Hot Club De Paris Interview

THEY SHOOT HORSES DON'T THEY? IS A 1930S NOVEL ABOUT A DANCE CONTEST. IT'S ALSO A NEW HOT CLUB DE PARIS SONG. WHAT'S THE CONNECTION?!

The song was pretty much written and recorded in 12 hours flat. Matthew and I decided to write something about the first time we met and the first time we met was whilst doing bar work at a racecourse. The sentiment of Robert's statement in the book felt apt when thinking about the dumb fucks who'd go to the races and waste their wages on stagnant Pimms. Plus, shit jobs make you want to be put-down.

ARE THESE DAYS AS CHEAP AS CHEWING GUM?

Unfortunately not. Life seems more simple below the poverty line, however.

WHO IS 'FUCK YOU, THE TRUTH' AIMED AT - ANYONE IN PARTICULAR?

It's aimed at the truth. It's like saying, "The truth is a prick!"

THE UK WEATHER'S BEEN PANTS FOR MONTHS NOW. CAN YOU OFFER SOME REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL?

These last two days have been really quite beautiful. I've been riding my bicycle screaming "SPRING HAS SPRUNG LIKE A MOTHERFUCKER" in floods of tears.



Here is a list of 10 things for you to be cheerful about:



1. Led Zeppelin

2. I'm getting my bike stove-enamelled.

3. Spinach.

4. Guided by Voices' back catalogue.

5. Your older sister's upcoming Valium Fuck Party.

6. People aren't tiring of putting videos of people falling over on YouTube.

7. The ridiculous Garfield graffiti that has turned up on a wall on Wood Street (Liverpool).

8. A game called "Can You Draw Garfield From Memory?"

9. Drawing Garfield from memory.

10. A new Hot Club EP in May.

A WELL LOVED PART OF HOT CLUB IS YOUR THREE PART HARMONIES - HOW HAVE THESE EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS?


We are now able to sing 6 part harmonies with only three voices.

ARE YOU ALL EQUALLY AS GOOD AT HOLDING A NOTE?

Matthew and Al are good singers. I'm less good but hope I make up for it in enthusiasm.

WHICH NEW BANDS HAVE YOU BEEN ENJOYING WHILE YOU WERE BETWEEN RECORDS?

I got really into this new band called The Who.

'WITH DAYS LIKE THIS' IS THE FIRST OF TWO EPS COMING OUT ON MOSHI MOSHI - WAS THE INTENTION TO PLAY AROUND WITH THE TRADITIONAL LP, TOUR, LP, TOUR ROUTINE?

The EP was a result of a number of factors, really. We began to swerve studios and record ourselves because the making of records seemed to be an overly expensive process, often with results that we weren't happy with. When we first started recording ourselves it took a while to figure out how to do it and make it sound good so recording just 6 songs and putting them out seemed far less daunting than attempting to fling a badly-recorded piece of shit straight into the top of the charts. We're now working quicker and quicker now that we're up to speed with recording ourselves, so rock fans can expect a more prolific and experimental Hot Club over the next few years.

DID YOU WATCH THE BRIT AWARDS, AND IF SO - ANY THOUGHTS ON THE WINNERS?

We threw a Brits and brews party with our bros. Now I've had a few days to take it in (and get over the hangover, YOWZER!), I guess the moment that stays with me most is when a visibly angry Cheryl Cole made her feelings following renewed allegations of husband Ashley's unfaithfulness clear during a real centrepiece Brits performance. She took to the stage without her wedding ring, and after her performance, in which she appeared to be miming off-beat, she said: 'Thank you, thank you' as she was cheered.

YOU ARE CURRENTLY ON TOUR. HOW THE BLAZES ARE YOU FINDING THE TIME TO DO THIS?!

We were on tour, and we didn't get time to do it because our tour computer died a death along with our Satellite Navigation System. Sorry about that! It was a great tour though! Super busy and met lots of nice people with nice floors.

WE APPRECIATE YOU DOING IT OF COURSE, THANKYOU.

Thank you! x