01Profile
A John Myrtle Photo
John Myrtle
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
John Myrtle, originally from Birmingham but now London-based.
Describe your style in three words?
New Age Grandad.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Probably the first gig I went to when I was about nine seeing this session guy called Gregg Wright who’d played with all these huge acts like Fleetwood Mac and Michael Jackson. The venue screwed up the promotion and there were only six people there. He played half the set doing these mad moves like playing with the guitar behind his back and then with his teeth, just generally going completely nuts in basically an empty room. Performance art at its finest.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Probably sandwiched between The Shaggs and Led Zeppelin.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
'90s Liverpool music scene / '70s Jazz / C86 bands / Sarah Records. Also, Birmingham Jazz that I grew up listening to live. I used to see Chris Bowden play almost every weekend. 'Time Capsule' is a masterpiece.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Lee Mavers, he’s still alive but who knows where he is.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
I’d say maybe The Five Bells in New Cross in London. It’s sadly gone or has been bought by a chain, anyway, it’s all changed. The sound there was atrocious but there was many a good gig to be had and I met some good friends by going there.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Margo Guryan. Her name should always be said in the same breath with the other '60s greats. It’s not necessarily that she’s unsung, but like she hasn’t been sung enough. I played her music constantly when I was living in Manchester. A truly unique voice!
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Dedicated Follower of Fashion' by The Kinks. Growing up I had a cassette of The Kinks which I played over and over again. It was one of those cash-in compilations called something like The Collection Part 2 which probably didn't have a Part 1. It did include 'Dedicated Follower of Fashion' and I used to play it all the time.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Elephant Stone' by The Stone Roses. I used to play this constantly in my room as a teenager. There isn’t a more euphoric intro to a song.
One record you would keep forever?
'Waterpistol' by Shack. 'Walter’s Song' is probably my favourite song on there. The production on this whole record is otherworldly. I got to support Mick Head this year, it was a very special night.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I keep looking for a place to fit
Where I can speak my mind
I've been trying hard to find the people
That I won't leave behind
They say I got brains
But they ain't doing me no good
I wish they could
Each time things start to happen again
I think I got something good goin' for myself
but what goes wrong."
From 'I Guess I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times' by The Beach Boys.
A song you wished you had written?
'I Scare Myself' by Dan Hicks. My guitarist Ben showed me this whilst in the car one time and I’ve never stopped playing it since. The mood of this song is so eery.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes' by Kevin Ayers.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Shake a Leg' by Roll Deep.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'I’ll Take You There' by The Staple Singers.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Cool Down the Pace' by Gregory Isaacs.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Omni
Fake Laugh
Katy J Pearson
Folly Group
Boy Azooga - Davey is a wizard.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
John Myrtle, originally from Birmingham but now London-based.
Describe your style in three words?
New Age Grandad.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Probably the first gig I went to when I was about nine seeing this session guy called Gregg Wright who’d played with all these huge acts like Fleetwood Mac and Michael Jackson. The venue screwed up the promotion and there were only six people there. He played half the set doing these mad moves like playing with the guitar behind his back and then with his teeth, just generally going completely nuts in basically an empty room. Performance art at its finest.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Probably sandwiched between The Shaggs and Led Zeppelin.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
'90s Liverpool music scene / '70s Jazz / C86 bands / Sarah Records. Also, Birmingham Jazz that I grew up listening to live. I used to see Chris Bowden play almost every weekend. 'Time Capsule' is a masterpiece.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Lee Mavers, he’s still alive but who knows where he is.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
I’d say maybe The Five Bells in New Cross in London. It’s sadly gone or has been bought by a chain, anyway, it’s all changed. The sound there was atrocious but there was many a good gig to be had and I met some good friends by going there.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Margo Guryan. Her name should always be said in the same breath with the other '60s greats. It’s not necessarily that she’s unsung, but like she hasn’t been sung enough. I played her music constantly when I was living in Manchester. A truly unique voice!
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Dedicated Follower of Fashion' by The Kinks. Growing up I had a cassette of The Kinks which I played over and over again. It was one of those cash-in compilations called something like The Collection Part 2 which probably didn't have a Part 1. It did include 'Dedicated Follower of Fashion' and I used to play it all the time.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Elephant Stone' by The Stone Roses. I used to play this constantly in my room as a teenager. There isn’t a more euphoric intro to a song.
One record you would keep forever?
'Waterpistol' by Shack. 'Walter’s Song' is probably my favourite song on there. The production on this whole record is otherworldly. I got to support Mick Head this year, it was a very special night.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I keep looking for a place to fit
Where I can speak my mind
I've been trying hard to find the people
That I won't leave behind
They say I got brains
But they ain't doing me no good
I wish they could
Each time things start to happen again
I think I got something good goin' for myself
but what goes wrong."
From 'I Guess I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times' by The Beach Boys.
A song you wished you had written?
'I Scare Myself' by Dan Hicks. My guitarist Ben showed me this whilst in the car one time and I’ve never stopped playing it since. The mood of this song is so eery.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes' by Kevin Ayers.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Shake a Leg' by Roll Deep.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'I’ll Take You There' by The Staple Singers.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Cool Down the Pace' by Gregory Isaacs.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Omni
Fake Laugh
Katy J Pearson
Folly Group
Boy Azooga - Davey is a wizard.