Milburn

Musician — Sheffield

01Profile

A Milburn Photo

03Interview

Name?
Joe Carnall

Where are you from?
Sheffield

What do you do?
Lead Singer and Bass Guitarist of Milburn.

Describe your style in three words?
No Big Patterns.

If you could make a record with anyone from history?
There's so many choices here but I'm going for one of the all-time greats in David Bowie. Like no other, Bowie had that chameleon ability which enabled his music to constantly stay relevant over 50 years. Even in the afterlife he managed to surprise people.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to and why?
The most excited I've ever been at a gig was when the Libertines played the Sheffield Leadmill in 2003. I was only 16 and feared that I'd not even make it past the bouncers. At the time they represented and defined my generation of guitar music, so it was a real 'I was there' moment. The atmosphere was electric.

What British music icons inspire your sound today?
The Coral have been a huge inspiration in the past as they introduced us to more psychedelic sounds of artists such as Captain Beefheart and The Electric Prunes.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'm fascinated by the period between the first and second world wars as democracy, fascism and communism all sought to become the dominant ideology in so many European countries. It was at this point that George Orwell began making his observations. I'd love to pick his brains.

Which British subculture means the most to you?
I have a lot of respect for the Ska/Two-Tone era. In the early days of Milburn we acquired a 'best of ska' record which we played all the time and the odd skank even made it into some of our early tunes. More importantly, Two-Tone came to represent multiculturalism and working class creativity in Thatcher's Britain.

If you could share the bill with any British band in history?
Thin Lizzy because it would make our dad's so happy. They were a band that we all grew up listening to.

What music did you listen to growing up?
Mainly our parent's music collections: Thin Lizzy, The Stranglers, Talking Heads, The Beatles, Prince.

04Playlist Notes

What was the first song you played on repeat?
'Baby Come Back' by Pato Banton.

One record you would keep forever?
Bill Withers - Live at Carnegie Hall. Track - Grandma's Hands (including live intro).

A song from your favourite album?
'Is This It' by The Strokes from 'Is This It'.

A song you wish you had written?
'Into My Arms' by Nick Cave.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Red Morning Light' by Kings of Leon.

What was the last piece of music you bought?
'White Blood Cells' by White Stripes (on vinyl).

A song lyric that inspires you?
"I hate them all, I hate them all
I hate myself, for hating them
So drink some more, I'll love them all
I'll drink even more, I'll hate them even more than I did before"

'On The Other Side' by The Strokes.

Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
'One Dance' by Drake.

Best love song of all time?
'Till There Was You' by The Beatles.
(There are about 4 McCartney songs I could've picked.)

Best song to turn up loud?
'Go With The Flow' by Queens Of The Stone Age.

Best song to bring people together?
'Don't Look Back In Anger' by Oasis.

4 songs you can’t stop listening to right now?

'I Wanna Prove To You' by Lemon Twigs
I initially discounted this band because, in total honesty, I thought they looked like they cared more about their haircuts than their tunes. This is a White Album-esque cracker though.

'Daniel' by Bill Ryder-Jones
We made our third record with Bill. He's an amazing talent. The whole album is great but this tune is so touching and beautifully written.

'All The Time' by Bahamas
This has been my favourite song for about 3 years now. I think the songwriting and production on the whole album are incredible.

'Me and Your Mamma' by Childish Gambino 
Something a bit different for your average indie head to listen to. Got a proper Funkadelic/Sly/Parliament feel to this yet still remains contemporary.

03Interview

Name?
Joe Carnall

Where are you from?
Sheffield

What do you do?
Lead Singer and Bass Guitarist of Milburn.

Describe your style in three words?
No Big Patterns.

If you could make a record with anyone from history?
There's so many choices here but I'm going for one of the all-time greats in David Bowie. Like no other, Bowie had that chameleon ability which enabled his music to constantly stay relevant over 50 years. Even in the afterlife he managed to surprise people.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to and why?
The most excited I've ever been at a gig was when the Libertines played the Sheffield Leadmill in 2003. I was only 16 and feared that I'd not even make it past the bouncers. At the time they represented and defined my generation of guitar music, so it was a real 'I was there' moment. The atmosphere was electric.

What British music icons inspire your sound today?
The Coral have been a huge inspiration in the past as they introduced us to more psychedelic sounds of artists such as Captain Beefheart and The Electric Prunes.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'm fascinated by the period between the first and second world wars as democracy, fascism and communism all sought to become the dominant ideology in so many European countries. It was at this point that George Orwell began making his observations. I'd love to pick his brains.

Which British subculture means the most to you?
I have a lot of respect for the Ska/Two-Tone era. In the early days of Milburn we acquired a 'best of ska' record which we played all the time and the odd skank even made it into some of our early tunes. More importantly, Two-Tone came to represent multiculturalism and working class creativity in Thatcher's Britain.

If you could share the bill with any British band in history?
Thin Lizzy because it would make our dad's so happy. They were a band that we all grew up listening to.

What music did you listen to growing up?
Mainly our parent's music collections: Thin Lizzy, The Stranglers, Talking Heads, The Beatles, Prince.

04Playlist Notes

What was the first song you played on repeat?
'Baby Come Back' by Pato Banton.

One record you would keep forever?
Bill Withers - Live at Carnegie Hall. Track - Grandma's Hands (including live intro).

A song from your favourite album?
'Is This It' by The Strokes from 'Is This It'.

A song you wish you had written?
'Into My Arms' by Nick Cave.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Red Morning Light' by Kings of Leon.

What was the last piece of music you bought?
'White Blood Cells' by White Stripes (on vinyl).

A song lyric that inspires you?
"I hate them all, I hate them all
I hate myself, for hating them
So drink some more, I'll love them all
I'll drink even more, I'll hate them even more than I did before"

'On The Other Side' by The Strokes.

Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
'One Dance' by Drake.

Best love song of all time?
'Till There Was You' by The Beatles.
(There are about 4 McCartney songs I could've picked.)

Best song to turn up loud?
'Go With The Flow' by Queens Of The Stone Age.

Best song to bring people together?
'Don't Look Back In Anger' by Oasis.

4 songs you can’t stop listening to right now?

'I Wanna Prove To You' by Lemon Twigs
I initially discounted this band because, in total honesty, I thought they looked like they cared more about their haircuts than their tunes. This is a White Album-esque cracker though.

'Daniel' by Bill Ryder-Jones
We made our third record with Bill. He's an amazing talent. The whole album is great but this tune is so touching and beautifully written.

'All The Time' by Bahamas
This has been my favourite song for about 3 years now. I think the songwriting and production on the whole album are incredible.

'Me and Your Mamma' by Childish Gambino 
Something a bit different for your average indie head to listen to. Got a proper Funkadelic/Sly/Parliament feel to this yet still remains contemporary.

 

05Videos

Milburn | Take Me Home (2017)

Milburn | Send In The Boys (2006)

Milburn | Send In The Boys (2007)