23 FIELDS
Q: What was the inspiration behind your song “Scars”? Was there a particular experience or story that drove you to write it?
A: My partner suffered a great deal at the hands of her ex-husband, domestic abuse is abhorrent and I cannot stand the thought of people suffering whether it’s financial, emotional or physical.
Q: The lyrics in “Scars” convey a deep sense of betrayal and healing. How did you approach writing such emotionally charged content?
A: In all honesty I have no idea! I had a melody that was rolling round for ages and one day the words just fell on to paper.
Q: In “Scars,” you explore the idea of personal growth after being hurt. How important is it for you to convey messages of resilience in your music?
A: The vast majority of my songs tell stories about love and life, from the loss of loved ones to politically charged rants.
Q: The song suggests that some people never change, as you mention, “You are never gonna change / You’re acting still the same.” Do you think it’s possible for people to truly change after causing harm, or is that more of an exception?
I do believe everyone has the ability to change but for some behaviours become habit.
Q: You talk about the difference between strength and weakness in the lyrics, particularly in terms of how we treat others. How do you define true strength?
To treat others how you’d expect to to be treated, my moto in life (and the name of a song off our first album) ‘Don’t be a dick!’
Q: Healing is a significant theme in “Scars.” How do you personally approach healing and moving forward from difficult situations?
A: That’s a very good question! Have a beer and play some music.
Q: How much of your personal experience is reflected in “Scars,” and how much of it is storytelling or inspired by others’ experiences?
A: None of my own experiences but those of my partner.
Q: When you’re writing songs like “Scars,” do you find it therapeutic, or does it bring up difficult emotions for you?
A: Sometimes they can be emotionally difficult. ‘Growing old’ off our first album was written for my father, he came to a gig a couple of months ago and playing that was hard, had to spend the 3mins looking everywhere else but at him, which must’ve looked strange as he was standing in front of the stage!
Q: How do you hope listeners will feel or what do you hope they’ll take away after listening to “Scars”?
A: That they do not need to suffer and there is life after abuse. Not all of us are arseholes!
Q: How does “Scars” fit into the larger narrative of your music? Is it part of a particular theme or concept you’re exploring?
A: ‘Scars’ was a one off, but fits in with the life narrative.
Q: How do you feel about the idea of being a role model for others who might be going through similar situations as described in “Scars”?
A: I’m not the role model, but my partner is. She is so resilient now and has overcome so much. She’s the true hero in the story.
Q: When you write, do you start with a concept or emotion first, or do the lyrics come to you spontaneously?
A: I normally start tinkering with a tune, then see what words come. I often have a rough idea for a theme, but doesn’t always come. I’ve just written a song for our 3rd album about the Mary Stanford lifeboat, I’ve been wanting to write about that for years as it’s such a tragic story, but nothing ever came, suddenly up the shed, everything fell into place!
Q: Outside of your own experiences, what other sources do you draw inspiration from for your lyrics?
A: Mainly observing life. ‘Covered in glue’ of off the same album as ‘Scars’ was written for a very dear friend who struggles with her mental health. Inspiration can come from anywhere really.
Q: How has your songwriting evolved over time, and where does “Scars” fit into that evolution?
A: Good god yes! I was listening to my first ever recording session and did cringe a bit! Having a 20 year hiatus seems to have helped!
Q: Do you think your music has helped you understand or process your emotions differently than you would have otherwise?
A: Maybe a little, maybe just getting older, but my eyes seem to leak at the stupidest of scenes in films now!
Q: Lastly, how do you see your music, especially songs like “Scars,” impacting your listeners in the long term?
A: We are far from a get up and rock/dance band, more sitting by a fire with headphones on, but I have had many inspirational and relaxing nights like that. So sit back, relax and enjoy the songs, take from them what you can if any of them help. ‘Another man’s cause’ by the Levellers was playing when my father broke the news that my best friend had died when I was 15. It still evoke’s massive emotions but I love that song.
