Music Q&A: Deadleg

What informs your music and songwriting?
My songwriting is built on strong melody and honesty – I’m not into milking it. I have always loved to play with words so lyrically I draw on past experiences that have usually amused me or stuck with me for time, albeit to some annoyance!

How have you evolved as a musician over the years?
Previously with Molly Half Head and Wireless I was just singing, doing the singer things, climbing the lighting rig, taking my top off – y’know posturing and posing. Now with Deadleg I’m playing guitar and singing and it’s ace. I’m well into it. It’s a far more intense performance for me, connecting with the guitar and the audience. I get lost in it.

What are you up to at the moment artistically?
We are recording tunes that will be on the Deadleg album Dead-legacy and we’re also rehearsing for gigs. We have been asked to play at Musicians Against Homelessness – Merseyside, which is a momentous project and cause and playing in Liverpool is always boss, la! As they say.

What’s on your rider?
I’m not really a big drinker so two bottles of Lambrini Skinny and half a dozen Goblin meat puddings would suffice.

Tell us your most embarrassing or surreal experience.
I had a surreal fanboy experience at Reading Festival when I met Kevin Rowland. The whole time I was trying to wax lyrical about his classic album Don’t Stand Me Down he would look down at his nail polish, shake his head, tut and say: “Should have bought that Rose Confidential!”

What song do you wish you’d written?
Outdoor Miner by Wire. I love it. I think the song is pure genius – it’s uplifting, it’s got an edge and it’s timeless. The lyrics seem surreal unless you are Sir David Attenborough. I was always left wondering what is he singing about? Which is why I googled to find out and it’s really about a plant pest called a Serpentine Miner!

What’s your worst lyric?
Peering through a cloud above,
with thoughts of you in mind.
Only explanation being love,
I can’t keep track of time.

Mind you, I was 15 years old at the time.