25 f 12 shots from the fRoots Rocket Launcher a dozen leading questions to fire at Ruth Theodore
If you were given the funds to organise a concert bill, who would the artists be?
Oh that’s easy. Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Laurie Anderson, Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton… oh sorry I thought you said audience.
Which totally obscure record do you most treasure and would like more people to know about?
The owner of an old record shop in Norwich took me under his wing one day and as a result I was given hundreds of 78s, my favourite of which turned out to be Bumble Boogie. When played on my wind up gramo- phone it’s a hyperactive scratchy pleasure that I inflict upon people when- ever possible. For some reason it sounds its best if the other person isn’t in the mood for it.
What was the best live gig you ever saw?
It has to be Antony And The Johnsons with the Metropole Orchestra at Wilderness Festival. My best mate and I had listened to the songs off and on together for years but we were still under-prepared. It was so intense we had to hold hands.
And what was the worst?
One blurry summer in the ’90s I somehow, without paying, saw Jon Bon Jovi complete with his chest hair out at the old Wembley Stadium. I fell down four or five rows of chairs and ended up in an ambulance. I’m not sure it wasn’t just an excuse to leave early.
What was your own best ever gig?
I’ve had some good ’uns but I’m willing to bet I haven’t had it yet. And what was your worst?
Why is my career being past-tensed? Do you know something I don’t? What’s the professional achievement you’re most proud of?
Opening for Ani DiFranco for two sold-out nights at the Union Chapel. Everyone involved in the show was so calm and in control I could have sworn they’d done it all before.
What’s the most embarrassing thing you ever did in public?
Well the first time was when I lay naked and crying in a stranger’s arms when I was just born and its pretty much been downhill from there really. Luckily sometime between then and now I stopped caring.
Which song or piece of music would you most like to have written yourself? Jolene, and not just for the juke box royalties. I love the humanity in it. Who was the first musician or singer you were inspired to emulate?
Emulate is much too strong a word but Kathryn Tickell musically. I used to write folk violin pieces before I picked up a guitar. I had a Sheryl Crow phase at school which got me into guitar and lots of brown suede but did- n’t teach me much. Later I came across Ani DiFranco who inspired me to set up my own label and do things my way.
Who was the last-but-one musician or singer you lusted after?
Generally I’m more of an opposites attract enthusiast, but I did have a time travel crush on Stravinsky not so long ago. What can I say, I like a challenge!
If you had a rocket launcher, who or what would be the target, and why?
If I had a rocket launcher I would strap myself to it, point it into space and see where I ended up. I am forever writing about time and space maybe because down here I don’t feel we get much of either.
Ruth Theodore’s new album Dear Lamp Love Moth was just released on the River Rat label. You can hear a track on last issue’s fRoots 44 compilation.
root salad
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