Syd Arthur's Joel Magill talks to eFestivals

So far self-produced and recently announced as support for Paul Weller on tour, the Canterbury based Syd Arthur are going from strength to strength. I recently caught up with bass player Joel from the band for a quick five minute chat before they head to this year's Willowman Festival in North Yorkshire, as well as stopping at Hard Rock Calling, Lounge On The Farm, WOMAD, The Green Man Festival, and Shambala this summer.

You are entirely self-produced, how do you think that helps you in the current industry?
It helps in terms of us being in control of our sound and being able to define it so. We love self-producing ourselves, but it its hard work and can sometimes take longer that having perspective of people you trust helping... so we're not adverse to the idea of working with a producer in the future. It also helps with a level of respect within the industry - as you can say that we engineered, produced, mixed and wrote our album entirely ourselves, which feels great!

You've recently announced that you are supporting Paul Weller, how does that feel?
It's definitely exciting. He's a great guy and it's amazing that he digs what we do musically enough to ask us to perform with him. We can't wait to get stuck in.

Who are your musical influences?
Not sure we've got enough time to go into too much detail here... But let's say they are vast. We all listen to a large wealth of music from a wide range of "genres" and styles. We all dislike the pigeon-holing of music into "genres" but for the sake of convenience here we listen to Jazz, World, Rock, Psychedelic, Folk, Pop, Classical, Avant-garde and everything in between - from Miles to Beefheart to Can to the "Canterbury Sound."

Which of today's bands do you listen to?
There's a handful we all really dig - Tame Impala, Grizzly Bear, The Flaming Lips, QOTSA, but I would say that we all listen to a lot of older music. For myself this is where I find myself normally... Whereas I know Raven has his finger more on the pulse with the modern electronica scene...

Which of today's bands do you listen to?
Damien Dempsey, AlascA, a bit of Frank Turner. There's little the kids are doing for me right now, part of the reason I keep doing it I suppose, I need new stuff to enjoy.

Who's in your CD player/on your iPod just now?
In my car I have Rodriguez, the new Flaming Lips, and amazing Soundway Shana sound compilation, My Bloody Valentine and some Zappa and Miles...

Who's in your CD player/on your iPod just now?
The Walkmen.

You're playing Willowman this year, are you looking forward to it?
Very much so! We haven't had many opportunities to venture "North" with the band so it's always a pleasure. When we were in Leeds in February we also met up with Steve from the festival - he seems like a great guy and we're happy to be playing for him.

Are you staying for the weekend or just the day?
Not sure yet... We fly in from New York the day before the show so we will miss the Friday unfortunately, but we always enjoy festivals a lot so we will most likely play it by ear.

Have you spent much time in Yorkshire before?
Not really. Something we must rectify.

What's been the highlight of your career so far?
Performing all over the world to good sized crowds with 2-3 more incredible albums under our sleeves!

Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?
Performing all over the world to good sized crowds with 2-3 more incredible albums under our sleeves!

What can we expect from the rest of this year?
We're working on some new material so hoping to be performing this live. We will also have a series of shows later in the year we are keen to announce soon... Onwards and upwards...

For full tour details for The Wonder Stuff head to www.sydarthur.co.uk/gigs.

Willowman Festival takes place near Thirsk in North Yorkshire over summer solstice weekend (20-23 June 2013). This year's festival promises to be a great one with headline slots by New Model Army, The Wonder Stuff, Space, and The Orb Sound System all set within a festival that offers so much more than just great music.

Early bird tickets are priced at £50 for a full weekend including camping (live in vehicles are £15 per vehicle). Young Persons (aged 12 – 17 years old) weekend ticket is priced at £35. A live in vehicle pass is £15, or £20 for caravans. Children aged under 12 years go free, with car parking and camping also free. Family tickets are also available priced at £160.

To buy tickets to Willowman now, click here.

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