Foy Vance is one of the more enigmatic singer songwriters that Northern Ireland has prooduced. He’s shared the stage with everyone from Pete Townshend to The Roots, and he’s one of the biggest talents and musical exports we’ve got today. Ahead of his appearance at the Openhouse festival, Foy gave us an insight into what’s left to say in music, and ‘tea parties’ and ‘crochet’ with Duke Special. (I don’t believe a word of it either...) There's been a huge word of mouth campaign going on in support of your music for some time now, what is it about what you've been doing that gets people talking? I'm not sure I'm the person to ask regarding what makes them talk, but I can tell you that I set up a record label (with my managers) called Wurdamouth Records with that aim in mind. Too often people are force fed by labels via poster campaigns, TV advertising and endless marketing in general. You can almost force some people to like you that way because they get so used to hearing about you that they assume you must be good. Your list of influences includes everyone from Rachmaninov to Captain Beefheart, how important is it for an artist to have a thorough knowledge of the greats? Well, it's important to me, but I don't know about Artists in general. The further you go back the more truth you seem to find in music which is as fascinating as it is frightening. It's good to know where you stand though; what's been said and what's left to say. Trouble with listening to the great artists is that you soon realise it has all more or less been said, so you end up feeling like you're just repackaging old ideas. Has getting you music on to the Grey's Anatomy soundtrack had an affect on your profile in the US? Yes and no. It's made some people in America aware of my music but it's such a huge place that it doesn't really feel like much. I do alright in places like New York and Nashville but outside of that I'm starting from just above scratch. I suppose that counts. Is there a second album in the pipeline? Second and third. I'm working on a record with David Holmes, which I suppose you might describe as a sort of sonic folk affair...although that doesn't even make sense of it. The other album is a straight ahead soul record with The Roots. As to which one will end up being the second release? We'll just have to wait and see... I’ve heard stories about you and a certain Duke Special running around causing chaos in the hotel after the Do You Remember The First Time in the Ulsterhall, is life in music as fun as it looks? We have so many tea parties that you wouldn't believe it. We bake scones, soda farls, taddie farls, make jam... and on the night in question I think Duke, myself and some others actually crocheted a map of Ireland. We're all living the dream baby! Foy Vance appears as part of the Openhouse festival on Thursday 24 September at the Main Stage, Custom House Squar. Doors 8pm, tickets £14. But with the Big List you could be getting in totally free! We have 2 tickets to give away for the event, and all you have to do is answer the following question that is so easy you'd know it if it slapped you in the face.
Which member of The Who has Foy shared a stage with?
We need you answers by the 18th of September, so send them to win@thebiglist.co.uk with Foy Vance Competition in the subject along with your name, address and phone number, and you'll be going free! Over 18s only, and prize not transferable.
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