What’s it like being a member of the Bijoux Toots?
It’s like a family; very supportive with lots of laughs, but a bit of niggling too
What is your favourite song to perform?
Times Like These – it makes me quite teary eyed every time we play it as it might have been the point at which I thought “yeah, when we get it right we really get it right”
Which musicians are you inspired by?
The Ukulele Orchestra of GB in terms of arrangements, Tom Waits for storytelling, kd lang for vocal prowess, and anything with a lot of vocal harmony
What is your dream gig to play?
hmm… I’d love to play at a really big festival like Glastonbury, but I enjoy almost all of the gigs we do.
First album you bought?
I left home and moved to Hamburg in the late 80’s and was force fed the worst kind of europop on a daily basis. My response to that was to buy Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks and listen to it as often as I possibly could!
Favourite album cover?
Kate Bush, The Kick Inside, because my dad was involved with the production of that artwork when he worked for EMI.
What’s it like being a member of the Bijoux Toots?
Rewarding, busy, social and fun
What is your favourite song to perform?
Currently it is Fishermans Blues but it changes frequently as there are many favourites, others include The Weight, Knockin, SOS and One Day Like This.
Which musicians are you inspired by?
The list will be different every day but some of the constant names would include; Nick Cave, David Bowie, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Elvis Presley, Nintin Sawhney, Stan Getz, Jose Feliciano, and Edwyn Collins. Bands would include Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Velvet Underground, Talking Heads, Black Grape, Stevie Wonder, Grinderman and many, many more…
What is your dream gig to play?
In a busy pub, festival or party – basically somewhere with an atmosphere, alcohol and an appreciative audience. All the better if it is close to home.
First album you bought?
Hunk Dory – Bowie
Favourite album cover?
This is a really difficult question as I feel so passionate about the packaging of album artwork and in particular Vinyl Artwork. My favourite artists responsible for some of the most iconic album artwork include Storm Thorgerson (Pink Floyd – Dark Side of The Moon/Meddle/Animals, Led Zeppelin – Houses of The Holy/Prescence/The Song Remains The Same ) and Peter Blake (Beatles Sgt Peppers, Paul Weller – Stanley Road). A more contemporary example of cover artwork and packaging that I really enjoy are those of Nick Cave.
