Q1 How did you start out making music?
I started the same way everyone does, I picked up an instrument and discovered I liked making noise. I don't remember, I was too young, but my mother says she bought me my first drum set when I was two. When I was eight we were poor and living on a gypsy camp outside Nuneaton, and I carved drumsticks out of pieces of firewood we had in our caravan. When you want to make music, you make it however you can.

Q2 What inspired your latest album?
I was inspired by the weather, especially winter, and the sound of sirens, kids screaming outside, loud conversations I had overheard in supermarkets. Inspiration is literally everywhere, if you're looking for it - shows on television, the news, recent atrocities perpetrated in the name of freedom, various comedies, a lot of wild life shows, some food shows. I was inspired by travelling, by meeting nice folks, by meeting crazy assholes.

Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
Pain, lots of ongoing, miserable pain. Why do you think I look so terrible these days? Song writing is something I don't really enjoy, I don't know if you're supposed to enjoy it, but it's quite hard for me. I don't consider myself particularly talented at it, obviously there are some people for whom it is more effortless. I'm just very determined and obstinate, I suppose.

Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Every single one I hear. Even if they're bad, even if I say, "that music is horrible, turn it off", it's influenced me somehow, either in a positive or negative way. For that reason, I like to spend lots and lots of time not listening to music at all. Usually when I'm writing music, I only listen to the music in my head, and go for long periods deliberately avoiding listening to other peoples work. Some of the most negative inspiration I've ever had continues to be German hip hop, but mainstream British and American pop isn't far behind. I suppose you have to love it all.

Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
I would tell them to free their mind of expectations.

Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album, and for the future?
I am trying to approach this album free of expectations. My ambitions, on the other hand, remain lofty, some might say unachievable, but they've been telling me that all my life. You know, basically, to do a lot of really great things, and impress many people, but keep my real character hidden behind a charade of politeness.

published march 2009