The process of overdubbing multiple parts on top of each other live to create harmony/percussion parts using a single instrument. Live Looping lets you orchestrate live and create complex arrangements as you go - using a volume pedal you can even create string sounds - percussion comes from banging the guitar. Looping was first around in the 70's courtesy of Fripp/Eno and has been developed by artists such as Andy Butler, Loop Room, Fripp, Chet Atkins, Nels Cline etc - see loopers delight for more info.
Can I still get the Parks EP?
No - Sold Out.
Is it Jazz?
Probably not! I do have loads of jazz influences (Mclaughlin/Django/Coltrane) and I spent the year before starting doing acoustic stuff, learning and playing jazz standards, so its all in there but there is just as much Smiths/Radiohead/Carcass/Slayer/King Crimson etc etc etc. If Jazz equals improvisation then yes my music is semi improvised ie the main themes and structure is rigid but the lead playing is improvised.
How much practice do you do a day?
Not enough! Being a musician involves so many other tasks Webmaster, Blogger, Podcaster, Agent, Record Company, Merchandiser, Recording Engineer, Photographer etc - I normally practice an hour or so a day but I used to do as much as 8 hours a day
Has your metronome broken? Whats with the odd timings?
Odd timings are cool!!! I have never deliberately set out to do stuff in 7/8 or 15/8 but it sometimes comes out that way. Many of my favourite bands from the Beatles to the Mahavishnu to Soundgarden to Zeppelin have used odd timings, thats how I got into it - also my guitar teacher Richard Beaumont had me doing them when I was 14! He was the one who got me into it really.
What equipment do you use?
I use cheap Ibanez Acoustic with Fishman pickups into a no name volume pedal and a Line 6 DL4 pedal. Hard picks and Elixer 12 strings. Recently I've upgraded to a LR Baggs M1 pickup and added a Whammy pedal, a big muff, a second DL4, and a Korg Kaossilator.
Who are your favourite musicians around at the moment?
I like Portishead, Mars Volta, Radiohead,Sigur Ros and Battles at the moment.
What muscians have inspired you?
Sigur Ros, Portishead, Faith No More, Slayer, Talking Heads, Iron Maiden, Mahavsihnu Orchestra, Carcass, Dead Kennedys, Beatles, King Crimson, Husker Du and Bad Brains (plus loads of other stuff).
Who inspired you to start using loop pedals?
I remember reading about Robert Fripp doing it, then my friend Kev got a DL4 and I tried it myself. Really I started looping due to the band I was in splitting up, and being left with a guitar a looper and a volume pedal! I didn't even buy the DL4 for looping, just as a delay for the band.
Why do you write about parks?
I sent most of my youth in the parks of Rushden, Northants, a strange and empty place full of interesting people. Because there was nothing to do we had to find our own stuff to do - there were about 30 bands (although around 20 had the same Drummer). US Hardcore mixed with Jungle, Metal and Psychedelia and Jazz Rock from the local guitar guru. This was pre internet so mix tapes where the only way to hear new stuff - the nearest record shop was in Northampton or a trip to London was essential to get anything good, something you could only manage once or twice a year.
Spencer Park was the main place - Smoking drinking and hanging around with my friends . We hid in bushes and were sick under the trees, played guitars and generaly fought the unrelenting boredom of small town britain. People thought we were odd sitting on a bench on the middle of winter in the dark but we didn't care - it was our home.
Hall Park was an excursion - a day out from our usual part of town - much grander and landscaped - some fucker burnt down the bandstand though.
Jubilee park was over the side of town - just a big empty field really but some where for kids to hang around - I drank my first can of beer there.
What cover songs do you do and why?
The Get Carter Theme - I do the bass line with the Whammy Pedal
Message In A Bottle - I love the chord progression with all the Ninths.
Hope and Meeting Of The Spirits - Both by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, my favourite band these tracks are always a challenge to play and do justice to and I love the songs.
How Soon Is Now - Smiths - Johnny Marr's guitar playing was a massive influence on the way I layer guitars
Tomorrow Never Knows - The Beatles - great songs and it was the Beatles doing Looping. BEST DRUM BEAT EVER!!
How many loops/layers do you use at once?
You can go on forever with the DL4, the old loops just get quieter until they are gone.
Where do I find out more info about looping and the looping community?
www.loopers-delight.com is good (massive inspiration) and there is loads of useful info at www.andybutler.com.
Where can I get tabs for your music?
Tabs are coming soon to this site, once I get time.
How long have you been playing?
I have been since I was fourteen - so a while.
Which musicians would you like to play with?
David Byrne or Portishead maybe...
Any chance of some gigs in the US?
About to confirm for 2009.
Any chance of some gigs in Europe?
If time and finances allow, it would be great.
What is the best gig you've ever been to?
Faith No More - Angel Dust tour or Slayer - Decade Of Agression tour or perhaps Portishead at Glastonbury
If you're in to rock/metal/punk/jazz why do you play acoustic stuff?
I no longer wanted to lug amps around and acoustic guitars sound so much more complete on their own than electrics. When my last band split up it was either start again or try and do something different and I was always into Friday Night In San Francisco by Mclaughlin, De Lucia and Di Meola where it is just acoustic guitars. Also I went to see Jon Gomm, Sonny and Michael Burke play just with an acoustic guitar and they were a great insperation in terms of just doing it on your own.
