INTERVIEW. 042 - GAMBLER (OCEANSIZE/BIFFY CLYRO)

How do you feel about the last Oceansize album SPWTBFU? And the final tour you did in late 2010? ; Any particular special memories?

I’m very proud of ‘Self Preserved…’, I think it marked a turning point in our sound and the way we approached songwriting. The majority of the first three albums were the result of long and sometimes (in my opinion) tedious 'jam’ sessions. But the songwriting on 'SPWTBFU’ shifted to a more solitary process, with band members working on ideas at home and bringing in virtually finished songs to the practice room. This is the way I prefer to work so I enjoyed the writing phase a lot more. I was also pleased that a greater variety of songs made it onto the album, tracks such as 'Ransoms’ and 'Superimposter’ would never have made it past the demo phase for the first three albums. The tour that followed this album was the tour that finished the band off, so 'special’ would not be the word I would use to describe it. It was definitely memorable however, which leads us onto the next question…

Was the breakup of the band planned or sudden?

I can only tell you my side of the story, which obviously has four other sides. Going into the 'SPWTBFU’ tour I had no idea what was about to happen, although I can say with some degree of certainty that I felt things were about to change. My feelings in particular towards the band had certainly changed in the 12 months before that tour, I felt we’d reached a plateau, in fact I felt we were going slightly backwards. Certain relationships had also reached a point where we would either have to make a herculean effort to revive them or continue to bury our heads in the sand. Obviously we chose the latter, but as the tour made its way forward it was becoming increasingly evident that this path was a futile one. I’m not going to tell you exactly what happened but events culminated at a show in Warsaw, on the 24th of October, 2010. After the show I stepped off the stage with only one thought in my head, that I was done with it, finished. I have a very distinct feeling that maybe a few other members of the band had exactly the same notion. But the fun and frolics didn’t end there. About an hour after this I found out that my long term relationship had ended. As far as I could tell, the world was dissolving. I only mention this because it had a profound effect on my decision to leave the band. In my mind it was final, there was no going back. So in answer to your question, the breakup of the band was neither planned nor sudden, but a weird mixture of the two.

Has Oceansize been put to rest for good? Or will you 'do a Refused’ and be back in 14 years?

You never know what will happen in the future, I couldn’t possibly say one way or the other. It’s certainly not going to be any time soon I can guarantee you that. And of course I miss getting on stage and making an absolute racket, but what I don’t miss is what I had to tolerate in order to get to that point. I’m certainly not discounting the possibility that something may happen in the (distant) future though.

How did British Theatre come about? How did you settle on the sound you have?

Before Oceansize split I had the idea of getting Mike to sing on some ambient/drone music that I was working on, It never got past this idea stage although I did come up with a possible name for a side project, British Theatre. There was no specific reason for the name, I just thought the two words looked and sounded quite elegant. Then when Oceansize split and Mike and I discussed a new project I suggested the name. There was no great plan behind BT, just a case of us wanting to carry on working together in some capacity. As for the sound, we haven’t settled on anything yet apart from one thing, that it doesn’t sound like Oceansize, otherwise what’s the point? Though saying that, there is always going to be a little Oceansize DNA in there somewhere, which is completely understandable.

The overall response to BT seems to be very positive. Will it ever turn into a full time band?

We were quite overwhelmed by the response to the first EP, I for one wasn’t sure how the Oceansize fanbase (who were our main customers initially) were going to receive it. It seems, overall, that 'Size fans have quite eclectic and varied tastes in music however, so I don’t suppose I should have been all too surprised.

I very much doubt, however, that BT will turn into a full time concern. It is becoming increasingly difficult to earn a living as a musician and the main aim is to just keep on releasing music that we are proud of. Whether that is through a label or by ourselves I don’t know but as long as it continues to be creatively satisfying then that’s all I care about. After Oceansize split it felt amazing to just sit at home and write music just for the sake of it, just to actually enjoy the process. Because that’s why I write music, not in the hope that a million people get to hear it (although that would be great) and not to make money (again, that would be nice) but because I enjoy the creative process. It’s deeply satisfying.

The last BT E.P Dyed In The Wool Ghost has been pressed on vinyl. What’s your opinion on vinyl and the resurgence of it in recent years?

I’ve never been a die-hard vinyl person, I enjoy listening to music on all kinds of formats but in the last year I have been buying more of it. I went through a stage of hating MP3s simply because it doesn’t actually feel like you’ve bought anything, however convenient it is. It’s very satisfying as a musician to hold a piece of vinyl which contains the fruit of your labours, it feels finished, complete. MP3s are simply convenient, that’s all they are. The fact that you can carry around a million of them in your pocket is their only saving grace and I’m not even sure that’s a good thing.

After recently playing with Biffy Clyro during a few performances are there any plans to join them as a touring member alongside Mike Vennart?

I have indeed joined Biffy Clyro as a touring member.

Can you tell us about your various solo projects you have under different names?

Under my own name (Richard A Ingram) I write drone/ambient/experimental music and have released stuff on a few small labels. It started out with me just making weird noises and textures at home with no intention of people hearing it never mind it being released. But then a friend of mine who had started a small label in Manchester (WhiteBox Recordings) decided to release an album. I’ve written some electronic music under the name Phelan and hope to have some more finished soon but both these projects are having to take a back seat at the moment because of other commitments.

Do you have any live shows planned? Or any other future plans for 2013?

I’ve played a couple of live solo shows in Europe, it was fantastic getting on a plane to Italy with just a laptop in a bag. It’s not something I’m pursuing however but if anyone asks and I have the time then why not? The small festival I played in Italy was called The Half Die Festival and is basically a guy who likes weird/experimental music who flies musicians over to Italy and holds a tiny festival on the roof of his apartment!

As for British Theatre, we have talked about playing live but with Mike and I now touring members of Biffy Clyro who have just released an album, I can’t see it happening any time soon.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Yes, my employers and good friends Biffy Clyro have just made an absolutely stunning album, Opposites. It’s nothing short of fucking genius. If you get the chance you should go see them on their upcoming tour (and buy the album of course).

On the other side of the musical spectrum, these are some of the albums I’m enjoying at the moment -

Holly Herndon – Movement

Actress - R.I.P

Chilly Gonzales - Solo Piano 2

Kuedo – Severant

Andy Stott - Luxury Problems

Enjoy!

Gx

Gamblers website: http://richardaingram.co.uk/