Sunday 29 September 2013

ALBUM THOUGHTS - BY NICK WEBB

Nick Webb on Emperor The Stag's debut album...


On the album

I'm well and truly in my overdraft. But we got there. Each song falls in line with the concept of a Saturday heading into a Sunday. If we end up getting it pressed onto vinyl then we’ll mark out clearly the day songs and night songs onto each side. Saturday and Sunday have always felt so different for me . Sunday seems to slowly chip away Saturday’s optimism. However, there is a general hope and belief vibe to the whole album.

We are still playing around with titles but it’s likely to be self titled. A collection of our best studio work to date. Joel (our producer) has been terrific.

Who we were listening to?
Everyone from the National and Death Cab to Nick Cave. Strangely for us though, we deliberately made a point of not referencing any particular song to Joel. We wanted it to sound like us.

On ‘making it…’
The days and nights where I’ve dreamed of instantly landing a 5 figure major record deal out of thin air passed when I was about 19.  If that is the only means of ‘making it,’ then I won’t be ‘making it. ‘ However, with access to a really a good recording set up , producer , digital distributor and a small fan base around  the world (albeit a growing one, thanks to social media) then I have made it! It’s a joy just making and releasing music…I feel spoilt when I hear positive feedback.  I’m sure opportunities will arise from this like they have with my past work! The goal is to get a song onto national radio. We’ve been introduced by BBC South , which is a grand achievement in itself (according to Meilita Dennet  1 in 1000 tracks get played)  but we want the leg up now.

On song subjects
The lyrics and music I make will always be personal.  My friends and acquaintances might formulate their own naïve, ignorant conclusions about ‘who’ or 'what' that song is about.  To be honest if they were inside my brain they’d probably self-combust.  The feedback from someone willing to be an outsider is much more satisfying. I seldom switch off, especially from  the lyrics in my songs. I’m glued to writing over and over and over an initial idea but still try and keep the subject matter relevant.  I think I have started to find the balance between a coping mechanism and poetry.

On the best gig of my life
We had a blast playing the Great Escape Festival this year but my best gig would have to be the Oran Mor, with my old band capital, supporting Athlete in Glasgow. The Oran Mor is a beautiful venue which used to be an old church.  I couldn’t see a thing for the whole set . There was so much smoke and atmosphere. God knows how anyone of the others played their instruments. Immediately after the whole band were in a euphoric episode of laughter. I think the crowd liked it?

A Summary
This is more of a musical will. I’m leaving Joel Roberts in charge of the playlist at my funeral.  

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