Interview: Pilgrim Speakeasy
Pilgrim Speakeasy On Myspace
Here’s a thought - there are not enough mavericks in the music business any longer. Back in my day, the pop charts were regularly invaded by musical loons, seemingly untroubled by the need to conform to any of the normal rules of existence. From Frank Zappa, via Alex Harvey to Ed Tudor Pole (a HOLV favourite) the occasional appearance of artists who appeared to exist entirely in their own bubble of consciousness made a refreshing change to the pop pap of the day.
But, as the marketing departments of Sony, EMI and Universal began to dominate the rundown, the more leftfield artistes gradually began to disappear. Presumably back to their spaceships.
Now, rather excitingly, the musical maverick is back. Empowered by t’internet, a new generation of musicians can be as experimental as they like without having to worry about how it sounds to an A&R man. One such artist is Pilgrim Speakeasy (Roger to his Mum), who combines the funkadelics of Parliament with a political and mystical message, the likes of which HOLV has never heard before. Intrigued, we caught up with him in Finland.
HOLV: First up, what do we call you - Pilgrim? Speakeasy? Roger?!
PS: Whatever you like as long as it's decent. The line between my personas has become rather blurred and I'm not sure I know the difference anymore.
HOLV: You are in Finland at the moment - do you spend a lot of time there?
PS: I have been living in Finland for two years now. I try to get back to Blighty whenever I can to see my folks, but after living in the Big Smoke it's nice and quiet here.
HOLV: You have said your music sounds like "someone's had too much to think". Can you describe your music for us?
PS: I can try but it might just sound like a sales pitch! Accidentally accessible, it caresses and smacks at the same time. How was that?! Other people have described it as being like anything from Frank Zappa to Funkadelic or even Pink Floyd. I’ve had “eclectic”, “retro funk”, “experimental”, “classic rock” and “psychedelic”. It has been described as being “like floating on a pool of liquid ecstasy”. The music sounds just like it should to me, so it's hard to say. The songs all begin as jams and then I give them shape and form with no particular adherence to genre.
HOLV: So, how is the new album coming along? Do you play with a band or do most things yourself?
PS: It's coming along well. I'm just finishing it off now. It's probably going to be a double CD as there are 15 tracks. There will maybe be one more and I'll be able to come out of my cabin fever - the winters are very long here! I play everything myself and also record and mix it myself. I am starting to enjoy the craft of production and it really is an art in itself. Since I left London a few years ago, I have not had a regular band, but now I need to put one together for this new album. I need to get out and about, so I’ll have to try to find some players.
HOLV: Most of your output and web copy has an overtly political slant. Does the new album have a similarly political message?
PS: I'm not sure it is overtly political. I think it is a more essential and eclectic expression than that of the segregated organisational systems of politics. I don't see politics as being reflective enough of individuals. I think a lot about nature, evolution, human potential and the energy which everything shares. The expressions may seem to be political as politics often presents boundaries for many of these things. I think politics will only become useful again when it frees itself from corporate control, because at the moment, as most of us are aware, the real power is outside of government. As a soundscaper, you can never forget about the feel of the music and sometimes this gives us the real meaning and power.
HOLV: Given that your message is very anti-materialistic and cautious of western consumerism, do you think it's ironic that your main communication method (Myspace) is owned by Rupert Murdoch? Does this make you uncomfortable?
PS: That doesn't reflect well on my communication! I actually don't use Myspace that much. I'm quite lazy at keeping in touch! I used to have a real phobia of computers and I've only been using them since I came to Finland. I do think there is great potential in the internet at the moment though. But yes I am concerned with the never-ceasing conquering of the corporate agenda and its continual invasion upon “Ourspace”. But, regarding Myspace; when I think of the people with whom I have made acquaintance and the people who have really loved the music, I realise that it may be run by Darth Vader and might be a bit trashy, but it can still be utilised to positive effect. There are some good blogs there and some real off the wall heads. I'm not a huge fan though and have to say that when I started on it, Murdoch didn't own it.
HOLV: You believe in escaping material enslavement - do you think this can realistically be achieved, and if so, how?
PS: There should be more questions like this in interviews. Materialism can be the tool used to suppress or divert facets of human nature which are not saleable or quantifiable and therefore have no currency in this consumer society. We cannot escape the reality that we are embodied in material form and I think it is natural for us to enjoy and experience the form and functions of the material world. As usual, it is only when this nature is marketed and exploited that we become its slaves. It is in the moving towards self-determination that we can redefine ourselves away from the status of consumers towards deciding our own realities. The more people can do for themselves and others outside of large organisations the better. The world is what you make yourself. Having said that, my carrots were shite last year.
HOLV: Finally, to end on a lighter note - when you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
PS: I don't remember. I think I was too into my childhood. Maybe I wanted to be a child, so it seems to have worked out well for me!
Interviewed By Mackie
