Latest 7 magazine

Musician Nitin Sawhney talks to Andy Morton

Though one might be excused for unfamiliarity with Nitin Sawhney’s name – the singles chart has never been his domain – he has been a prolific presence within British popular music for nearly two decades. He’s very much a musician for his times, undeniably contemporary, nonetheless drawing assuredly on various musical traditions to create works of depth and freshness. He’s also recognised for his commitments to education, cultural awareness and community building, as attested by his patronage of numerous arts organisations, including Access-To-Music and the Raindance Film Festival; frequent commentary via TV discussion shows such as Newsnight and HardTalk, and a slew of honorary degrees. An erudite conversationalist – referencing Planck and Schrödinger by way of inspiration – he speaks with the same thoughtfulness and quiet conviction which infuses albums such as the Mercury-nominated Beyond Skin and last year’s London Underground. The latter draws inspiration from dynamic shifts in city life in the wake of 7/7. Whilst not a ‘concept album’ in the strict sense, it bristles with ideas; songs flowing together, creating a narrative thread and leading listeners on an emotional journey.
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With soul and blues in abundance Foy Vance is fast becoming a star in the making. Jeff Hemmings spoke to him

In this age of tags where ‘singer-songwriter’ could denote anyone of varying ability, from Joni Mitchell to yer hopeless ‘talent’ down at the local open mic, it’s difficult to know which way to turn, and to stop cynicism in its tracks. ‘Yeah, he’s just another singer songwriter,’ could be the world-weary refrain. But if you take time to engage in Foy Vance you might just come out thinking, ‘wow, where did he come from!’
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Charlie from The Rumble Strips took some time out to talk to Jeff Hemmings

The revival in pre-beat music can be heard everywhere it seems, even in darkest, deepest Devon, which in places evokes a land that time forgot. Which is no bad thing, as Devon’s The Rumble Strips have proved over the last couple of years with their indie rock’n’roll hybrid. There are hints of it in the haircuts and dress sense; a sort of less preening version of American Grafitti. Much more rough ’n’ ready these boys, as befits their rural roots (it’s really the domain of urbanites to over wax and ween; likewise you wont find any ‘orange’ victims in the countryside either)…
So, The Rumble Strips, a name that evokes drag strips, racing cars and softball teams… “I was playing i-spy with my brother, and his question was something beginning with R. Rumble Strips are those strips (bumps) on the side of the road, that separate the road from the hard shoulder…” Well, goddam! I never knew that, and thank lead singer Charlie for bringing me up to speed on that one. I subsequently learn that this is an American term, used on ‘highways’; again, befitting a rural English band who are plainly in love with the sound of early rock ’n’ roll and the American Dream. “Yes, I’m totally into early rock ’n’ roll,” says Charlie, “like early doo-wop.” (note the emphasis on ‘early’, a sign of a true fan). He namechecks acts such as Billy Ward & The Dominoes and Dion & The Belmonts. Bill Ward’s band contained both Clyde McPhatter (who went on to form The Drifters) and Jackie Wilson.
Which brings us to those comparisons with Kevin Rowland of Dexy’s Midnight Runners, and who had a big hit with their homage to Jackie Wilson. “Yeah, I met him once for an NME interview, where we interviewed each other. We both said we didn’t sound like each other. And they never ran the interview!”
The new Rumble Strips material has been produced by uber-producer Mark Ronson, and Waller says expect a much more grand, less rattly sound.
The Rumble Strips, Tuesday 24 March, Komedia

Michael Eavis takes time out from milking his cows in Glastonbury to talk to Andy Morton about life at the top of the festival tree

The first thing I did after completing my interview with Britain’s – and perhaps the world’s – best-loved festival organiser, was to re-set my watch to the correct, five minutes-earlier, time. Clearly a man of routine, he was anxious to get in the pool for his daily morning swim.
Apologies dispensed with, he dove into the interview with understated enthusiasm. Genial and quick to laughter, he spoke with a humility rare in one so successful – this, perhaps, a product of his still-firm Methodist faith. But there was pride too, for the iconic performances captured over the years, and not least for his daughter, Emily; who has made her mark on the festival with ‘The Park‘. This 15 acre, quarter-million pound field has become established as a highlight, so much so that Eavis quips, ‘I’m worried now – she’s doing better than we are!’ His legacy, he declares, will be safe in her hands.
With a 39-year well-spring of Glastonbury memories to draw from, I could happily have listened to him for hours – but professional obligation behoved me to shoehorn in a few questions.

You’ve famously an eclectic taste in, and passion for, music – not unlike the late John Peel. His name was almost synonymous with Glastonbury for a few years before his death.
John used to come down every year – he said he only did it to get free tickets for his kids, but I think he probably enjoyed it (laughs). He didn’t like the mud a lot, though. One year his tent was pitched on the flood plain and it floated away – not with John in it, luckily (more guffaws!). I was doing an interview with Chris Moyles at the time, while John’s three-piece suite was sailing down the river.

“I’m a sucker for success, really, I do enjoy winning. And we really love what we do”

Any bands who you’d like to have had on the bill that never made it?
The Grateful Dead – they were always a favourite. I remember them playing five-hour sets at The Rainbow in Finsbury Park – such energy.
Besides Glastonbury’s worldwide cult status, you’ve been given many accolades over the years: ‘Outstanding contribution to (British) tourism‘; two honorary degrees, the CBE last year – are you touched by that recognition?
It is quite nice, I suppose – every little helps, doesn’t it? I think the industry really appreciates what we‘ve done for business – EMI, Parlophone, etc – improved profiles, certainly; probably the sales, too. The industry are very respectful of us, actually; they try and make things work for us. They’ll put forward some really good acts. We’ve won many awards – we’ve been to Los Angeles three times to collect the Gold Star Award for best international event; last time they phoned up at three days notice to invite me! Three days! I had cows to milk, it was harvest time… I made it, though, and this year we’ve been shortlisted again.
I am pleased – I’m a sucker for success, really, I do enjoy winning. And we really love what we do, I suppose; it’s a way of life, isn’t it? A part of growing up, really. And we’re on a bit of a roll at the moment; we’ve got a hell of a line-up for next year.

I don’t suppose you can tell me who’s on it, then?
No, I can’t do that yet (he chuckles) – we’ll announce the main headliner on the first of February, I think.

Do the tickets still sell out in record time?
They used to – but I don’t like that. If people can’t get through they get fed up of trying. We’ve introduced a new deposit system this time to try and make things fairer. If they trickled out at two-or-three hundred a day that’d be perfect – everybody gets a chance, then.

Michael Eavis will be a special guest, along with actress Maxine Peake, at The Space, Brighton’s unique monthly arts and media event – Latest MusicBar, Tuesday 6 January, 7pm for 7:30pm start, £5/£3 www.thespace.me.uk