20: 20 VISION (AKA ADRIAN LOMAS) GETS ALL EXCITED ABOUT MUSIC!!!...
1. SO ADRIAN, WHAT IS 'TWENTY TWENTY VISION'?
The reason I picked the name is a secret. It doesn't relate to eyesight, nor the Blondie song 'Picture This' in which Debbie Harry sings 'All I want is 20/20 vision'. It has something to do with living a parallel life and fate, but I will say no more!
2. YOU ARE AN ACOUSTIC SINGER-SONGWRITER WITH A GOOD EAR FOR GREAT BEATS TO BACK YOUR MUSIC... WHAT FIRST INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING MUSIC?
When I was around thirteen years old, I became ill with M.E. It wasn't life-threatening but it was very debilitating, and for the next two years, I spent a majority of my time sleeping or just lying in complete darkness. It was during this period that I began writing poetry. I had never written creatively to any notable extent before then. I found I could express myself quite well in that form and I knew it was also quite cathartic. Therefore, it wasn't so much an inspiration that prompted me to begin writing. It was more a necessity at that time. In terms of music, I believe I was sixteen when I picked up a guitar my mother had bought me years earlier while I was at primary school. I began putting some simple chord progressions behind the words I had been writing, and these became my first songs. I think my songwriting now allows me to explore who I am and how I think. I write through characters much of the time, imagining how someone feels to be in a certain situation. In a way then, I guess my inspiration is pretty much the wanting to discover who I am.
3. IS THERE MUCH ELSE EXCITING GOING ON IN THE UNDERGROUND MANCHESTER MUSIC SCENE?
As everyone knows, Manchester has a great musical history and there are always up-and-coming acts worth taking note of. There are many good resources on the internet where people can check out new Manchester artists. Two of the best are : www.manchestermusic.co.uk and www.manchester-bands.co.uk . I've recently seen a Singer-Songwriter called Stephen Fretwell play live, and I'm pretty sure he's going to do well. Bands such as Moco, Nylon Pylon and Oceansize have risen through the Manchester music scene recently. I believe the latter two now have deals with London Records and Beggars Banquet respectively, and I'm certain they won't be the last out of the many acts currently playing in and around the Manchester area to get a record deal.
4. ON THE BACK OF THE GREAT PRESS YOU'VE BEEN RECEIVING, HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECORD COMPANY INTEREST?
I've had a certain amount of interest dating back to 1999 when I received a phonecall from a chap at The Echo Label Ltd (home of Feeder and Moloko). He had heard one of my first acoustic demos and thought it was good. More recently I have had requests for demos from several companies. These included V2 Music Publishing and Manchester-based Faith and Hope Records. The former owner of Nude Records (once home of Suede) described my songwriting as having 'tremendous potential' in constructive correspondence recently. His new label (Altered States) has now received two of my demos.
5. WHO ARE YOUR HEROES, AND WHAT'S YOUR FAVE ALBUM OF ALL TIME?
I admire people who allow you to see who they really are, for all their strength and beauty, and all their faults and weaknesses. Music-wise, as a listener, I feel John Lennon is unsurpassed in this regard. I guess that's my answer. My favourite album? Well, out of my collection of records, I would have to pick a Beatles album ... probably Revolver.
6. WHAT'S IN THE PIPELINE, ADRIAN?
I'm currently seeking the right musicians to gig with and to record a studio demo with. I will then have something more defined in terms of what Twenty Twenty Vision is and also something which sounds professional. Obviously, my overall goal is to be releasing records as a career in the not too distant future.
(questions by Steve Rudd)
VISIT... www.twentytwentyvision.net