Where can we find you right now and what are you up to?
Well i am at home in my studio, The Cage, working on new recordings for ATTRITION and various mastering jobs for bands and labels around the world (my "dayjob" if you like!)
I'm also finalising the artwork and promo material for the upcoming new ATTRITION album, The Black Maria.
Tell us a bit about your influences.
There have been a lot over the years...from the early anarcho-punk and industrial influences of the late 70s and early 80s onto classical and electronic dance influences...
ATTRITION has released a lot of music and film soundtracks so its been pretty eclectic... but there's always a "darkwave" element to what we do.
How did you start?
I was inspired by punk and started a music fanzine here in Coventry in 1979 ("Alternative Sounds")...it ran for 2 years and 18 issues... there was a boom in music here at the time in the wake of punk and the Specials and Two Tone putting the city on the map. I always wanted to create music myself and started experimenting with electronics and found sounds with my then girlfriend Julia and her brother Ashley... gradually picking up instruments... and ATTRITION was born. We played our first show on December 8th 1980.
What obstacles does an emerging artist have to face in our time?
I think it is the same in all times... it is hard work writing, rehearsing, organising shows, performing, publicising yourself... hard to get on that ladder... and as you go on... hard to keep on it at times, although things do get better when people know your name...it is a passion...it's been my life's work and continues to be so... those obstacles are there for everyone and it is so rewarding to push through them and make waves in this world.
What worked for you marketing-wise? What advice or tips would you give to new artists?
Starting off running a fanzine was a good start as i had already networked with lots of bands and other fanzines and labels... networking really is the key to open doors... getting to know people in the industry... i did a lot of self promo at the start (as i still do now) and then we were helped by a succession of independent labels in Europe and the USA over the years (Third Mind/Antler-Subway/Hyperium/Projekt/Invisible etc)
One of the best tips is get to know other bands in the same genre... we did our first European tour with the Legendary Pink Dots in 1984... simply because we had got to know each other and i asked them
What are your goals? Where do you see yourself in five years?
Well over the years i've achieved a lot of goals... we have performed all over the world and still do... have released a lot of music and composed for films as well... but all it comes down to the music...its always a challenge and something i love... then to reach out to other people with it is such an exciting thing... we all get disillusioned at times but i am still as excited as when i started... there is still so much to do! We are currently setting up shows and tours for the UK, USA, Europe, japan and probably more for 2024.
In five years i will be telling you the same i am sure.
Tell us about your latest or upcoming release.
The Black Maria is our long awaited new album... following on from the singles "The Great Derailer", "The Alibi" and "The Switch", which will be included in differing mixes... a mix of dark electronics, guitars, vocals and classical instruments, from rhythmic songs to dark soundtracks... i'm pleased with this album... expect it in February 2024 on Vinyl, CD, Cassette and download/streaming. Partly released through my own label, Two Gods, in collaboration with Sleepers Records.
Do check out our bandcamp site for all our releases!