C is a staple of the East Midlands' acoustic scene who we asked a few questions on here and talked about his new EP - in which he "wanted to capture as much of me as humanly possible"...
LEE HEIR: I've just listened to your EP and I really enjoyed the songs. What the hell have you been up to? Just trying to keep your head above water like everybody else?
C: Thank you very much, I'm glad you liked them! It does feel like it's been an age, I've just been keeping preoccupied with promoting my EP through social media and some t-shirts I just had printed. Have you been keeping sane?
LH: Since ending Prime at the end of last year I've just been taking a break from songwriting and I've just been working to be honest. My first proper job in a fair few years! Since our gigging plans got cancelled due to Corona I just thought the best bet would be to plug on and earn some money to bank for more exciting times. Plus, same as you, I've been plugging the compilation online.
C: I'm still really gutted about (Prime finishing), you know? I really wanted at least one more gig! Bet it must feel strange but I suppose we're all living in strange times as it is. I'm definitely excited for the Prime compilation CD.
LH: Is this your first official solo release? I liked your t-shirts they look like something from early 2000s WWF which of course is a compliment. We're both big wrestling fans...
C: Yes, it is. It's still bewildering that I've actually gone and done it, you know? My own actual piece of music with me as a frontman and I didn't actually notice until you mentioned it but I'm glad it has that appeal to it! I often throw up the "too sweet" gesture at the end of a set.
LH: I noticed the Wolfpac logo on your Facebook page the other day actually. So what was the first piece of music you got out there that you played on? And were you very young the first time you stepped foot in a studio?
C: Well the first solo piece I got published under my name was "F" but my first studio experience was with my old band SP around 3 years ago. I was 16 when I joined my first band but it's only really recently that I've done anything further.
LH: So there was a big space of time between your first band and SP? Did they record much?
CP: It's taken me a while to be confident to use it but I'm glad I went for it! I recorded an EP and a cover of '2002' with SP. In between my first band and them was just different bands that gigged a lot but SP was the furthest I really got. I recorded my EP with a friend I made through the music scene, and the focus was capturing my live sound but to the backing of a full band as opposed to just me on my trademark green guitar. It was actually quite interesting re-imagining my songs with a full band but I'm glad the process translated as well as it had.
LH: Who backed you on the recording, other friends on the scene? He was at the Prime gig the last time we played the o2 in Leicester. He's captured that spontaneous live vibe of yours and also, as I was saying earlier, the subtlety and little raw touches in the recordings are to be heard best through headphones or I'm guessing through some good speakers. Punk rock and guitar music never sounds that great through a mobile phone speaker does it?
C: Well I had support from various people encouraging me to get something finally recorded but it was just me playing guitar and bass and a joint effort with the drums. I'll admit it's a pretty raw sound but I kind of liked the thrash sound it has in a way. It's how I like to try and translate it in my shows.
LH: Yes, we know how rough and ready those shows can get, with us all trashing stuff in one way or another! The EP has a raw sound but the content is raw too, your lyrics on songs like 'S' and 'M' seem to refer to your relationships and the personal issues that many creative people face in one degree or another. Were you tempted to tone down the lyrics in any way or were they the same lyrics that you had from day one pretty much?
C: Definitely times I'm glad we didn't make a video diary but they'll make for some excellent memoirs down the line! Yeah, they're definitely close to my heart. I suppose with music you're always putting a piece of yourself out there in a way and you just need to decide how much you wanna throw in and show and they're two of my favourites lyrically, especially 'S'. I guess because I was so invested as one would be in those situations it shouldn't be sugar-coated, just about how deeply life can affect you. But one way or another, it all becomes a song someone sings.
LH: So now you've released these recordings, what are your plans after Lockdown? Obviously this time must have been super-hard for you, knowing how much you love socialising on the open-mic scene at various venues and being around different jams and collaborations...
C: Well I guess after this would be planning a gig. I definitely miss the energetic rush you get from a good crowd. And we've been doing some socialising through our phones for a weekly open night. The community has been strong-willed but my big worry though is that the venues survive the end of this, since (they) are in the middle of a fundraiser to keep them going through all of this. It's not the same performing to a phone, but losing any of the venues would be much worse. Strangely enough, I was never really a social guy. Still don't fully regard myself as one now but just because I'm an awkward guy naturally. But it's thanks to these venues and the scene they brought forward that I found the drive to pursue music as much as I have and made the friends I'm thankful to have today.
LH: Music does bring people together... it's an old cliche but it's true. It keeps me feeling sociable too, so it must be good! I'm sorry to hear that The Soundhouse is struggling... I hope all these places make it through okay. Alberts has just closed here in Nottingham but they are very strange people at that venue, something not exactly legit about them. You have done a great job with the online fundraisers for the NHS which has been disgustingly underfunded by our dire Government for many years. What made you decide to get involved?
C: I'm sorry to hear about Alberts but I guess you could say the same about my city too, I like to go the extra mile when it comes to promoting, and it's a reasonable cause. Our NHS deserves more than charity but sometimes it's just up to the everyday person to stand up and do the right thing where others won't.
LH: Anyone raising awareness in these times instead of staying quiet is a good thing. It's like that old Sex Pistols shirt with the cowboys... "Now is the time to decide what side you're on"!
C: Absolutely, it was a great cause and I'm grateful to everyone else who performed, shared and donated. It was good to be able to give back the best way we could.
LH: 'F' is probably the most accessible tune on your EP, and obviously the song that you got the EP title from. Any ambitions to take that song out there with a band under your own solo banner, or do you prefer collaborations for the full band setups?
C: It's the oldest song out of the bunch, it was a joint effort. So if it wasn't for that song then the EP probably would never have been a thing since it set me on course for all these actions. I wouldn't turn down a chance to do my songs with a full ensemble.
LH: Haha now now that's a very political answer... Is that your goal in the long run to have a band on the road doing a full set of your originals?
C: Maybe it would better fit my choice to perform in suits. In my campaign I would at least know how a capo functions. *referencing the picture of BJ playing guitar* That's what I like to hear, hopefully we get to do that at the end of all this. It is easier being able to rely on just me and my guitar for the most part. I don't have to worry too much about band practice but if I had the right people to help bring my songs to life I wouldn't turn the chance down.
LH: You certainly have some great hooks and I hope that you get a chance to bring the songs to life in that capacity as well as rocking out acoustically with them. All the best during the rest of Lockdown fella!
C: I'm glad you think so, thank you very much for inviting me to talk.
LEE HEIR: I've just listened to your EP and I really enjoyed the songs. What the hell have you been up to? Just trying to keep your head above water like everybody else?
C: Thank you very much, I'm glad you liked them! It does feel like it's been an age, I've just been keeping preoccupied with promoting my EP through social media and some t-shirts I just had printed. Have you been keeping sane?
LH: Since ending Prime at the end of last year I've just been taking a break from songwriting and I've just been working to be honest. My first proper job in a fair few years! Since our gigging plans got cancelled due to Corona I just thought the best bet would be to plug on and earn some money to bank for more exciting times. Plus, same as you, I've been plugging the compilation online.
C: I'm still really gutted about (Prime finishing), you know? I really wanted at least one more gig! Bet it must feel strange but I suppose we're all living in strange times as it is. I'm definitely excited for the Prime compilation CD.
LH: Is this your first official solo release? I liked your t-shirts they look like something from early 2000s WWF which of course is a compliment. We're both big wrestling fans...
C: Yes, it is. It's still bewildering that I've actually gone and done it, you know? My own actual piece of music with me as a frontman and I didn't actually notice until you mentioned it but I'm glad it has that appeal to it! I often throw up the "too sweet" gesture at the end of a set.
LH: I noticed the Wolfpac logo on your Facebook page the other day actually. So what was the first piece of music you got out there that you played on? And were you very young the first time you stepped foot in a studio?
C: Well the first solo piece I got published under my name was "F" but my first studio experience was with my old band SP around 3 years ago. I was 16 when I joined my first band but it's only really recently that I've done anything further.
LH: So there was a big space of time between your first band and SP? Did they record much?
CP: It's taken me a while to be confident to use it but I'm glad I went for it! I recorded an EP and a cover of '2002' with SP. In between my first band and them was just different bands that gigged a lot but SP was the furthest I really got. I recorded my EP with a friend I made through the music scene, and the focus was capturing my live sound but to the backing of a full band as opposed to just me on my trademark green guitar. It was actually quite interesting re-imagining my songs with a full band but I'm glad the process translated as well as it had.
LH: Who backed you on the recording, other friends on the scene? He was at the Prime gig the last time we played the o2 in Leicester. He's captured that spontaneous live vibe of yours and also, as I was saying earlier, the subtlety and little raw touches in the recordings are to be heard best through headphones or I'm guessing through some good speakers. Punk rock and guitar music never sounds that great through a mobile phone speaker does it?
C: Well I had support from various people encouraging me to get something finally recorded but it was just me playing guitar and bass and a joint effort with the drums. I'll admit it's a pretty raw sound but I kind of liked the thrash sound it has in a way. It's how I like to try and translate it in my shows.
LH: Yes, we know how rough and ready those shows can get, with us all trashing stuff in one way or another! The EP has a raw sound but the content is raw too, your lyrics on songs like 'S' and 'M' seem to refer to your relationships and the personal issues that many creative people face in one degree or another. Were you tempted to tone down the lyrics in any way or were they the same lyrics that you had from day one pretty much?
C: Definitely times I'm glad we didn't make a video diary but they'll make for some excellent memoirs down the line! Yeah, they're definitely close to my heart. I suppose with music you're always putting a piece of yourself out there in a way and you just need to decide how much you wanna throw in and show and they're two of my favourites lyrically, especially 'S'. I guess because I was so invested as one would be in those situations it shouldn't be sugar-coated, just about how deeply life can affect you. But one way or another, it all becomes a song someone sings.
LH: So now you've released these recordings, what are your plans after Lockdown? Obviously this time must have been super-hard for you, knowing how much you love socialising on the open-mic scene at various venues and being around different jams and collaborations...
C: Well I guess after this would be planning a gig. I definitely miss the energetic rush you get from a good crowd. And we've been doing some socialising through our phones for a weekly open night. The community has been strong-willed but my big worry though is that the venues survive the end of this, since (they) are in the middle of a fundraiser to keep them going through all of this. It's not the same performing to a phone, but losing any of the venues would be much worse. Strangely enough, I was never really a social guy. Still don't fully regard myself as one now but just because I'm an awkward guy naturally. But it's thanks to these venues and the scene they brought forward that I found the drive to pursue music as much as I have and made the friends I'm thankful to have today.
LH: Music does bring people together... it's an old cliche but it's true. It keeps me feeling sociable too, so it must be good! I'm sorry to hear that The Soundhouse is struggling... I hope all these places make it through okay. Alberts has just closed here in Nottingham but they are very strange people at that venue, something not exactly legit about them. You have done a great job with the online fundraisers for the NHS which has been disgustingly underfunded by our dire Government for many years. What made you decide to get involved?
C: I'm sorry to hear about Alberts but I guess you could say the same about my city too, I like to go the extra mile when it comes to promoting, and it's a reasonable cause. Our NHS deserves more than charity but sometimes it's just up to the everyday person to stand up and do the right thing where others won't.
LH: Anyone raising awareness in these times instead of staying quiet is a good thing. It's like that old Sex Pistols shirt with the cowboys... "Now is the time to decide what side you're on"!
C: Absolutely, it was a great cause and I'm grateful to everyone else who performed, shared and donated. It was good to be able to give back the best way we could.
LH: 'F' is probably the most accessible tune on your EP, and obviously the song that you got the EP title from. Any ambitions to take that song out there with a band under your own solo banner, or do you prefer collaborations for the full band setups?
C: It's the oldest song out of the bunch, it was a joint effort. So if it wasn't for that song then the EP probably would never have been a thing since it set me on course for all these actions. I wouldn't turn down a chance to do my songs with a full ensemble.
LH: Haha now now that's a very political answer... Is that your goal in the long run to have a band on the road doing a full set of your originals?
C: Maybe it would better fit my choice to perform in suits. In my campaign I would at least know how a capo functions. *referencing the picture of BJ playing guitar* That's what I like to hear, hopefully we get to do that at the end of all this. It is easier being able to rely on just me and my guitar for the most part. I don't have to worry too much about band practice but if I had the right people to help bring my songs to life I wouldn't turn the chance down.
LH: You certainly have some great hooks and I hope that you get a chance to bring the songs to life in that capacity as well as rocking out acoustically with them. All the best during the rest of Lockdown fella!
C: I'm glad you think so, thank you very much for inviting me to talk.
