An Interview With Finley Quaye(1/2) By Steve Rudd

(1/2), (2/2).

Finley Quaye is currently at the start of a huge national tour, including a performance on 21st March at The Adelphi Club supported by local singer/songwriter, Jody McKenna. Last time Finley played Hull he had such a crowd in the Adelphi he stayed all week to party. Steve Rudd interviewed the 90s Reggae star in anticipation of another top night. Hi Finley, how are things? Sweet as...So how is 2009 treating you so far? Yeah alright - the credit crunch has been a bit mad.

Musicians seem to be the lucky ones at the moment, blessed maybe, plenty of work, it's been brutally cold this year and I am glad to be getting about to be honest, I am just so grateful for the fans, for keeping us on the road.

You are currently gearing up for an extensive UK tour. Do you always get excited about the prospect of hitting the road and bringing your music to the masses in a live situation? Of course, we get excited about bringing the vibe we have as a band to the masses, my music gives the band a basis to work on, focus points, my job as a songwriter is to give the musicians in my band structured songs to play. My job as a singer is to sing about what's going on. Intimate gigs like the ones we are playing is where it's at for vibe factor.

What do you think it is that so defines your particular brand of reggae? I would say what makes me stand out from the crowd musically is my technology, my ability to make loops quickly, to play instruments, guitar, congas, claves and shakers, my originality, my unique phrasing, clarity, diction, my individuality. I address the microphone and engage the listener. Were you always into reggae music as a young child and did you aspire from a young age to emulate your musical heroes?

I was at Notting Hill Carnival in London in 1980; that is where I first heard Reggae music as far as I am aware.

What has so far been the highlight of your glittering career in the music industry? Waking up on the Copacabana to security guards demanding that I return the duvets and silverware that I had brought down from my hotel room to the beach; that and hurling Champagne bottles off my hotel balcony at the guys doing demolition work across the street, that was on Sunset Strip, LA.

White knuckle flights to Sao Paulo and Hong Kong. Practicing arpeggios at night in the ocean, up to my knees in sea water, somewhere in Thailand. Giving an award away at the Indian Film Awards, giving David Gray an Ivor Novello. Meeting Celine Dion, Jackie Chan, Kate Moss, Mink DeVille and Danny Thomson. These are all various highlights of my career.

You recently released and album entitled The Best of the Epic Year. Of all the songs featured on the release, do you have any personal favourites and if you do, why are you so fond of such songs? Dice means such a lot to so many people it had to be included on the Album. Maverick A Strike has a vibe, had to be on the album, me on drums on that one and guitars; a one off. Hey Now is another great song, great music with rich sounds.

Continued.. Next Page (2/2).

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