Ahead of their second EP, The Sky Suspended, I got in touch with Proud Proud People's trumpet player Michael Clay for an insight into the world of Cheshire's finest rising talent.
The band, originally, was just a folk duo. The lead singer, Andy, was a little tipsy and a little bored and asked if anyone fancied going around to his with a guitar. Cody obliged and they ended up drinking a lot of wine and writing an 'album'. A few people heard it and theygot enough good feedback to keep going. They then recorded the first proper album, Festival for Forest Animals, before deciding to take it a step further. A few of us were asked if they could join in and it sort of grew from there. We've now settled with the current line-up, seven people, and recorded two EP's with a full band.
Did you have any expectations for the band?
I think, originally, for me personally, it was just a bit of fun. It seemed like it would be enjoyable making music and playing gigs with my friends. I didn't realise how addictive it would be. It's fulfilled my original expectations. I love every minute with the band, whether it's rehearsing or gigging, or in the studio, and it's grown enough now for us all to take it quite seriously. We're still enjoying it and we're getting enough people telling us that they like it to make us want to carry on.
What is it like having so many people involved in the music?
At first glance it might seem like too many people to have in a band; too many cooks spoil the broth etc., but up to now we've found quite the opposite. It's quite liberating being in a room full of people that you trust, musically. We're able to share ideas and try things out, and as there is so many of us, the ideas keep coming. We usually write by way of layering, perhaps starting with the guitar parts and then laying everything else on top of it a bit at a time, refining it at each stage. Of course, we'll disagree with certain things and there have been the odd argument, but we're fairly democratic, so we'll usually put it to the vote and get on with it. Up to now - touch wood - there have genuinely only been positive things come out of having this number of people.
How has your music changed since you formed in 2009?
I think the best way to mark the change is by listening to the EP's, not that I'm plugging it or anything! Even the difference between the last EP and our new one is quite marked. Generally, the sound has got bigger, and it's been filled out by the addition of instruments, but maintained the original ethic of subtle writing and musicianship.
Are you guys excited for the release of The Sky Suspended?
We're very excited! Its been a long wait for us. We recorded everything in August, and we've had the final mastered version since September time. We wanted to get used to the songs ourselves and have a chance to get them well rehearsed before we released the EP, so that we can hit it at full steam. We were very happy with the recording process - we worked with Christophe Bride from Oxygene studios in Manchester and it was a massive leap for us, production-wise. Whilst we were very happy with our first EP, we didn't feel that it put across how we sound live, but with this EP - it sounds huge in places, but still captures the 'folk' stylings that we build our songs around. We're very eager to get it out to as many people as possible and get their feedback, and to rack up the gigs in the next few months.
Where do you guys get your influences from?
As there are quite a few of us in the band, the influences are quitewide ranging, all the way from singalong pop to techno. I guess the bands that have influenced us the most would be The National, Interpol, Guided by Voices, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Peggy Sue, The Maccabees, Beirut, Elbow...those kinds of bands. I come from an electronic music background - house and techno, our drummer is very much influenced by jazz, and our bass player is big on soul and funk. It's a very eclectic mix, but it seems to work when we come together.I think we all have a love of well-written music, both in the sense that the lyrics are written honestly and beautifully, and that the instrumentation make it fun for the listener. There's definitely a pop sensibility to the stuff that we write.
What are you listening to at the moment?
I'm currently listening to quite a mix of stuff, as I write I have Etta James on. I heard the latest Panda Bear album the other day which I thought was fantastic, as is the new Air album. I DJ too, and there's a producer at the moment called Aeroplane - I think its one guy, maybe two - and I can't get enough of his remixes. Absolutely fantastic.
Who would you compare yourself to?
It's fairly difficult for us to compare ourselves to anyone really. Ourset-up is a bit different to any other bands that we have played with, and there aren't really any bands that sound like us. There are bands with trumpets and saxophones in, but they're used quite differently. Equally, we don't try to sound like anyone else. Going back to my previous point, as there is so many of us, each with our own influences, by the time it gets to the finished article, there's so many things in there that it can only be one thing really, and that's us!
What do you think of the Stoke folk music scene?
I, personally, don't have a fantastic knowledge of the Stoke folk music scene. I live in Manchester and so only really get chance to go to Stoke gigs when we play there ourselves. Though I have been listening to a guy called Aaron Mobberley - heard about him through BBC Introducing from Stoke - he's fantastic. I think it was 'Crayons' that did really well with BBC Stoke and they had it on one of their end of year lists. He's a really nice guy too, we met him at the BBC studios the other night when we were doing a session. I've been ensured by a couple of other members of the band that there are quite a lot of excellent artists in the Stoke area. I think this is helped by the concentration of the scene as there are only two main venues, though I know there are others. This has helped get a good crowd down each and every week. In places like Manchester, there's so many venues and they are so sprawling, it's difficult to guarantee a crowd to grass-roots performers.
How have you found Butter Bridge Records?
Butter Bridge records are fantastic. They're a very small independent label set up by two good friends of ours; Jonathan Rathbone and Jack Gardner. The intention was to help artists who they like get their music out to as many people as possible, and they have done just that. It's a massive thing to take on, bearing in mind they both work full-time as well. We're extremely grateful for all the time and effort that they have put into us.
How are you promoting the album?
We have our album launch party on Saturday 18th February at Kraak, in Manchester's Northern Quarter. It's part of an arts festival put on by our label and will go on from 7pm until the wee hours. Details on Facebook. And, of course, our second EP, 'The Sky Suspended', is out on iTunes on Monday 13th February. There will also be a limited edition physical release of 100 copies available to buy at our gigs.
How can we find out more about Proud Proud People?
We are avid Facebookers, so you can find us on there. All of our gigs go up there, as well as on our own website. We're currently taking bookings for the next few months and trying to fill up our timetable so keep your eyes peeled and we'll be sure to let you know when we're playing near you.
More on Proud Proud People coming very soon...
