Richard James in interview

Hi Richard, what are you up to today?

Today I'm planning, plotting and writing future music related activity.

Do you mind if I say that Gorkys were one of the best bands in the universe ever?

A lot of people were and are fond of the band, we were open minded in our approach and not too careerist, and that together with musical talent and having a songwriter of the calibre of Euros made our output quite timeless I think, and hopefully people will keep on enjoying the band and discovering the music like we did when we were younger and discovering music from earlier periods.

Your new solo record 'We Went Riding' features Euros Childs and Cate Le Bon, amongst others. How did you you get everyone together?

I've known Euros for years obviously, and got to know Cate around 2004, and they together with a lot of other musicians I asked to play on the record kindly obliged to help create what it is.

There's a kind of supernatural element to some songs on the album - such as the end of 'Aveline' when the pianos go spooky. Do you believe in ghosts?

I don't believe in anything I haven't experienced or witnessed, so no, although I keep an open mind.

'We Went Riding' sounds like a continuation of the atmosphere on your last album 'Seven Sleeper's Den' rather than a rebellion against it, as some artists tend to do with their transition between records. Is that fair to say?

Yeah, I've definitely always seen them as almost a part one and two, in the way Iwan(who produced it) and I approached them. This was meant to come out in 2008 as we recorded it in 2007 so the albums are closer in time than the release dates suggest.

Are there any new bands in Wales you've got your eye on?

Y Morgrug from north wales are young and promising and have already written some great stuff, and I've enjoyed surf band Y Niwl tremendously since they formed and started gigging. I'm also looking forward to The Gentle Good's (Gareth Bonello) new album.

We've only just started getting promos from your record label Gwymon - could you tell us a bit about them?

Gwymon are a subsiduary of welsh record label Sain, who've been around for years, since the late 60's, and Guto Brychan, who's in charge of Gwymon, sees it as an outlet for more alternative music in Wales.

Finally (and please forgive me but I've got to ask) will there ever be a Gorkys reunion?

No, the band had its time, and it's best to celebrate that than wonder if we'll ever get back together, although I don't speak for everyone, but we're still making music.

We Went Riding is out now