31 f 12 shots from the fRoots Rocket Launcher a dozen leading questions to fire at Rachael McShane
If you were given the funds to organise a concert bill, who would the artists be?
If funds are unlimited I'd probably put on a nice festival with all my favourite people to listen to and hang out with, people like The Young'uns, The Moulettes, Leveret, The Shee, Faustus. There would be great food and drink, hot showers, the sun would be shining and the toilets fragrant! In fact I think I could probably go to that festival somewhere this summer and be a happy bunny.
Which totally obscure record do you most treasure and would like more people to know about?
I really love The Noah's Ark Trap by Nic Jones. It's probably not that obscure to a lot of folk fans but it's sadly unavailable to buy these days. My parents have a copy on vinyl so every few years I drag the record player out of their loft and give it a spin. It's a cracking album that more people should have the chance to hear.
What was the best live gig you ever saw? My partner bought us tickets to see
Vulfpeck at Shepherd's Bush Empire last year as a surprise. I had no idea where we were going or what we were going to see. It was the most fun gig I've ever been to, great playing but lots of laughs too. It's always great to see a band that look like they're enjoying themselves on stage.
And what was the worst?
Some friends of mine (I won't name names!) played a charity gig a few years ago. It was held in a social club and it seemed like most of the crowd were there for the extensive booze raffle. Unfortunate- ly one of the band members managed to knock a speaker over during the sound- check, right into the prize table sending hard liquor and glass flying everywhere. There was then a period of mopping up before they played a gig to the most miser- able-looking, unappreciative audience. Great band though!
What was your own best ever gig?
It's hard to pick just one! I totally love playing gigs and there have been so many that I've enjoyed for different reasons over the years. I always loved the Bellowhead shows that we did on New Year’s Eve. We usually did a normal gig set followed by a covers set where we all dressed up. It was usually a bit shonky but lots of fun and every- one was a bit drunk and in a good mood!
And what was your worst?
The worst gig ever has to be the gig where someone had managed to put a mas- sive hole in the side of my cello while it was
on its stand on stage just before I went on. It took many painstaking hours putting every splinter back together but it looks pretty good again now, thankfully.
What’s the professional achievement you’re most proud of?
I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of Bellowhead and there are so many amazing achievements I could choose from, but on a personal level I'm currently feeling proud as punch to have an album coming out on Topic Records. It's an amaz- ing feeling to be on the same label as some of my heroes.
What’s the most embarrassing thing you ever did in public?
I can't really think. Maybe being a per- former and doing lots of ridiculous things to earn a living means that you don't embarrass easily. Don't ask any of my mates though, I'm sure they'd come up with something!
Which song or piece of music would you most like to have written yourself?
It would be great to have written something that was great fun to play on
your own, like Bach's Six Cello Suites. I've had my copy since I was a teenager and it looks well loved.
Who was the first musician or singer you were inspired to emulate?
My Dad. He was incredibly patient and generous with his time when I was growing up. We spent a lot of time singing songs and playing tunes together and we still do when we get the chance.
Who was the last-but-one musician or singer you lusted after?
What is this, Heat magazine?!
If you had a rocket launcher, who or what would be the target, and why?
Well there are certainly plenty of obvi- ous targets at the moment: Brexit, the cur- rent shambolic government, Trump. In the interests of peace though I'd quite happily launch it at celery, rotten stuff.
Rachael McShane & The Cartographers are touring in the autumn to launch their new Topic album When All Is Still.
rachaelmcshane.co.uk
F
root salad
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148
