website : Walking with the beast
INTERVIEW : Theo Verney
(Italian Beach Babes Records)
Can you explain your process of recording, how you work and the genesis of T.V E.P?
I record and play all the instruments myself. I start out with ideas on guitar and then built a song from them adding layers. T.V E.P was the result of me leaving my previous band and going solo.
What your lyrics are talking about?
They generally reflect my feelings or thoughts at the time of writing. Some are pretty abstract though.
How did your collaboration with Italian Beach Babes Records happen?
My boys Boneyards released one of their EPs through IBB so I gave them an email, simple as that.
T.V E.P is available only on cassette, what do you think of this support?
Cassettes are great. They are cheap to produce and give you something physical to own.
Can you say few words about the artwork of T.V E.P?
It was drawn by Tatiana Kartomten. I wanted to portray the feeling of boredom and frustration which I think she captured beautifully. The songs on the EP are centred around those subjects.
Tatiana Kartomten’s drawings are also on some Ty Segall projects covers (Slaughterhouse, Fuzz). Do you feel particularly close to what he is, to his music?
Ty is great. I played with him last year and it was one of the best shows I went to. I like his ethos of churning out a lot of music, I try to do the same.
Who play with you on stage?
My best friends "Humble" Joe and Alex "Bleeding Drums Murphy"
How is the music scene in Brighton at this time?
I think the Brighton scene kind of sucks. Not enough people go to shows. They are some good bands though. Birdskulls who I produce for are good friends. The Green Door Store is probably the best venue down here.
Do you produce other bands?
Yeah I produce bands for a living. It’s cool because they’re usually friends and I get to listen to a wide range of genres.
More generally what do you think about the English rock scene nowadays?
I think in general the English rock scene is definitely getting a lot better. There are a lot of smaller labels releasing great stuff , like Art is hard, Italian Beach Babes, Hate Hate Hate.
What do you listen to at the moment?
At the moment I’m listening to mostly Black Sabbath who have been my favorite band since I was a kid and also Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats. Heavier stuff really, bands like Sleep and Electric Wizard as well.
Did you listen to the last album of Black Sabbath?
The new Sabbath album is cool, anything involving Rick Rubin and Sabbath was going to be sick.
Have you some hidden influences? Some stuff you really like to listen but we can’t really hear in your music.
I love hip hop, Mobb Deep, Nas and M.O.P are some of my favourite music.
How would you describe your own sound?
I guess psychedelic garage grunge?
What is the last work you really enjoyed, which really touched you? It can be a LP, a movie, a novel, a drawing, whatever.
I can’t really think of anything that’s really touched me. I think traveling to cool places helps me feeling fresh and inspired.
What are your future projects?
Big things!