incoming: ANDRE DURACELL!
WMC: Hello Andre, how are you?
Andre: Hi, I’ve just woken up in Manchester and have ten minutes before leaving to Edinburgh. My ears are ringing this morning, the weather has been so good these past few days so everyone in the UK is happy.
WMC: Are you excited to be returning to Wigan?
Andre: Yes, when I mention Wigan everybody looks at me funny, but it’s one of my favourite places to play. I’ve met the nicest people here, there’s always a good crowd.
WMC: Whats been the best show on the tour so far?
Andre: I don’t know really which show was the best, but in Tunbridge wells, I was staying at one of the guys from Shit and Shine who collects amps, and he was having a BBQ on the roof with his flatmates. The BBQ was in a small bucket. Around midnight three fire engines turned up on the street below us, and it took us some time to realise it was for us. “Hello, ‘avin a BBQ?” “Yep, ‘avin a BBQ” was as far as the conversation went.
WMC: You’re set up is insane, how did the idea come about?
Andre: A combination of wanting to put live effects on drums, it not working out, and getting sidetracked by wanting to sound like Lightning Bolt (bass and drums US band),
WMC: Is there a contrast with how audiences perceive you here in the UK as opposed to back home in France?
Andre: Not really…
WMC: Tell us some of your major influences?
Andre: Richard Feynman, Richard Dawkins, Mbira music from Zimbabwe, cannabis, science in general, Reddit, Mr Oizo, music from Madagascar, Ben Goldacre, Stephane Obadia.
WMC: What’s your favourite computer game?
Andre: Good question… I think my favourite game ever was elite back in 1985ish on the BBC microcomputer. I liked that the world felt so big and dangerous. I remember getting to deadly status but never elite.
WMC: Do you like zombie films?
Andre: I have a bit of a problem watching films, don’t know why, I think I don’t like much fiction in general.
WMC: You get a lot of crazy people at shows dancing like they’ve just downed a cup of acid, what is it in your music you think attracts these loons?
Andre: Good question, I’ve never downed a cup of acid, maybe I should try in order to understand their mindset.
WMC: What was the last album you bought?
Andre: My Mbira Teachers CD: Chartwell Dutiro and his band spirit talk.
WMC: What can we expect in your set this time round?
Andre: I’ve been working on an algorithmic piece based on the same code as DNA. I don’t have time to elaborate, but at the gig I’ll explain - Derren Brown style! (as one punter pointed out to me).
WMC: Finally, what advice would you give to musicians out there trying to do something different like yourself?
Andre: The only advice I have is CARE FOR YOUR EARS, I have tinnitus and it’s not going away, it really does spoil everything.
————————————————————————————
Andre Duracell plays The Tudor this Thursday (27th May) support from run, WALK! Free entry.
