Music Q&A: Tangerines

What informs your music and songwriting?
Everything around us – the birds, the bees, the city air we all breathe, the Big Issue guy I see every day out on the streets has to be somewhere in there too. I think I must be related to him.

How have you evolved as a band over the years?
I think it’s hard when you’re in the thick of something, as opposed to being on the outside looking in. I mean, I know we’ve evolved and we continue to forever evolve, otherwise what’s the point in anything, whether that’s as a band or a human being? In terms of our music, we’ve all grown into being one strong, striding force rather than the four of us aimlessly hitting out songs with an individual approach. I think that’s fairly important – for us anyway.

What are you up to at the moment artistically?
On the whole, just writing new material. We’ve got a bag load of new stuff that really feels good and boundless. Besides a couple of short, to the point tracks, we’re letting ourselves loose and writing some real lengthy numbers too, which we’ve never really let ourselves do in the past. Hopefully a few of these will make the next album or physical thing we decide to put out.

What’s on your rider?
Not much – just beer usually. There’s no point having high hopes for a great rider in the UK. We need to take a few tips from the rest of Europe, where you actually get treated with at least an inch of respect and hospitality, no matter what level a musician you are.

Tell us your most embarrassing or surreal experience?
EVERY DAY IS A SURREAL EXPERIENCE!

What song do you wish you’d written?
Robert Wyatt, Pigs.

What’s your worst lyric?
Maybe this question was intended for most of the rubbish that gets played on the radio. Have you heard my lyrics? Mine are great.