Idlewild

Musician — Scotland

01Profile

A Idlewild Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Roddy Woomble. I’m from Scotland. I live in the Hebrides.

Describe your style in three words?
Worn-out literary casual

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Deus at the Edinburgh Venue 1994. A teenage submersion into noisy art-rock in a dingy, magical rock club.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Dylan & The Band, Leonard Cohen - both acts played Isle of Wight Festival in 1970, so maybe I’d just join the bill, at the bottom.

Which Subcultures have influenced you?
'50s Beat Poets, '60s French New Wave, late '80s US punk rock. The aesthetic, the music, the ideas, the attitude. Visionary and inspiring.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Maybe William Blake - I think he would be excellent & confusing company.

Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Glasgow Barrowlands, for atmosphere. Radio City Music Hall, New York, for sense of occasion.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Michael Hurley - truly wonderful, charming, surreal songs & delivery.


Idlewild's eighth studio album 'Interview Music' is out now garnering acclaim from critics, drawing on what the band have described as a renewed sense of purpose. The Edinburgh band broke onto the scene over twenty years ago in 1997-98, championed by the like of Steve Lamacq, with songs such as 'Self Healer' and 'When I Argue I See Shapes'.

Idlewild will support the album release with a UK tour this spring. Find out more at idlewild.co.uk

 

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
The Smiths - 'What Difference Does it Make?'
Lyrically and musically so sophisticated and original. The Smiths were my favourite band growing up.

A song that defines the teenage you?
Pavement - 'Gold Soundz'
In the '90s Pavement's surrealist lyrics, nonchalant riffs and attitude were a big inspiration.

One record you would keep forever?
Bob Dylan - 'Forever Young'
It’s just such a wonderful song and sentiment - it should be sang at schools across the world.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
Beck - 'Loser'
Like Pavement, full of clever and creative wordplay, with a great tune and very original delivery. Around this time Beck was just the best.

A song you wished you had written?
Skeeter Davis - 'The End of The World'
Tragic and euphoric in equal measures.

Best song to turn up loud?
Fugazi - 'Waiting Room'
The best rock band I’ve ever seen. This tune is a punk rock classic.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Maybe 'Surrey With a Fringe On Top' from 'Oklahoma'.
I’m not into musicals that much, but some of the songs are timeless, and good for karaoke.

The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Anything by ABBA - maybe ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’ - Nordic melancholy with a disco beat. Excellent.

Best song to end an all-nighter?
William Tyler - 'The Great Unwind'
Meditative Americana - perfect for this time of night/day.

Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Shame, Julia Jacklin, The Comet is Coming.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Roddy Woomble. I’m from Scotland. I live in the Hebrides.

Describe your style in three words?
Worn-out literary casual

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Deus at the Edinburgh Venue 1994. A teenage submersion into noisy art-rock in a dingy, magical rock club.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Dylan & The Band, Leonard Cohen - both acts played Isle of Wight Festival in 1970, so maybe I’d just join the bill, at the bottom.

Which Subcultures have influenced you?
'50s Beat Poets, '60s French New Wave, late '80s US punk rock. The aesthetic, the music, the ideas, the attitude. Visionary and inspiring.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Maybe William Blake - I think he would be excellent & confusing company.

Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Glasgow Barrowlands, for atmosphere. Radio City Music Hall, New York, for sense of occasion.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Michael Hurley - truly wonderful, charming, surreal songs & delivery.


Idlewild's eighth studio album 'Interview Music' is out now garnering acclaim from critics, drawing on what the band have described as a renewed sense of purpose. The Edinburgh band broke onto the scene over twenty years ago in 1997-98, championed by the like of Steve Lamacq, with songs such as 'Self Healer' and 'When I Argue I See Shapes'.

Idlewild will support the album release with a UK tour this spring. Find out more at idlewild.co.uk

 

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
The Smiths - 'What Difference Does it Make?'
Lyrically and musically so sophisticated and original. The Smiths were my favourite band growing up.

A song that defines the teenage you?
Pavement - 'Gold Soundz'
In the '90s Pavement's surrealist lyrics, nonchalant riffs and attitude were a big inspiration.

One record you would keep forever?
Bob Dylan - 'Forever Young'
It’s just such a wonderful song and sentiment - it should be sang at schools across the world.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
Beck - 'Loser'
Like Pavement, full of clever and creative wordplay, with a great tune and very original delivery. Around this time Beck was just the best.

A song you wished you had written?
Skeeter Davis - 'The End of The World'
Tragic and euphoric in equal measures.

Best song to turn up loud?
Fugazi - 'Waiting Room'
The best rock band I’ve ever seen. This tune is a punk rock classic.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Maybe 'Surrey With a Fringe On Top' from 'Oklahoma'.
I’m not into musicals that much, but some of the songs are timeless, and good for karaoke.

The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Anything by ABBA - maybe ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’ - Nordic melancholy with a disco beat. Excellent.

Best song to end an all-nighter?
William Tyler - 'The Great Unwind'
Meditative Americana - perfect for this time of night/day.

Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Shame, Julia Jacklin, The Comet is Coming.

 

05Videos

Idlewild - Dream Variations

Idlewild - Same Things Twice