Interview // With A Silent Film

We were really excited when the amazing British band A Silent Film, very known and respected in Portugal, accepted to give us an interview. Last week we received the answers full of an amazing humor and kindness, Robert Stevenson - singer and pianist for the band - answered some fan questions and this is the result.

Fuck Yeah Music Stories: We know you are from Oxford, how and when did you start in music?
A Silent Film: The band formed in 2005, we used to rehearse in a wooded shed at the bottom of an orchard in a house Spencer and I were renting just outside Oxford. We had a cat called Pebbles, fairy lights and hammocks in the trees, we had wild parties and there were always people hanging around, sleeping over in tents or cooking on the BBQ. It was a very soulful and creative place.

(Photo: Michelle Riendeau)

FYMS: As artists, which are your biggest dreams?
ASF: It's embarrassing to list them all but there are a few milestones that mean a lot to us personally like the approval of friends and family: sometimes they are the harshest critics and it hurts when they're right. I guess there a few more selfish dreams we have, like performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London or collaborating with artists we admire.

FYMS: Susana from Portugal asks “How’s the writing and recording of the new album going?”
ASF: Very well Susana, thank you. We've been hiding up in Arizona with mountain lions, snakes and cowboys. We've spent a long time on this album and it's going to be heavenly to play these songs out live for the first time.

FYMS: Amy from North Carolina emailed us “How has touring the US changed them?”
ASF: Amy, we were shocked how much touring the US changed us. We didn't have any crew or friends with us on our first major tour, we couldn't afford their flights and we didn't know anyone here so we simply hired a van and drove ourselves. It was one of the best experiences of my life so far, we drove through landscapes we had only read about, through thunder storms that were unimaginable and deserts that just went on for ever.

FYMS: Which are the artists that influence you the most?
ASF: There are too many to mention, we have an extremely broad taste throughout the band. Personally, right now I am listening to a mix of Bon Iver, John Grant and Bob Dylan.

FYMS: On the same basis as the last one, Lisa from Kansas City askes “who is the greatest drummer ever and why?” stating it wasn’t only for Spencer.
ASF: Spencer would say Roger Taylor from Queen and rightfully so! And also that guy on youtube, search for 'this drummer is at the wrong gig'.

(This is the video Robert mentioned above)

FYMS: Your sonority is compared to bands like Keane, Coldplay and Snow Patrol. How do you feel to be compared with bands like those? Does it give you any encouragement in your career?
ASF: Sure, it's nice. I can hear parts of what we do in those bands but it's just the tip of the iceberg regarding where we see ourselves when we've been playing as long as those guys.

FYMS: Jane from Belgium emailed us a question. “Are you guys planning a European tour? If so when?”
ASF: Certainly Jane, as soon as the album is released in Europe we'll be making our way through Belgium. Will you take us out for waffles?

FYMS: We know you love Portugal. Which are the best things you remember from this country?
ASF: The wonderful fans and friends we made there last year. It's a beautiful country and we cannot wait to get back.

(Photo: Brígida Brito - Guimarães, 2010)

FYMS: Which is your favorite from your new record? And from “The City That Sleeps”? Is there any particular reason?
ASF: There's an old song called 'Anastasia' that's been kicking around for a while but we just nailed it for this record. Can't name a favourite off TCTS, we'll fall back in love with that record when we start playing live again next year.

FYMS: A Silent Film has some live experiences. Do you have any rituals before having a show?
ASF: Change your shoes and socks and clean your teeth. Hygiene is key to a good performance.

FYMS: Eric from Wisconsin tweet us this “If you could play a show anywhere in the world, where would it be?”
ASF: Beneath the Aurora Borealis, in the snow, somewhere cold. And obviously Wisconsin, Eric.

FYMS: With similar questions, two fans ask you “Which is the best experience from your US tour? And how has that changed you?”
ASF: We ended up doing a four day residency in Las Vegas, two shows a night on the casino floor. We were competing with the razz and dazzle of Vegas which made us raise our game. Definitely a unique series of shows.

FYMS: Which is the craziest thing that ever happened to you?
ASF: Winning in-studio performance of the year on Sirius XM in New York, runners up were Brandon Flowers and The Black Keys, two bands I truly admire.

FYMS: Once your album is released, which are the next steps to take?
ASF: Total non-stop touring and writing the third album.

FYMS: Amy from North Carolina sent us the sweetest email – telling us how she had met you, last April, on your Chapel Hill in NC show. She asks “Could Robert describe his lyric writing process?”
ASF: Hi Amy, I remember meeting you. My lyric writing process begins intensely personally. I love to tell stories in songs but I try never to write literally. I believe lyrics should be interpreted and felt, not always easily understood.

(Photo: Anton Coene)

FYMS: If you didn’t belong to the music world, where would you imagine yourselves at?
ASF: I'm always drawn to creativity and expression, in Brooklyn some guys were playing out a scene from Shakespeare's Romeo Juliet on the subway. I'd like to think I would find a way to be creative no matter what life throws at us.

FYMS: Susana from Portugal asks “What are you thankful for?”
ASF: Every single person that ever picked up an ASF album or came to our shows.

FYMS: We know you have a great relationship with your fans. Which was the most awkward and the best moment you had?
ASF: I hate it when we come back to a city and cannot remember someone's name, on the other hand I get a real kick out of remembering someone's name.

FYMS: Complete these sentences...
a) One Day...
ASF: ... we will write a song that will be played at either someones wedding or at someone's funeral.
b) The best thing people can say about me...
ASF: ... I'm punctual

c) And the worst...
ASF: ... I'm impatient
d) In ten years...
ASF: … we'll all be ten years wiser

FYMS: What would you tell to FYMS readers?
ASF: Thanks for reading, let's catch up and get a coffee soon.

Special thanks to Robert and A Silent Film, their manager, credited photographers - Brígida Brito, Anton Coene and Michelle Riendeau - and the owner of the video excerpt above, Susana.

Interview // With Aaron Norton

Aaron Norton is a very young artist from London, England. He started his career a few years ago, and he is a growing phenomenon on the internet.
Earlier this week, we received the answers from this extraordinaire artist, for an honest interview.
Curious?

Fuck Yeah Music Stories: You are an ascending artist from Surrey in England, how and when did you start in music? 

Aaron Norton: Well the dream began when I first heard The Everly Brothers around 8 years of age but it didn't really start to take shape until I played at the annual summer School Concert when I was 15.

FYMS: Which is your biggest dream? 

AN: Well there's one recurring dream. It comes from a time when I was watching Oasis live at Wembley Stadium on tele. I was 14 at the time and this moment has just kept going over and over in my mind ever since. So they've already excited everyone to the extent I could feel it through the T.V. and then that familiar piano intro kicks off the song. The audience went wild but it didn't stop there, as the chorus took off the audience sang like I've never heard before and Noel just stood back and let them take it! That's what I want.

FYMS: How would you describe yourself, as an artist and as a person? 

AN: Well I'm very much the same person, whether I'm applying my efforts to my personal life or my art. I'm sensitive deep down. My songs represent the side of me you don't see and as a person I'm kind, easy going, reserved, passionate and driven. Maybe people around me will see me in a different way but this is how I see myself.

FYMS: Where does your musical background come from? 

AN: My entire family is creative/artistic. My dad worked in graphic design and has painted all his life, one of my brothers (Adam) seems to have followed in his footsteps. My other brother (Leigh) is a drama teacher and though my sister (Sian) has just graduated from University with a degree in Psychology, she spent many of her school years dancing... a lot. My mum has never been hands on with any art but is a massive music lover. So, in answer to your question, I don't think I couldn't be into music... not in my house.

FYMS: Is there any artist you would give anything to trade with? Why?

AN: Nah, I wouldn't trade with anyone. I enjoy the climb. Sometimes it's hard but I know it'll make me stronger as I climb higher and higher. Also, I know what I want and I don't think anyone else, that I have seen, has it.

FYMS: Which are the artists that have most influence in you? 

AN: I'm just gonna list a few that have moved me, in one way or another, as they've all played a part in shaping me as a person and as an artist. The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Oasis, Travis, The Calling, The Dum Dums, Jon Lacey (tragically unknown to the masses, his song 'bought or sold' is genius). That's a very brief list.

FYMS: We know you are giving a small tour, if we can name it, around England. Are there any predictions of a larger tour, in Europe for example?
AN: I am currently playing in different venues around the U.K. but more or less focused around London. I would love to tour Europe and will one day but for now I must focus on building my fan base and getting more material out there.

FYMS: We are from Portugal. What do you know about this country? 

AN: I've never been to Portugal but would love to visit, I've heard it's a beautiful place.

FYMS: Do you remember your thought/reaction the first time you went to stage? Where was it?
AN: My first performance was at school, the performance I mentioned earlier, in 2001. It was weird for me, I wasn't as nervous as I expected to be and I got such an incredible reaction from the crowd and was invited back for an encore, That was the moment everything started for me.

FYMS: Is there any dream place, the one you would love to have the opportunity to play in?
AN: I think The Royal Albert Hall, it's such an incredible place and so many great performers have graced the stage with their presence. Yeah, that'd be nice!

FYMS: If you would give the opportunity to chose, who would you chose to open a gig to?
AN: Great question... any of my influences from above but if I had to name one, it'd have to be Elvis. Maybe I'd push him for a duet as well!

FYMS: Can you name a song or album as your favorite? Why would you pick that one?
AN: My favorite song is 'True Love Ways' by Buddy Holly and my favorite album is... 'Camino Palmero' by The Calling.

FYMS: If you could pick another language, besides English, to write your songs, which language would you pick?
AN: Whoa, that's a tough one. Being English I seem to have inherited the ignorant mentality of never making an effort to learn another language. I'd have to say, from my limited knowledge of other languages... Spanish

FYMS: You are starting to have a big number of fans following your work through Facebook, Youtube and Twitter. How is your relationship with them? Did anything strange ever happen with a fan? 

AN: Things are really starting to take off online and though it's really difficult to keep in touch with everyone my relationship with many fans seem to be growing stronger. Not so many strange things have happened but I've been getting a lot of support and help for some good people.

FYMS: When can we see an album released in your name, Aaron?
 AN: I'm working on it. Being an independent artist does make it difficult. I need to make sure the quality of the music I release is of a high standard and the trouble I have is financing it. Recording equipment may be cheap but the knowledge to get good recordings does not come cheap. All in good time, this journey is all about making great music!

FYMS: How do you inspire your songs? Is there anything or any place special? 

AN: Any place, any time. There's so much all around us that I just keep my eyes and ears open but being a romantic and sensitive, most songs end up being about relationships. :P

FYMS: If you weren’t a musician, what would you be? 

AN: I'd could be a gardener, a chef, a police officer, a fireman. It'd have to be away from a desk but it won't happen, I got a dream and I'm not backing out!

FYMS: Do you have any special talent that no one knows about? 

AN: Hmmmm... I can fit 5 digestive biscuits, piled on top of one another, in my mouth (lips closed around them) and eat them. Not much of a talent but I think it's rather impressive. It takes a while to munch them and I feel a little sick after but I'm proud to say, I can do it!

FYMS: Complete these sentences...

a) One Day...


AN: ... I'll look back and be thankful I stuck at it

b) The best thing people can say about me...


AN: ... is I've helped them through a hard time

c) And the worst...

AN: ... I'm ALWAYS late!!!

d) In ten years...

AN: … I'll be a household name across the world... because I've spoken to everyone in a way only music can!

FYMS: What would you tell to FYMS readers?

AN: I'd like to tell you my web address, http://www.aaronnorton.co.uk
Here you can view new gig dates and also go straight to my pages on Facebook, Twitter, youtube, iTunes and more. And if you follow me on twitter... I give you a copy of my track 'Same As I'.