Posted at 4:30 PM, 18 May 2009 - 0 Comments
- Next week, Vagabond will be traveling to the US to shoot the video for their next single. Paul Minor will be the video director once again.
- Vagabond have done an acoustic performance of "Don't Wanna Run No More", exclusively for Facebook users. Click here to watch.
- In an interview with Wessex Scene, Alex Vargas revealed what Vagabond have been listening to: «Sly and the Family Stones, which is on here at the minute, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Fleetwood Mac, Smokey Robinson… the bus has a very Motown feel!».
He talks about the group's sound: «We’re very influenced by soul, and I think people pick up on that because our songs are so melody driven - that’s the first step in the song writing process as well, and that’s the important bit that has to be nailed before everything else can follow.
«I’m very inspired by singers like Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, and Paul Roberts. (...) When some people heard ‘Sweat Until the Morning’ they compared us to Simply Red which I don’t really agree with - just because its Simply Red really - but its fine! When they compare me to Stevie Winwood I’m incredibly flattered because I love him, but that’s just vanity!»
- Vagabond's Luke Fitton told The Jitty that Xenomania «like to get the best out of you as producers»: «Brian [Higgins] is so driven and likes to try new ideas. He makes you re-learn what’s worth playing in some ways which is good, he had me trying all sorts of different things out, it’s good to get out of your comfort zone from time to time!»
Alex Vargas explains Vagabond's writing process:
«They tend to be done traditionally, you know, guitars and vocals sit down, you find your pace, but, then there’s a much more, a way that I’ve learnt that is much more productive, you lay down a backing track. You get a track ready, you blast it out of speakers, you have a Dictaphone, and I’ll sing over that, trying out different ideas. Looking for varying melodies. It could literally just be a 4 bar drum loop (...) and after that you go back and listen to the melodies again and pick out the best ones. (...) It was quite intimidating when I first did it, it’s a really interesting, really productive way of writing. And the results, well’ we’re really happy with it. Definitely be doing it again!»
Stephen Carter added: «Xenomania is kind of about "stepping outside" and looking at things in different ways, and encouraging you to be creative in every way, as opposed to just maybe sitting at a piano, which may well work for others. Some of our songs will have like five or six different versions, different chord progressions, before settling on the final version.»
- Alex Vargas has put together a mixtape for The Last Broadcast:
Song To Nurse A Hangover: Air - 'La Femme d’Argent'
Song For Getting Ready To Go Out: Lauryn Hill - 'Doo Wop (That Thing)'
Song To Have Played At Your Funeral: Bob Marley - 'Jammin''
Song To Go To Sleep To: Mr Scruff - 'Jazz Potato'
Song To Help Get Through Winter - Patrice: 'Everyday Good'
Song For A Summer Day: Will Smith - 'Summertime'
Song To Wake Up To: Lemon Jelly - 'Space Walk'
Song To Die To: Finley Quaye - 'Even After All'
Song To Sing In The Shower: Marvin Gaye - 'What's Going On'
Song To Quit Your Job To: Jay-Z - 'Dirt Off Your Shoulder'
Song To Fall In Love To: Chairmen Of The Board - 'Give Me Just a Little More Time'
Song To Lose Your Virginity To: Kings Of Leon - 'Sex On Fire'
Song To Get You On The Dancefloor: Jackson 5 - 'I Want You Back'
Song For A Road Trip: Arrested Development - 'Mama's Always On Stage'
