Interview: Rod Jones

Photo by Stuart Reidman

To coincide with the launch of this year’s Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival, and the official release of Idlewild‘s sixth full-length studio album, Post Electric Blues, we caught up with guitarist and backing vocalist Rod Jones for a chat about the new album, his solo material and his work with the Scottish Mental Health Festival.

For the past two years, Jones has curated the festival’s acclaimed Music Like a Vitamin concerts. This year, Jones’ gig at Edinburgh’s Picture House features a stellar line-up of Frightened Rabbit, Attic Lights, Norman Blake, Euros Childs and the live debut of his own solo material. The gig is on October 21st and tickets are £5. More information can be found here.

Stereokill: Hi, Rod. How are you today?

RJ: A bit hungover, but fine.

Stereokill: First off, can you tell our readers about the Mental Health Festival and its forthcoming Music Like a Vitamin gigs?

RJ: Sure. Well this year’s festival is bigger and better than ever, there are so many great events from film to drama – and, obviously, music. After last years success with the ‘Music Like a Vitamin’ concert we wanted to try something different this year, so we’re bookending the festival with two concerts: one tomorrow in Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket, featuring Emma Pollock, Karine Polwart, Alasdair Roberts and James Yorkston, and then another at Edinburgh’s Picturehouse on October 21st, with Frightened Rabbit, Norman Blake and Euros Childs, Attic Lights and my own solo debut.

Stereokill: At last year’s gig the night ended with the formation of Scottish indie supergroup of sorts, with members of The Twilight Sad, Teenage Fanclub and Sons & Daughters performing a covers set. Will there be any collaborations between the artists this year?

RJ: Possibly, it depends on the time we have available before and on the night. There are more acts this year so we may be tight for time – but I’m sure we will all get up to do something together at the end. Unfortunately, I dont have the time pre-gig to get a band together again and rehearse.

Stereokill: I assume you’re both a fan and a friend of the acts you’ve selected this year?

RJ: Indeed. Last year it was really a case of phoning my friends and calling in favours at short notice, and I was worried that, having used most of them up, it would be tough this year. But – due to the success and good will of last year – this year has been quite easy to pull together; people are really keen to give up their time for this cause.

Stereokill: The public have been asked to write-in and suggest songs that inspire hope. What songs have been popular choices so far?

RJ: Oh, theres a list longer than my street from John Martin to Elvis: all sorts! I think music really does have a huge effect on people – and it’s also a great way for people to connect with others, and that is what this festival is all about: trying to let people know what services and organisations there are for people to connect with, and also to try and make people know they are not the only ones to go through mental health issues and dont have to do it on their own.

Stereokill: Do you see yourself continuing to work with this festival in the long-term?

RJ: Definately. I think for as long as i can. It’s something that has helped me as well, and there are other, more year-round, projects that I’m trying to get off the ground with the backing of the festival and Breathing Space.

Stereokill: Can you tell us a little more about these projects?

RJ: Some – but not too much, as they are fledgling at the moment.

Stereokill: No worries.

RJ: The main idea is to have a more songwriter based project which will culminate in a record and then concerts as part of the festival. Something to keep people involved and talking about these things inbetween festivals.

Stereokill: Sounds like a good idea. Is it likely that the record will involve artists that have performed at these Music Like a Vitamin concerts over the years?

RJ: Certainly some. There is a set idea now, and a plan, but I’m just awaiting the right funding. I think the main thing is to keep momentum so that we’re not backtracking every year when we start a new festival.

Stereokill: I agree. The festival is this huge widespead Scottish event in October, and then it just disappears. It would be good to have it’s message lasting throughout the year.

RJ: Exactly.

Stereokill: Are you excited to be debuting your own material live for the first time during the festival?

RJ: Nervous.

Stereokill: How’s the album shaping up?

RJ: It’s finished now and just waiting to be mastered.

Stereokill: Brilliant. Is it self-produced?

RJ: Mainly, yes, although Dave Eringa, long-time Idlewild producer, mixed the record with me – and fixed it. (laughs)

Stereokill: Will there be any guests on the material, or is primarily yourself?

RJ: There are guests on the record, and on the night I will have a band and some of the recording guests with me, primarily my friend Jackie Irvine who sings with me on some songs – and, for one night only, [Idlewild bandmates] Colin [Newton], Allan [Stewart] and Gareth [Russell] will be helping out as my band. I’ll be on tour with Idlewild right up to the night before, so they have kindly agreed to rehearse with me on the road and step in for the night.

Stereokill: Awesome! Does the album have a title yet?

RJ: It has two and I haven’t decided which one yet. I’d rather not say just yet until i make my mind up – if that’s ok?

Stereokill: Perfectly fine. The last time you spoke to the site, you noted that the album might see its release idependently via the internet. Do you still plan to release it in this manner?

RJ: Possibly. I’m talking to a couple of labels, but I’m definately still drawn towards doing things in a DIY fashion. I plan to make a decision in the next fortnight.

Stereokill: Let’s talk about the new Idlewild album, Post Electric Blues. Personally, I think it’s one of the band’s finest albums. Do you have a favourite track on there?

RJ: I have a few that I think are stand out tracks: I think “Readers & Writers” finally captured us having fun on record, whereas melodically I think “(The Night) Will Bring You Back to Life” is really strong, and “Post-Electric” gives the band a chance to show off a bit.

Stereokill: You share lead vocal duties with Roddy Woomble on “(The Night) Will Bring You Back to Life”. How did this song come about?

RJ: It was just a song we wrote in his living room that came together really quickly, and I think it’s quite simple and didn’t suit overcomplication. It was just a good idea to make it a duet to give it a different flavour.

Stereokill: There are some brilliant harmonies in that song.

RJ: Thank you. Harmonies are one of my favourite things and music like Crosby Stills and Nash and the whole Laurel Canyon scene really has had a huge influence on me. They interest me a lot more than guitar chops to be honest.

Stereokill: Would I be right in saying there’s also a Teenage Fanclub influence in Idlewild’s harmonies?

RJ: I’m sure: they are Scottish masters of the harmony. I’m very fortunate to have been able to work alongside Norman [Blake] during the festival.

Stereokill: With tracks like “Readers & Writers”, “Circles In Stars” and added instruments like glockenspiel – was there a conscious decision to expand on Idlewild’s sound a little more with this album?

RJ: For me, I think it was really about making it sound more fun. I’m a big fan of the Boss, and the way that the E-Street Band have that wall of instruments: they really sound like a band having a good time.

Stereokill: Post Electric Blues sounds like Idlewild’s most content album – it sounds like a band comfortable within its own skin.

RJ: I think the way we approached making this record, and doing things ourselves and involving our fans just gave us the freedom and time to do what we wanted to do without any pressure. I think it has been a turning point for us.

Stereokill: Now that the dust has settled, I imagine the band will consider releasing the next Idlewild album a similar DIY fashion?

RJ:Almost certainly. It was a risk I thought was worth taking – and I have to say I was a little nervous of being lynched by the rest of the band had it not worked out – but I think involving our fans this way and trying to bring back control to ourselves has, thankfully, worked out really well.

Stereokill: From a fan’s perspective it was certainly interesting logging into the site and reading the blogs about the album’s creation – and of course the ones about the frustrating technical snags which hindered its release.

RJ: Certainly there have been lessons to learn, and I think next time we will know the pitfalls a bit better.

Stereokill: This is the fourth full-length Idlewild album to be produced by Dave Eringa. Can you see yourselves working with anyone else in the future? Or is Eringa like the “6th” member of Idlewild in a studio context?

RJ: I think we have a great relationship with Dave – to date, I’ve worked on seven records with him – and certainly that is something that will continue, but we are always open to new experiences and ways of thinking.

Stereokill: For the album’s general release the band has settled on Cooking Vinyl records. Why Cooking Vinyl?

RJ: Because of the people there – especially Joe Cokell, who worked with us at Sanctuary.

Stereokill: Is this a one album deal with Cooking Vinyl?

RJ: There are options for further records which allow us to go through our pre-order process.

Stereokill: That’s good news! Were you dissapointed when the album leaked online in June?

RJ: Obviously that is dissapointing given the way that we involved people – but it’s part of modern music unfortunately.

Stereokill: Are you looking forward to the forthcoming tour – it’s been a while since the band has toured behind an album.

RJ:Yes. It’s always fun to get a good run of shows under your belt and touring around with a bunch of your friends – including our long suffering crew – is always fun.

Stereokill: You’re heading out with fellow Eringa-produced Scots, The Xcerts – are you a fan?

RJ: I think they’re a good young band who I look forward to hearing more of throughout the tour. They come highly recommended and seem like really nice people – which is very important on a tour also.

Stereokill: I can imagine. What have been some of your favourite acts to tour with over the years?

RJ: My favourite was, probably, The Walkmen: a really different and interesting band with great songs and lovely people. Obviously R.E.M. – and Pearl Jam were very lovely.

Stereokill: Have you listened to Pearl Jam’s new album? It’s a corker.

RJ: Not yet.

Stereokill: Do you have a favourite venue to perform in?

RJ: Certainly the Barrowlands in Glasgow is great, but I love the new Picture House in Edinburgh and I’m really looking forward to the gigs there.

Stereokill: I caught the band’s set at this year’s Wickerman festival – how was it from a musicians point of view? Do you enjoy playing festivals?

RJ: Festivals are a mixed bag. I prefer our own shows where there is more focus and preparation but some festivals just go well and Wickerman was certainly one of those: a great crowd and a lovely setting.

Stereokill: The weather was certainly in your favour that night.

RJ: A rarity.

Stereokill: Finally, why was the pre-order exclusive, “No Wiser”, left off the standard Post Electric Blues track listing.

RJ: We had to decide on one to leave off due to the package we offered, and I think it was just the one song that didn’t fit with the others so well.

Stereokill: That makes sense. It is hard trying to imagine where it would be placed, flow-wise.

RJ: I often think a good song is just that – but sometimes it doesnt make sense in the greater picture of an album.

For more information on the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival click here. Rod’s Music Like a Vitamin concert will take place on October 21st. Tickets are £5.

Post Electric Blues is out next week on October 5th. In support of the album, Idlewild will play the following shows:

Oct 10th – Club Academy, Manchester University Students Union
Oct 11th – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
Oct 12th – Phoenix Centre, Exeter
Oct 13th – Colchester Arts Centre
Oct 15th – Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea
Oct 16th – Electric Ballroom, Camden Town
Oct 18th – O2 Academy, Oxford
Oct 19th – Waterfront, Norwich
Oct 27th – Empire, Middlesbrough
Oct 28th – Cockpit, Leeds
Oct 29th – O2 Academy 2, Birmingham
Oct 30th – Leadmill
Nov 1st – Victoria Hall, Selkirk
Nov 2nd – Fat Sams, Dundee
Nov 3rd – HMV Picture House, Edinburgh
Nov 5th – Ironworks, Inverness
Nov 6th – Moshulu, Aberdeen
Nov 7th – BA Club, Fort William
Nov 28th – Homecoming Live: The Final Fling, Glasgow SECC