Pro Rock- Bulgaria

 - First, congratulations for the new album. It really sounds very good
 and a bit different in comparison with your past albums.

I think any musician would always strive to move upwards with each release.  It IS a bit different, but I think more than anything, the songs are getting better as I get older and wiser.

 - The album is your first for the new label. Does it mean a new
 beginning as well?

 It certainly feels like it.  We had done 6 albums with Cyclops when we left, living in the underworld of the music scene. In a way, it was a good place to be.  We developed a really good fan base and ventured out to play as the fans demanded it.  But I guess with 6 albums, each one getting us a few rungs up the ladder, it was inevitable that we would pop our heads above the parapet one day.  Now we're in a completely different world.  It's exciting and humbling to see the music get so much more exposure.


 - What has made you decide to quit with Cyclops Records, which is the
 record company through which you release albums since your debut?

 Yes and even before that with my previous band 'Vulgar Unicorn' - we released our first record with them in 1996.  So, I had worked closely with them for over 10 years.  It was sad for us both to part company but Malcolm at Cyclops always knew he didn't have the resources to push our music out there as much as he wanted to.  Now we are on Kscope, it's hitting all kinds of places...

 - Now your sound is a bit heavier. Are you sonically influenced by the
 current state of the rock music at the moment?

 Well, I listen to modern rock music, probably as much as I listen to my old favourites.  But yeah, it's a bit heavier.  I think that stemmed from the live show.  It's really good to play more energetic stuff live.  As much as I like the traditional TPT melancholia, I feel I've done that enough now.  The next album will probably take me further down the heavier, rockier road.  But then, I always need to have the light and shade...

 - Most Pineapple Thief’s albums are conceptual. What about the new one?

 Yes, they are all conceptual but maybe not in the obvious way that many progressive outfits approach ‘concept albums’.  All the albums are about things I experience, Little Man was very sombre after losing our first child, the last two (Tightly Unwound and Sown) have been dominated by the emotions of bringing new life into the world (I now have 15 month old twins).  However, it's certainly not obvious from the lyrics and I always try to leave some level of intrigue in there.  The concept is rather abstract to be honest and relies on darkness and light.  I think that helps a lot of fans to take their own, personal meaning from the songs.

 - How did the band turn from a one-man project to full band? Is there
 some difference now with the music writing? Or the change reflected
 primarily to concerts?

 I think it just evolved.  The first album did just enough to warrant a second.  Then that did just enough to warrant a third.  Then we had just enough fan interest to get a band together.  The cogs turned slowly during those early years!  I still write the songs alone in my studio, but the band certainly has an input when I take them to rehearsal.  Playing live has also changed the song writing style.  During the first 3 albums, I had no intention of playing live.  Now I have one eye on how it will translate live.  I don't like to use backing tracks so a song HAS to work live for it to be on an album.  For that reason, most songs now start life on an acoustic guitar - the old 'humming and strumming' technique.

 - Your productivity is very high. You release an album almost each year.
 What does inspire you in music as well as outside it?

 A lot of people have commented on that - I think it makes a huge difference that we're not doing massive world tours.  It means I have a lot of time to focus on song writing.  Plus having a studio at home helps a lot.  I finished writing TU back in December 2007.  So, where are we, May 2008?  That's 5 months I haven't been writing!  I'm feeling really energised to get back in the studio now, especially with the people at Kscope behind me.  I've never really had a problem with inspiration - every day I am surrounded by all kinds of events that inspire me.  Yes, some days more than others, which is why I always leave my guitars lying around the house!

 - Why your last album is missing from your official discography?

 Hmm, I'm not sure, I'll have to get on to my web guy and get the updated!  The last album WAS a bit weird.  I wrote it very quickly to give to Cyclops before  TU could be released on Kscope.  In the end it came out rather well, but I don't think I would have written a 27 minute song normally...

 - Are you sick of questions connected with Radiohead and Porcupine Tree influences.

 Yes and no.  I see a lot of lazy journalism dismissing us as clones.  Obviously, I feel very strongly that this isn't the case.  But then again, we're all playing rock music and trying to progress it.  In that aspect, we populate the same island, but they are definitely kings of the castle.

 - On the other hand both these bands are among the most significant rock acts in the recent years. How would you explain their success?

 Blimey, that's a good question.  Radiohead were global with 'the Bends' and 'OK Computer'.  Then they made a bold left turn - it was for that reason they are so important.  Porcupine Tree have done the same thing.  Progressing, changing.  But critically, keeping and building on their fan base.  The fact that both bands have the courage to do this gives them a lot of kudos.  I'm sure that helps them maintain their longevity.  You wouldn't cite U2 or REM in the same veign (no left turns there!).

 - Coldplay and Muse are selling very well. Do you think there’s a big
 difference between these two and Pineapple Thief?

 hmmm, that's a dangerous one to answer.  I'd have to say TPT focus on songs in a similar way - I've always got an eye on melody.  But I wouldn't ever release an album of 12 4 minute songs.  That's what I love about progressive music, there is so much more depth.  Muse are a great band, no doubt about that.  But it's telling that they recently stated that they may not bother with albums and focus on single downloads in future.  That would never work for TPT.

 - Why in your opinion England is the fatherland of most of the big names
 in the styles?

 The scene in the uk throughout the 60s and 70s was so vibrant.  Obviously, New York was also just as important, especially regarding the birth of punk.  But recently, I think music has become a lot more global.  I personally think the UK music scene is in a pretty bad way, as far as popular culture is concerned.  Bands being trumpeted as the greatest thing by the media here are average and derivative at best.  But the beauty of the global music scene is that there is so much more to seek out.  I'm not saying UK music is rubbish, I just wonder where the mainstream is going.  It's certainly got an identity crisis at the moment.

 - Are you following the contemporary musical scene? Are there bands
 which draw your attention?

 Yes, as much as I can.  I listen to so much stuff it's impossible to pick a single band or artist.  All my friends are constantly bringing new albums for me to listen to, from folk to extreme metal.  There is so much good stuff out there it's scary.

 - Do you think people who don’t like the rock scene from the 70’s could
 like your music?

 Good question!  Well I hope so.  I definitely owe a lot to the spirit of the 70s.  All my synths are from that era and the production focuses on simple engineering, in that I don’t worry too much about making the drums sound like a drum machine (ie the 1980s) or washing everything in reverb or compressing the hell out of everything.  The reason 70s records still sound so fresh is because they are so true.   Having said that, I still like to push it.  Plenty of the stuff on the new album would be very tricky to do with a 16 track desk and tape machine.

 - Which of all Pineapple Thief’s recordings is closest to your heart?

 That has to be 'Little Man', purely because of the time in my life when I wrote it.  But each one has a special place in my heart.  I look back on my discography and it's almost the story of my life for the last 10 years.  That's probably why I don't listen to my old albums too often....

 - As you’re already a name within the prog-circles, you’re still in the
 underground out of the them. Does that bother you?

 It used to, but not any more.  If we break through then great, but the fact that I can release albums and have a great little fan base to write for is a nice place to be in and I never forget that.  I wonder how different it would feel if we sold a million?  I seriously wonder if it would feel any different at all.  But the bank balance would be healthier I guess!

 - Thank you for the interview. I wish you all the luck!