I'm a rockstar on hiatus - Ask Me (Almost) Anything

[SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease]

I'm a semi-successful musician in a rock band. It's my only occupation, has been for some years. I've been a lot of places, seen a lot of stuff and met a lot of people. Ask me anything. I can't answer everything for various reasons but let's see how it goes...

Some songwriting questions if I may?

What software do you use, or are you old-school with notation paper?

What's your opinion of artists who use Ableton etc, can't read music, can't play an instrument and yet have number 1s?

Ta

Are you in that group called the pretenders 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

@FurForksSake

If you could see one gig from a band or artist no longer alive / touring who would it be ?

Freddie Mercury was a man of unspeakable talent. So, Queen.

@EachandEveryone

What stage at Glastonbury have you played on? Do you hang around after or get back on the bus? When Im there I like to think some of the acts mingle in with the crowds and enjoy the whole experience. I know they probably dont 😃

Oh we always hang around after! We split up or go in groups to who we want to watch perform. You will definitely find all the artists wandering around. It's rare we won't leave backstage, we like to explore, go to food trucks, and just be part of the crowd. It's fun! And we'll stop for photos too. We're a friendly band!

@verypeckish

There are a lot of talented people around, most of whom never get anywhere. In your view, how important is luck, and being in the right place at the right time?

I think it's more about creating opportunities for yourself. If you stay home twiddling your fingers, how can you possibly make your life great? In this industry it important to put yourself out there. Turn up, be sociable, follow up on contacts, support artists work, be present online, go to gigs, practice, write, and just generally make an effort. It's kind of not luck when you're actually trying. Oh, and stay off X Factor. (Don't get me started).

@Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons

Are band mates more like friends or colleagues? And are the relationships equal?

I always wonder When a band has say 5 members & two do the writing how much closer those two are.

do the other members get to veto new songs or is it presented as a done deal.

It's something in between friends and colleagues. Family maybe? We've been through so much together over the years. But weirdly we don't talk that often but also don't have many secrets from each other. It's a very special experience. I trust them completely and no one can take away everything we have achieved together.

@SeaState3

I’m interested in the songwriting aspect.

You said that you nearly became a copy writer, so you must be good with words. Do you contribute more lyrics than melodies. Do you consider the lyrics, melody or the “groove” of a song to be the most important? Do you write songs as a team together or you bring in ideas / lyrics to which someone else fits a melody to? Do you ever jam together to come up with ideas?

Good question. We never jam to write songs. One person does the music side then calls the rest in to record the instruments and add a little twist. The lyrics are a conversation and some back and forth with ideas. Some vocals/lyrics are from outside the band. Some are free reign, no changes made. Each song and album is different. (I've answered earlier regarding splits). We only jam when we're messing around during soundcheck. It's fun.

@SingingSands

Never mind the biggest gig you've played - tell us about the smallest!

We've played in some small towns where 50 people turned up. It's like playing in your living room and it's so much fun. We involve the crowd more, get to know faces, get done and dance with them. Make everyone come closer to the stage, hang around after for longer and chat. They are always so appreciative of the personal touch and extra attention. Those shows are always so lovely.

Are you male or female? 🤔

I don't know why but read all your posts as though you were male but then everybody else seems to be assuming female

Am enjoying this ama and actually really liking we don’t know who you are.

You could be a member of one of my fave bands and I’d never know.

TJ17 I'm reading as male too!

I thought female as they talk about being taught to knit in school. They seem to be about my age and back in the sexist 80s I think the boys did woodwork while girls did textiles....maybe that was just my school though!

@JacobReesMogadishu

I thought female as they talk about being taught to knit in school. They seem to be about my age and back in the sexist 80s I think the boys did woodwork while girls did textiles....maybe that was just my school though!

Ah interesting! Thanks 😊

@JacobReesMogadishu

I thought female as they talk about being taught to knit in school. They seem to be about my age and back in the sexist 80s I think the boys did woodwork while girls did textiles....maybe that was just my school though!

Late 80s/early 90s it was Woodwork and Technical Drawing for boys and Home Economics for girls at mine!

A very good AMA!

@Elloello

Loving this thread. Ultimate Smash Hits magazine question coming up... What is your favourite colour? 😆 Whats the crappest question you have been asked in an interview (apart from that one just now, of course) and if you met your musical hero, what would you ask? If I met such a person I'd likely freeze and ask above crap question 🙄😀

Blue! I was once asked what biscuit I would be. I actually told him off and asked him why he was wasting my time. We also used to get asked a lot, the reason behind our band name. It's such a basic question and shows they haven't done their research on what to ask us. Really annoying. I mean, do Oasis get asked "so why are you called Oasis?"

Freddie Mercury was a man of unspeakable talent. So, Queen.

That would be my answer too - saw Brian May join foo fighters on stage in Hyde park years ago and he was incredible. I grew up with Queen (and Bowie and Tina Turner) as a soundtrack to my childhood. I LOVE their work

@JacobReesMogadishu

I thought female as they talk about being taught to knit in school. They seem to be about my age and back in the sexist 80s I think the boys did woodwork while girls did textiles....maybe that was just my school though!

Not to contest whether I am male or female, but just to let you know - it was in primary school. And the teacher who had the whole class knitting during 'wet playtime' was male. He also taught me chess after school. My mum was late A LOT. Aaah, back when it wasn't creepy for a man to be left alone with a child.

Leave your questions, I'll be popping in over the next of days. I'm off to watch Parasite on Amazon Prime.

OP - I'm going down the corner shop. What do you ask me to get you?

Parasite is brilliant. If you have Prime Ive just watched How to Build a Girl, its kind of related to this. I loved it.

Do you know Jarvis Cocker?

@EachandEveryone

Parasite is brilliant. If you have Prime Ive just watched How to Build a Girl, its kind of related to this. I loved it.

Do you know Jarvis Cocker?

Lol, why is everybody asking me about him? No but I have a member of Blur in my contacts.

How important is doing interviews etc? Are you obliged to do a certain number?

What month and year was the Amy Winehouse gig?, Just wondering was it her future husband Blake, or her last boyfriend Reg, that she was wandering around looking for....