Music Q&A: Blancmange
We catch up with Neil Arthur ahead of his tour of his latest album, Unfinished Rooms. He visits Sheffield O2 Academy, 22 March, Manchester Band on the Wall, 23 March and Liverpool Arts Club, 24 March
What informs your music and songwriting?
Idle chatter, newspapers, aches and pains. Stuff in between the lines.
How have you evolved as a band over the years?
A lot of water under a bridge in need of repair. The name is the same, the noise that comes with it now somewhat different. My motto – the one thing I’m sure of is, I’m not sure.
What are you up to at the moment artistically?
We’re about to tour again with the album Unfurnished Rooms. That will be followed by the release of Near Future’s first album, Ideal Home. This is a project I work on with Jez Bernholz (Gazelle Twin). I’m also writing new material for the next Blancmange album, as well as work on songs for a couple of other future collaborative ventures.
What’s on your rider?
Water, beer, water.
Tell us your most embarrassing or surreal experience.
I kept a piece of turf that had fallen from Keith Newton’s (Blackburn Rovers) boot, on my bedroom window sill.
What song do you wish you’d written?
Seeland by Neu!
What’s your worst lyric?
“It must be my destiny.”