Talc Interview

Talc
Cosmicdisco would like to give a big welcome to Talc, who’s track ‘Modern Sleepover’ has been getting serious rotation from the Cosmic Disco crew for the last 12 months. Talc have also kindly provided us with a mix which will be aired live on the 27th November ‘Makin Music’ show on Unity Radio when the following day we will be going to see them perform live at The Roadhouse, Manchester.

cosmicdisco: So then, who are Talc?

We’re Dr. Fun and The Gift, aka James Knight and Nichol Thomson. Just don’t tell anyone.

cosmicdisco: What were you doing before getting together as Talc?

We’re both horn players for our day-jobs, so recording and touring with all kinds of people from Scissor Sisters to Incognito and lots inbetween.

cosmicdisco: Influences please.

Steely Dan, Ian Dury, ELO, Beck, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, Buddy Miles, Brian Wilson, the list goes on…

cosmicdisco: What are your earliest musical memories?

Dr Fun: Imaging a set of playing cards dancing around on a castle whilst being left in front of my Dad’s Hi-Fi with the Shadows playing!

The Gift: Crying in the back of the car when the Carpenters Album “Now and Then�? finshed until my parents put it back on again!

cosmicdisco: You’re signed to Wah Wah 45’s, who have released some of our favourite tracks of the last 12 months. How did you get involved with them?

We were put onto them by a mutual friend and they were mad enough to put some stuff out!

cosmicdisco: Anyone particular on Wah Wah 45’s doing it for you at the minute?

Definitely the Coleman Brothers track and Scrimshire. Dead good.

cosmicdisco: Mmmm, the lyrical content of your tracks, different to say the least. Don’t worry, we really dig it! Explanation please…

To be honest, which of course we are, the vast majority of the songs are based on real events, conversations or observations, “Kings of the Road�? came about because you can cycle drunk and it’s fun. It’s also big and clever as well…until you smash your collar bone in half *ahem*. We think that it’s in the tradition of British lyric writing, it doesn’t have to be “oh baby, you’re so nice.�? We’re just trying to tell the truth as we see it, admittedly that is really twisted.

cosmicdisco: Your album, ‘Sit Down, Think’ just hit the stores after 3 years in the making. Can you give us a brief insight into any particular highs or lows of making the album?

It started off as a bit of fun, a release from all the other things we we’re doing and we were never going to put it out and it just kind of snowballed really. We can honestly say we only had a good time making this record, I think that might come across!

cosmicdisco: So, straight into the ‘Difficult’ 2nd album then?

We’ve already started it. There were about 6 tracks that didn’t make it onto this album that will possibly get an airing at some-point. Currently we’re working on “Modern Sleep Over-Part 2�?. You heard it here first!

cosmicdisco: You’re currently touring ‘Sit Down, Think’? Dates please…

11.24.06 The Departure Lounge, Edinburgh/11.25.06 Dance Club, The Hold, Under the Admiral Bar/11.28.06 The Roadhouse, Manchester/11.30.06 5Aid@The Bedford, Balham

cosmicdisco: How have the live shows been going?

In a word, great! We’re lucky enough to have some of our favorite musicians working with us live and it’s been great fun and packed out as well, although sometimes it’s hard to fit the whole band on the stage.

cosmicdisco: We are all heading down to the Manchester gig on 28/11/06. What can we expect?

Hats, most of the album live, a guest horn section and Bobby Fame talking a lot.

cosmicdisco: You’re in a deep, deep sleep. You’re dreaming you are part of the best ‘Super-Group’ of all time. Who’s in the band, playing what?

Karen Carpenter on drums, Carol Kaye on Bass, Sly Stone on guitar with Ike Turner on rhythm guitar, Mozart on Clavinet. Also featuring the Count Basie Orchestra horns. We have very weird dreams….and don’t sleep too well.

cosmicdisco: What tracks are getting heavy rotation on your transistor radio at the moment?

All of Grandaddy’s stuff, Sufjan Stephens, Beck, bit of Joni Mitchell, a touch of the Blockheads.

cosmicdisco: Can you tell us any more about the Man/Boy featuring Girl production you were involved in?

That was a thing we produced for a Japanese deal that never happened. It featured Oldham lass done good, Louise Marshall as girl and a ton of other guests. There’s four tracks in existence so if you know anyone who wants to put out some genuine 70’s dance-get in touch!

cosmicdisco: Word on the street is that your favourite car is the Datsun ‘Z’ series? What’s your favourite model & why? ps. FYI Our favourite cars are the Ford Capri MkI and Citroen DS ;D

I own a 1974 260Z. It’s the nicest car in the world. I got banned for three years, two months after buying it. I am a total twat. Nice choices yourself there though!

cosmicdisco: You’re obviously influenced by all things 1970’s. Favourite 70’s TV series and film please.

70’s film would be Network-brilliant film, T.V. series Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings. Not really, that would be Banacek.

cosmicdisco: Other than Talc (Obviously!), who should we be listening to in 2006/07?

Ben Castle or John Mayer or Beck (Again!) and lots of old 70’s records that no-one has discovered yet.

cosmicdisco: What’s your idea of perfect happiness?

Huge sit down with a large pie and 12hours of Homes Under The Hammer.

cosmicdisco: If you weren’t involved in music, what would you most likely be doing?

Drinking and losing. No idea! No, probably drinking and losing.

cosmicdisco: What’s next for Talc?

New tracks are being put together and I would think some more live shows next year, the usual really. This year has been great fun, so I think we’ll try not to take it too seriously or it’ll wreck it! oh and we’re doing a guest vocal on a Nu:Tone track on Hospital Records…Talc drum and bass! Come on!

Cosmic Disco would like to Dr. Fun and The Gift for their time answering our questions. Be sure to check out The LP ‘Sit Down, Think’. OUT NOW!

With ‘Modern Sleepover Part 2′ on the horizon there is only good things in store for Talc…

LINKS

Talc Online

Talc’s MySpace Page

Kudos Records