Terry Hall

Singer/Songwriter — Coventry

01Profile

A Terry Hall Photo

03Interview

Name, Where are you from?
My name is Terry Hall... I'm 57 yrs old... I have green eyes and I was born in Coventry.

What do you do?
I sing in a band called The Specials and I write songs... I also dabble in painting. 

Describe your style in three words?
Drab and functional. 

How should your music be listened to?
My band records (The Specials & Fun Boy Three) should be played loud with gay abandon and my solo / personal records need to be listened to with a healthy dose of melancholy & self pity.

What do you miss about home when you’re on tour?
I miss my family and friends... I don't miss housework and daily trips to Sainsbury’s Local.

What British music icons inspire your sound today?
Although not obviously connected musically, I still draw inspiration from artists like Roxy Music and David Bowie and The Clash... It's still all about a certain attitude for me.

What was the first song you played on repeat?
It was an album... Pin-Ups by David Bowie... I was 14 and totally obsessed. 

Track from your favourite Album?
Favourite album at the mo is 'Blank Generation' by Richard Hell and The Voidoids... And fave track would be... 'Blank Generation’.

Song you wish you had written?
Would be ‘If You Go Away' by Scott Walker...

What was your favourite moment at Dot to Dot?
Dot to Dot was a lot of fun... Beautiful sunny day wandering around Nottingham... So many acts to see… Lots of great venues and a very relaxed atmosphere…

What did you discover over the weekend? Best musical discovery?
Really liked Puma Rosa... Vocalist felt like she had a good collection of Jefferson Airplane records... She also waved a stick at one point which sealed it for me. 

04Playlist Notes

David Bowie
Pin-Ups by David Bowie... was the first record I played on repeat... I was 14 and totally obsessed.

Richard Hell and The Voidoids
Favourite album at the mo is 'Blank Generation’ by Richard Hell and The Voidoids..
And fave track would be... 'Blank Generation’.

Scott Walker
Song I wish I'd written would be 'if you go away' by Scott Walker...

Sway Clarke
Voice shines out. Hints of Outkast - but with own direction. Stand out tracks are 'I don't need much' and 'Bad Love’. Cliched but always true. Judge an artist stripped bare with only an acoustic guitar and a voice. Sway Clarke passes the test..

Pumarosa
Really liked performance at Dot to Dot. Vocalist felt like she had a good collection of Jefferson Airplane records... She also waved a stick at one point which sealed it for me.

Starling
Signed to the Communion record label... Starling is a singer/songwriter well worth checking out... She started out playing Joni Mitchell covers and now has developed as a strong writer... Looks and sounds great!

Georgie
From Dot to Dot 2016, personally think that Georgie has the best chance to turn the tricky corner and go on to make and sell records. Shades of Americana... Very confident songs...

Pixx
Strong songwriting and echoes of the Cocteau Twins... from the 4AD newcomer. Check out YouTube vid of ‘Fall In'. Voice sounds vulnerable but assured... Really promising artist.

03Interview

Name, Where are you from?
My name is Terry Hall... I'm 57 yrs old... I have green eyes and I was born in Coventry.

What do you do?
I sing in a band called The Specials and I write songs... I also dabble in painting. 

Describe your style in three words?
Drab and functional. 

How should your music be listened to?
My band records (The Specials & Fun Boy Three) should be played loud with gay abandon and my solo / personal records need to be listened to with a healthy dose of melancholy & self pity.

What do you miss about home when you’re on tour?
I miss my family and friends... I don't miss housework and daily trips to Sainsbury’s Local.

What British music icons inspire your sound today?
Although not obviously connected musically, I still draw inspiration from artists like Roxy Music and David Bowie and The Clash... It's still all about a certain attitude for me.

What was the first song you played on repeat?
It was an album... Pin-Ups by David Bowie... I was 14 and totally obsessed. 

Track from your favourite Album?
Favourite album at the mo is 'Blank Generation' by Richard Hell and The Voidoids... And fave track would be... 'Blank Generation’.

Song you wish you had written?
Would be ‘If You Go Away' by Scott Walker...

What was your favourite moment at Dot to Dot?
Dot to Dot was a lot of fun... Beautiful sunny day wandering around Nottingham... So many acts to see… Lots of great venues and a very relaxed atmosphere…

What did you discover over the weekend? Best musical discovery?
Really liked Puma Rosa... Vocalist felt like she had a good collection of Jefferson Airplane records... She also waved a stick at one point which sealed it for me. 

04Playlist Notes

David Bowie
Pin-Ups by David Bowie... was the first record I played on repeat... I was 14 and totally obsessed.

Richard Hell and The Voidoids
Favourite album at the mo is 'Blank Generation’ by Richard Hell and The Voidoids..
And fave track would be... 'Blank Generation’.

Scott Walker
Song I wish I'd written would be 'if you go away' by Scott Walker...

Sway Clarke
Voice shines out. Hints of Outkast - but with own direction. Stand out tracks are 'I don't need much' and 'Bad Love’. Cliched but always true. Judge an artist stripped bare with only an acoustic guitar and a voice. Sway Clarke passes the test..

Pumarosa
Really liked performance at Dot to Dot. Vocalist felt like she had a good collection of Jefferson Airplane records... She also waved a stick at one point which sealed it for me.

Starling
Signed to the Communion record label... Starling is a singer/songwriter well worth checking out... She started out playing Joni Mitchell covers and now has developed as a strong writer... Looks and sounds great!

Georgie
From Dot to Dot 2016, personally think that Georgie has the best chance to turn the tricky corner and go on to make and sell records. Shades of Americana... Very confident songs...

Pixx
Strong songwriting and echoes of the Cocteau Twins... from the 4AD newcomer. Check out YouTube vid of ‘Fall In'. Voice sounds vulnerable but assured... Really promising artist.

 

05Videos

Terry Hall and Tim Burgess

Terry Hall and Friends - 'Sorrow'