Crack

Bands that make three songs, do a recording that somehow finds its way into Radio 1’s office (probably Zane Lowe), and six months later headline Brixton Academy as ‘the next big thing’ don't last. Tall Ships’ path to success is in the more traditional ilk and a big homage to forging your own quality musical path.

Students at the ever-creative hub that is Falmouth University, the three-piece quickly garnered a reputation in Cornwall as a must - see live band, regularly filling sweaty underground clubs to more than their legal capacity.

The problem with being in the most detached county in the UK however is that you tend to be a bit isolated from the more prominent music scenes and tastemakers. Being in a county that, in part, wants to be detached from England, you won’t be finding hoards of music journalists making a regular pilgrimage. The good thing for Tall Ships is that after cutting their teeth in the smaller clubs and bars in Cornwall, they are now receiving the kind of attention they deserve.

After headlining Crack’s first birthday in August and playing a number of dates across the country, their multi - layered and energetic music is finding its way into places like the NME and further afield. With a another 30 dates penned in over the next couple of months, their unrelenting charge continues.

A band with a great sense of fun and humour and an even greater set of tunes, they are set to break hearts and ears in the coming year. They are literally standing on the edge of big things and no one else Crack has encountered in the last year sounds fresher or better equipped. If having success in music was down to petrol miles in a van, Tall Ships would be headlining Brixton Academy tomorrow. Crack catches up with the Richard, James and Matt as they look into the next few months ahead.

How are you finding life as Tall Ships at the moment?

Absolutely incredible! We are very, very busy at the moment, with loads of gigs and the release of our second EP. It feels a bit more professional; less like we’re inflicting a bedroom hobby upon an audience and more like we’re a proper 'real' band. We have just got off tour with Minus The Bear, which was a bit surreal. It’s not often you get to play with your heroes, so that was wicked. It’s great to have some new songs floating about too.

You have over 30 gigs coming up over the next 2 months. Are you enjoying your shows at the moment? They must be tight?

Shows are the best thing about being in a band! So yeah, we really love being on tour and the more gigs we have the better. We are currently on tour with Tubelord, which is always naughty and fun and we also have some shows with Maps and Atlases, which are going to be incredible. Oh, and we’re going to Europe with 65 Days of Static! That’s going to just be ridiculous. The band is a great way to get out, see new places and meet lovely people.

Tell us about your travel arrangements. Cosy?

Well, we travel inside a beautiful van, which goes by the name of Candice. She is a babe. She never complains about the huge amount of men she has inside her on a regular basis.

How has being all at uni together at Falmouth shaped you as a band?

Starting in Falmouth had a real impact on how we developed as a band. It is pretty isolated down there, so we just got to play in front of our friends for a year while we decided what sort of band we wanted to be. Every gig was just a big old laugh, though the standard six-hour drive to play a gig anywhere other than Cornwall was never much fun.

You now have the same booking agent as Battles and Aphex Twin. Does being on a good roster help you?

Our booking agent Debbie is a legend. We just owe her so much as a band, because without the shows she's booked, we wouldn't be anywhere near where we are at right now. She is like a travel agent who gets us paid to go on holiday and dick about on a stage for a while.

What music is inspiring you at the moment?

Ah that’s a toughy; Right Said Fred, No Mercy, Lionel Richie, N-Dubz, Tinchie Stryder - all the usual modern folk/indie inspirations really!

Has your music developed with the technology available?

Well as band I think technology has had a real impact upon our music. All our music is based around building loops. The loop pedal is boss. That foot pedal shapes all song structures, harmonies and our live show. It gives us the scope to create a real dense and layered sound, like we have 20 people in the band rather than three. So I suppose our song-writing process is a little unusual compared to other bands. Tall Ships just couldn't exist without looping technology.

What’s next for you guys?

We have our second EP There Is Nothing But Chemistry Here being released on October 25th and then touring, more touring and the slightly daunting prospect of putting together some new songs for an album.

Shall we sign you in to play our year parties from now on?

Hell Yeah! Your last party was sweet. Did you ever find out who spewed all over your office staircase?

No we didn’t. But when we do, you won’t want to be in a 10-mile radius. If you had to make a super one-man band, what parts of other bands would you use to form the person in question?

Yoni Wolf's head. John Stainer's arms. Elton John’s Legs. David Catmur's upper lip. Angus Young’s crotch. David Sitek's brain. Phil Collins’ penis. Katy Perry's rack. Snoop Dogg’s corn rows. BOOM! What a monster.

Do you think the pope is secretly gay?

No, but pretty sure he is hell bent on removing the joy and immensity of existence from most people’s lives.

After Crack’s Creative Head came and played melodica for you on a live acoustic track, do you think you might need him in the band to help take things forward a little?

No. It would just complicate things too much. We all have serious man crushes on him and jealousy and bitching would run rife in the band. We would probably end up splitting.

Can we be best friends?

Thought we already were. Once you've had a little Crack you always will be crawling back.


Tune: Chemistry


Tall Ships are playing for Crack at The Mothers Ruin in Bristol on December 10th

http://www.myspace.com/tallshipsfromfalmouth

- - - - - - - - - -