Bill Ryder Jones is headlining The Q Stage at The Great Escape Festival on 16 May at St George’s Church. We spoke to the former Coral man, who returns with his third solo album later this year about what he’s got planned for the gig, which also features Gaz Coombes, Jane Weaver and Soley.
What’s your best Brighton memory?
Yeah I’ve been there a fair few times. We always seemed to have a day off then during the early Coral tours. I’ve a few good memories actually. I remember when the pier burnt down in the early 2000s, my guitar tech Kenna had this ace room in the hotel with a huge window over looking it. It was back when I used to smoke a lot of weed and we sat there listening to Dark Side Of The Moon and watching the sea. Seems a bit pathetic to talk about now but I remember enjoying it, it felt pretty surreal.
What have you got planned for your set?
Well there’s a new record just finished so we’ll be playing maybe five or six new songs and I think we’re going to do a cover. That’s about as exciting as its gonna get though. No leather keks or pyro, like.
Any surprises?
Well if the cover happens then one of my friends said they were going to get up and play that with us. It’s not a huge secret who it is but I can’t really say in case it doesn’t happen and people are disappointed.
Give us your pitch to get The Great Escape’s roaming crowds through the door.
‘Please come and watch me, I’m incredibly unappreciated and I’m thinking of becoming an estate agent if this doesn’t pan out.’
The Q Stage is in St George’s Church, the patron saint of England – what would you be the patron saint of?
Leisure!
What and when can we expect of your new album?
New album is maybe a touch heavier than the last. Similar style of songs I think. I’m not too sure. I’ve not reinvented the wheel or looked for anything new. I guess it’s just me writing about my thoughts as usual. I’m not sure I’m selling it too well here… It’s a bit like Kasabian but with added ‘lad’.
Fish’n’chips or Brighton rock?
I’m vegetarian so fish is out and my teeth are fucked as it is so I dunno. Can I have a flat bread or something from the middle class menu?
Paul Stokes@Stokesie
For more – including ticket news – head to Greatescapefestival.com.
