Gruff Rhys Interview, Lovebox 2009

Gruff Rhys Interview, Lovebox 2009

21 July, 2009
by: Markspoonfed

It's early afternoon on the second day of Lovebox festival, and Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys has just played a wonderfully odd DJ set to a handful of bemused punters. Stylistically it's all over the place, from seventies progressive rock through to early industrial techno and cheesy Europop hits - and not a dud track among them. He is kind enough to stop for a quick chat to tell us about his plans for the future, new Welsh music and his favourite Neil Diamond tune:

Spoonfed: What's it like playing at a festival this early? Does it bother you at all playing in front of such a small crowd?

Gruff: Well, we did the Super Furry Animals show (at Corsica Studios) last night, and by six there were still people left at the party. We ended up coming over here pretty late…

So in other words, you're pretty knackered?

Yeah, I was actually quite pleased that there's only a few people here. It means I can get away with playing any old shit.

No way, it was awesome! Especially that song that goes ‘Aio ai ai ai ai ai aio…'. Who is that by?

It's by a band called Los Mustang, they're Spanish. (the song in question is Aio Aio, Que Se Mueran Los Feos by Los Mustang – you'll recognise it if you hear it)

So what have you got planned next? Any more solo albums? Another Super Furry Animals record?

Well, there's nothing planned out. We're trying to figure it out really. There are bits and bobs, a few ideas, that's all.

Anything you fancy telling us about?

We're putting a label together with some friends in Cardiff, it's called Irony Bored. We're going to be putting out the first album by Cate Le Bon in October on that label.

Will you be looking primarily to put out music by up and coming Welsh acts?

Well I live in Cardiff, so I come across Welsh musicians by default - it makes sense that we release Welsh records. But there's no strict policy. I'm a lazy bastard, so it will be an occasional record label!

Are there any new Welsh bands which you would particularly like to recommend?

I'm a big fan of Cate Le Bon, and she's also part of a band called Means Heinz. They're very sick, a very sick band. They're really good. There's also a surf band from North Wales called Y Niwl, which means the fog. It's like cold weather surf music!

Finally, in reference to the song ‘The Very Best of Neil Diamond' off the latest Super Furry Animals album: what is, in your opinion, the very best of Neil Diamond?

I've no interest in Neil Diamond really, I just thought it was a funny title. I find his music a bit intense. The melodies are a bit too sweet – the only song I like by him is that anti dope smoking song from the 60s. [Pot Smoker's Song]

Thank you very much.

Click here to see all London indie
Click here to see all live music in London
Click here for things to do in London

Markspoonfed