Lucky Soul Interview

Lucky Soul is a band name that manages to quite neatly describe their music as well as sound nice when spoken aloud, which is why they're not called Sparkly Sparkly Lovely Shine. On the other hand, the title track on their new EP, Ain't Never Been Cool is, in fact, blatant false advertising. They may seem like they do the same simple what-you-see-is-what-you-get pop as bands like the Pipettes and so on, but it goes a bit deeper. There's no manifesto, but they're not blocking out the last thirty years of music either. It's very hard to say exactly what is going on with this band, so for anyone who wants to know (that means anyone who has heard those songs at the end) this interview with guitarist Andrew Laidlaw might shed some light.

How do Lucky Soul write songs? And how do you define a perfect pop song?
I've usually got the skeleton, then the rest of the band put some meat on the bones of it. We do it very carefully, we're not one of those bands that jam all night, its a fine art.
Brevity I think, is the key to perfect pop and hooks, hooks, hooks. and no clichés.

What was it like recording the album? What are your favourite songs on it?
It was great, a dream come true but it was really intense. I'm only just coming out the haze of it now. Everyone worked really hard because we know how lucky we are to be in this position and we knew what a fine album we had inside us. I think we all like the ones that are slightly newer to us like "It's Yours" and "The Towering Inferno". I think that's because they felt a bit more organic in the studio. Today's favourite for me is "My Darling, Anything" which has beautiful
strings. Changes everyday mind, and last week I hated them all!

What are Lucky Soul fans like?
They really are very varied. People that come to gigs range from young teens to fifty plus. Shy indie kids, uber trendy East London types, fanatical fans from the far east, quiet Europeans,terrace lads, equal amounts of girls and boys. Absolutely all sorts really, which we're very pleased up about because we're not keen on cliques. People seem to like us for the right reasons, we make them feel happy. Job done then eh?

I'll ask the questions. How did it come about that the album will be self-released? How did you make this decision, and what does it mean for you as a band?
We'll, we've always been on our own label so that was never in question. We've been very fortunate that people have seen enough in our band to help us out with both time and cold hard cash. Probably the main difference between us and a big label is that we don't have the money for advertising, we have to rely on good reviews and word of mouth. That's been the case so far, it's a slow snowball really. It does nark me a bit when you see bands that have been thrown together and hyped into the charts, without any songs to back it up with. But that's the evil way of the world I suppose, they don't have the kind of quality control that we've got.

What did you learn about recording over the last months? What advice do you have for people in the same situation?
I learnt that if you get too precious about things, then it'll send you mad. I learnt that it's important to pay massive attention to detail too. I learnt that I've been playing my guitar out of tune all my life (thanks producer). My advice to people is make sure you are as prepared as you can possibly be, then work your ass off. And be ready to be brave and ruthless. And make sure you find a pub with a dog to pat. And hold your tongue (not the dog, you).

What are you getting for Christmas?
I'm hoping for some interesting percussion. last year it was sleigh bells and a glockenspiel. But i'll probably get a piece of coal and a satsuma like most years.

And lastly, what book/album/film do you insist everyone read/hear/see?
Anyone who likes bands should read Powder by Kevin Sampson which is pretty viscous but also very witty and exciting and frighteningly spot on about the music business. Amélie is my favourite film which I watch when require an emotional MOT and it will sort you right out.
and if you haven't heard Coles Corner by Richard Hawley yet then you've just got to let the warmth of it flow over you. To me it feels like you're watching It's A Wonderful Life while you listen. It's one of those perfect things that makes you feel wonderfully sad, like a strong breeze or a candle.

One Kiss Don't Make a Summer (acoustic)
Last Song (acoustic)

Richard Hawley - Coles Corner
It's A Wonderful Life {except in thirty seconds, and with bunnies}

{Buy Lucky Soul's EP}
I should probably point out that from the look of that opening paragraph, I have the same problem describing this band as ever. But I refuse to use a clichéd description! I apologise for the subsequent drop in coherent writing, and thank you for your patience.