Once again it’s been quite a year for beloved Scottish neo wave-outfit THE TWILIGHT SAD. Despite the release of their yet again great and award-winning fourth record Nobody Wants To Be Here And Nobody Wants To Leave, they also toured the states in good company of their fellow Scotsmen from WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS. But although these gentlemen have been rather busy they’ve found the time to take part in one of our infamous CONFRONTING interviews. Topic: happy music. Okay, we have been more innovative in earlier editions but it’s been simply too tempting, confronting this miserable bunch with a little bit of silliness. Guess you could say: ‘Where are our manners?’ But as it turned out, namely singer James Graham has a fine sense of humour as well as a weakness for ABBA and Despicable Me. Here you go:
01. Frankie Goes To Hollywood – ‘Relax’
Your initial thoughts?
Fuckin’ hell, the 80’s were mental!
Any connection between you and the song/video?
I don’t really have a strong connection to the song. I just remember it being a song that I’ve known for ages and seeing it on Top of The Pops 2 (a UK TV programme) loads of times.
Your opinion on the track and artist in general?
It’s a brilliant song. I mean, I don’t go around listening to it everyday or when I’m walking down the street. Maybe I should. If I was on a night out or a birthday party, or some sort of social gathering and this came on I’d probably drunkenly stumble onto the dance floor and pull some shapes but I would ultimately regret said shapes in the morning while also realising I’m a fanny when I’m drunk.
Anything else that comes to your mind?
My image on our next album = leather, spandex, moustache. Also: Relax.
02. Pharrell Williams – ‘Happy’
Your initial thoughts?
I know when I’m really happy I also like to creep about dark alleyways and wear a stupid hat.
Any connection between you and the song/video?
I know I’m probably not doing my moody bastard persona any good here but I know that this song is from the Despicable Me films which I actually really like.
Your opinion on the track and artist in general?
I like PHARELL, he seems like a nice guy. I liked the N.E.R.D stuff when I was younger. I think this song fits well in the film but I can’t really be arsed with it apart from that. I’m a miserable bastard and the song’s called Happy, we were never going to see eye to eye on this one. Plus, I can’t get away from it, every time I turn on the TV or I’m in the supermarket this song comes on. It’s doing my nut in.
03. Daft Punk – ‘Get Lucky’
Your initial thoughts?
Freak Out!
Any connection between you and the song/video?
I think I’m pretty much like everyone else with this song. I’ve heard it about one million times.
Your opinion on the track and artist in general?
I actually like this song and understand why its so popular. I like DAFT PUNK, I like NILE RODGERS, PHARELL still seems like a nice guy even though he’s got that stupid hat.
Basically anything else that comes to your mind?
I’d like to see PHARELL’s PRS statements this year. [for our German readers: PRS is the British equivalent to the infamous GEMA]
04. Fatboy Slim – ‘Weapon of Choice’
Your initial thoughts?
I do a pretty good Christopher Walken impression, well I did once on our last tour. Ask Johnny in our band, he’ll back that up. I like the Walken line from Dogs of War: ‘In my jungle, you’re just another asshole.’
Any connection between you and the song/video?
None at all apart from that I really like Christopher Walken. I wish I could dance as well as him. That’s all.
Your opinion on the track and artist in general?
Not a big FATBOY SLIM fan – I don’t like or dislike him. It’s a good idea for a video, actually all his videos are pretty good.
Anything else that comes to your mind?
The Deerhunter is a really good film.
05. Queen – ‘I Want To Break Free’
Your initial thoughts?
I’m pretty good at vacuuming. Out of all household chores I’d say I’m probably best at vacuuming.
Any connection between you and the song/video?
A guy that was in my class at school called ‘Shug’ was a massive QUEEN fan. He used to always talk about them in our music class at high school.
Your opinion on the track and artist in general?
I appreciate what QUEEN do. I wasn’t old enough to really like them when they were at the height of their fame. I’ve always been more of an ABBA fan. I love ABBA. Not that they are the same kind of band, they were around at the same time though, eh? I was too young at the time to remember. QUEEN definitely wrote some pretty amazing pop songs and pushed the boundaries of pop. It’s a shame that Brian May and the drummer continue to tarnish what they did by getting shite people to sing their songs since Freddie passed away.
Basically anything else that comes to your mind?
My image on our next album = leather, spandex, moustache. And again: The 80’s were mental.
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