Interview : Malcolm Middleton
The Little Stalkers interviewed Malcolm one week before his 5th album, Waxing Gibbous, was released on the 1st of June 2009
The Little Stalkers : How is Waxing Gibbous different from your other albums ? What do you think makes it interesting ?
Malcolm : It's probably just a progression rather than something completely different. Some songs are deep, and some are insignificant pop rants. The music flits between fun, comfort and familiarity. I'm not sure what people will find interesting about it, maybe just hearing someone else’s point of view ?
TLS : What kind of evolution would you see in the future for your music ?
Malcolm : Hopefully something drastic. I need to start thinking outside of my box. After five solo albums I think it's time for a change, or a rest. I think my songs are quite poppy even if the subject matter usually isn't. I like melody and patterns so I don't think this'll change, so maybe I'll write the perfect song. I dunno. I do need to try something different though as I'm quite bored of myself.
TLS : Did you work on lyrics and music the same way than previously ?
Malcolm : Yes, I think so, just rummaging through notebooks of stuff that I've written over the past few years. Tweaking them and squeezing them to fit into whatever music I've written. Or sometimes they come naturally, like Travellin' Socks or Shadows, they were written by singing along with a guitar until words formed into a release for feelings ...
TLS : There was a noticeable difference between Arab Strap material and your solo work. Your more recent material has been easier to listen to, and even (dare I say it ?) "poppy". Does this new-found optimism indicate that you were miserable in Arab Strap ?
Malcolm : I wasn't miserable, but I wasn't able to fully express myself either. Besides, it's different doing music alone and working jointly with someone else. Aidan and I had good chemistry for making Arab Strap songs but I think we're lucky that we're both good individually as well. I sometimes regret that we didn't channel all of our creativity into one project, i.e. his Lucky Pierre type soundscapes and some of my songs could've combined to make a bigger better Arab Strap. Or maybe not. Doesn't matter now.
TLS : If so, what provoked this change ?
Malcolm : I've always loved simple pop music and melody. Probably being in a down beat "miserable" band gave me the impetus to do something different. It's just what I was writing I suppose.
TLS : Your music has been described as “pessimistic pop” : do you agree ? Are you really pessimistic, or rather, realistic ?
Malcolm : I'm neither exclusively but I do tend to veer between them all. Depends what the situation is. I'm always right though, unfortunately I'm too hyper-sensitive and intuitive to be deluded. That would be nice sometimes.
TLS : Do you think pop should be more about real life rather than love and life being great ?
Malcolm : No, there's room for everything and happy pop music is a necessity. It annoys me though that because I do the opposite people think I'm grumpy. I'm not, I'm just expressing the alternative.
TLS : I know you’re having a break from the girl bands cover at the moment, but what other songs in that genre would you like to have a bash at ?
Malcolm : I'll probably come back to it soon as there are still some songs I want to do. I'll keep them secret for now though. I'll try to do 10 by the end of the year, so that's a free album for everyone. From me.
TLS : Any other genre you’d like to cover ? (I suggest mainstream American hip-hop)
Malcolm : Maybe ... or maybe some acoustic metal classics.
TLS : How was it like to play in Istanbul ? Where else would you like to play ?
Malcolm : It was great. I'd been years ago with Arab Strap so it was good to go back. The people are really up for grumpy Scottish mumbling. Success !
TLS : Are you looking forward to the summer tour and playing festivals ? Anything special planned for the tour ? (surprise guests ?)
Malcolm : Yes, I'm very excited about it, me and my band usually have lots of fun. Pictish Trail is supporting so hopefully I'll be able to rope him into singing with me too, like he does on the new record.
Sounds like fun ! To catch up with Malcolm Middleton (and Pictish Trail !) on his summer dates, go check www.myspace.com/malcolmmiddleton. Waxing Gibbous is available now on Full Time Hobby records.
CB.
