!
The new record has a different feel to it. Bookmarks began life without a band – just a collection of songs I had that I wanted to record. The band formed around those songs, and I was lucky enough to have some great collaborations on it. But with the new record I wanted to capture the power of the band playing – we’re all better musicians now, and play more cohesively as a band. It’s not as much of a “country” record as Bookmarks was – I would say it’s rockier, has more of an E Street Band feel to it. I’m excited about it.
I guess to reach as many people as possible. Things seem difficult in the music industry at the moment and it’s hard to get noticed. For every one act that gets signed there’s another 10 just as worthy acts trying hard to stay afloat. I licensed the last record out to a label in the UK and a label in the US, and I guess that’s what might happen with this new record. I try not to concern myself too much with that though, because if you go chasing after big money deals then you’re in it for the wrong reason. The internet gets a bad rap, but at least it now allows smaller acts to be heard without much money behind them. So ,we’ll see what happens, but it will be out one way or another next year.
I don’t really know where the songs come from. Sometimes they just appear and you kind of have to go with it – mostly for me it’s a melody and chords first with nonsensical words. Usually a couple of phrases will stand out and round that I’ll write the lyrics. I can’t really write under pressure, and I don’t enjoy it, so most ideas come from just jamming on the guitar or the piano. I do write quite a lot, it’s the recording that takes time for me. I’m hoping to record another album before the end of the year live in the studio with the band, because I have another bunch of songs ready to go, and I want to prove to myself that we can do a quick recording session.
I don’t feel any pressure to write a hit song, having never had one in my life!! I write what I want to hear, and if other people like it then it’s a bonus. The minute you start to write what you think other people will like then you’re in trouble.
It’s getting easier – I had years of just getting up there with an acoustic guitar, and so the early days of the band were difficult in some respects. But I always had a band playing in my head, and I love the companionship that comes with it. I’m lucky to have some really great players in the band who believe in what we’re doing, so that gives you confidence, and let’s you try new things without worrying you’ll look like an idiot.
I had piano lessons when I was 8 but gave up soon after because I didn’t enjoy it. When I was about 12 I thought I’d give music one last try and took up the guitar. I never looked back after that, and got back to the piano when I was about 17.
When you start writing and recording your own material you can fall out of the habit of listening to music sometimes, just because you’re so involved in your own process. But music of all sorts is the lifeblood of songwriting to me, it can spark off a million ideas in your head, and so I try to listen to as much as I can. There’s great stuff around at the moment like Bon Iver, Kings of Leon etc, but I always come back to the masters: Dylan, Springsteen, and early Jackson Browne. They never fail to inspire me.
Sure! Emmylou Harris is obviously up there – she’s a great interpreter of songs, and her harmonies are always inspired. I also love Gillian Welch, a great songwriter and performer. To work with either of them would be amazing.
Roddy Hart can be found www.myspace.com/roddyhart
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Hi there all, welcome to my first interview!
Here is a small bio about Josh Rouse.
Biography
Born in the small town of Paxton, Nebraska, he moved to various places in the Midwest during his childhood due to his father’s military career. Following his time at Austin Peay State University, he eventually settled down in Tennessee, where he met some local musicians and began recording.
The initial recordings he put to tape eventually became his debut release, Dressed Up Like Nebraska. Released to critical acclaim, it allowed him to tour and begin performing full time, eventually releasing a second album, Home, in 2000. His songs would later be featured on a variety of television shows and movie soundtracks.
In 2002 Rouse released Under Cold Blue Stars, his first for Rykodisc. Following a tour with Guster, he would release another album, 1972. A concept album of sorts, in the style of songwriters from the time of his birth, it was released in 2003. In 2005, he released Nashville, which featured the single “Winter in the Hamptons”. In 2006, Subtítulo, was released, which corresponded with his move to Spain.
Along with his normal full-length albums, Rouse occasionally releases EPs featuring demos and alternate takes on his personal Bedroom Classics label. The volumes are usually limited to small numbers in release, and for sale only through his website or at live performances. In 2007, Rouse released a duet EP with Paz Suay under the moniker She’s Spanish, I’m American.
Rouse opened for John Mayer on a string of dates from January 25 to February 3 for Mayer’s winter 2007 tour.[1]
A new album, Country Mouse City House, was released July 2007. The album was promoted by a US tour in September and October, followed by a European tour in November and December. [2]
In April 2008, Josh announced his official website www.joshrouse.com[3] will become Bedroom Classics Closet Archives, where for a yearly subscription users can download rare and unreleased recordings in MP3 format. The first three of these releases are a complete live recording of December 7th 2007 performance at The Shepherds Bush Empire in London; 4 additional recordings from an April 20th 2006 KCRW radio performance with a string quartet (the rest of this performance is available of the digital EP ‘Guitar and Strings’) and the 5 track Bedroom Classics Vol.3, featuring 4 new original compositions and a cover of Mother Love Bone’s Chloe Dancer.
The new album for 2009 is currently been worked on by Josh.
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THE STARLIGHTS JAMS PRESENTS THE JOSH ROUSE INTERVIEW
I recently got the chance to ask Josh some questions about what he is up to and his feelings on certain things.Enjoy the read!
Hi Josh and thanks for taking some time out to answer some questions for The Starlight Jams
First off I would like to ask you what can we expect from your new record?
I’m still working on it. About half of the record I’m singing in Spanish. There’s lot’s of strings and percussion.
When writing your new album how hard is it to narrow down the song selection and to also piece it together for an album tracklist?
It depends, some records are more difficult than others. I usually don’t write to many songs for a record so I don’t leave to many out. I think my records have a lot of variety so I’m not too choosy, the song just needs to have “something. Sequencing the disc is usually fairly easy, the songs kind of fall into place, or there’s inter-changeable song slots.
How challenging is it to transform the record into a live performance?
If there are a lot of arrangements and your doing it acoustic, it’s difficult. The chord progression and melody/words have to keep the listener’s attention. I try my best to get a close approximation of what’s on record, but it’s hard. You have to treat the live experience and recording as 2 separate things sometimes.
Do you believe in the theory that people(fans) buy concert tickets to see
bands/preformers believe in themselves?
I’ve never heard of that theory. I think fans spend time hearing and consuming an artist so when they arrive to their city/town, they just have to go see the living being and what kind of vibe they have. I just went to see Joao Gilberto and of course he justs sits there in front of thousands whispering, and playing beautiful music. It didn’t need production/ charisma. The music spoke and let you drift into your own world, that’s what I look for in a show.
“I think fans spend time hearing and consuming an artist so when they arrive to their city/town they just have to go see the living being and what kind of vibe they have”
Do you ever have time to sit and reflect on how you help people’s lives with your music? How does that make you feel?
It’s kind of hard to put yourself in a fan’s shoes. I’ve thought about it, and while I appreciate their admiration, I always feel embarrassed by “you’ve helped me with your music”.
Artists sometimes say the best songs are written in 20mins, they are like a dream everything just comes together. Whats your thoughts on that? Or can a song that has taken hours on end still become that dream?
Yes, usually the most immediate songs are written quickly. A song that has taken months or a year can also turn out beautiful as well, it’s just more work for you!!!!
Is melody more important to you than lyrics? Or vice versa? Or both very important?
They are both important but in general, without a good melody people will tire and not pay attention no matter how great the lyrics are.
Does writing a film score intrest you at all?
I would love to, but i haven’t been offered anything.
And finally has Josh splashed out on any new musical equipment for the upcoming tour?
I have a classical guitar that I play and that’s it.
Thanks for taking the time out to answer the questions Josh.Good luck with the new record and the tour.
Well there you go the first interview up hope you enjoyed the read.
Josh’s new “Best Of Rykodisc Years” is available now !!
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