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AN INTERVIEW WITH�.
JIM FROM SCARLET SOHO.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T ALREADY KNOW, JUST QUICKLY TELL US WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO.
We are a three piece outfit. 2 x boys and 1 x girl. We are very enthusiastic about electronic music and angular guitar music. We fuse both to create our unique sound. Jim (vocals, bleeps, guitar) Lee (Synth, guitar, b.v's) Scarlet (Synth, bass,)
IT'S NEARLY A YEAR SINCE WE LAST SPOKE WITH YOU. WHAT HAVE YOU BEING UP TO IN THAT TIME?
Well we toured in Feb 03, and Oct/Nov 03. In that time we were discussing releasing albums through Ninthwave Media in the States, and Human Recordings over here. Both deals were signed in the middle of 03. Now we are in and out of the studio writing and recording our debut album with Delays producer Justin Callaway. Last month we confirmed our distribution and press, so the album should be on the shelves on October 18th 04. In the meantime we are doing odd gigs with the Killers, Surferosa, King Adora and Rachel Stamp just to keep things ticking over.
YOU RECENTLY RELEASED 'ISOLATION' AS A SINGLE. WHAT IS THE TRACK ABOUT?
Everything and nothing.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO GIVE AWAY THE SINGLE RATHER THAN SELL IT?
It is on sale, it's just that the first 150 went out free to people who signed up for it via our website. We are not the most welcoming band sometimes so we felt it important to show some sort of gesture to the fans, that's all.
YOUR DEBUT ALBUM IS DUE OUT IN THE SUMMER. WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM IT?
A diverse and solid debut. There will be 50% old songs and 50% new. The new stuff is a lot faster i guess. We just want to make a diverse album. It will have some proggy synth moments and we will take a few more risks than we did on our singles.
ANY IDEA WHAT SAID ALBUM WILL BE CALLED?
We are open to suggestions. We'd prefer to keep our ideas to ourselves for now...
HAVE YOU TOTALLY FINISHED RECORDING IT?
No it's halfway there. The new songs need editing and mastering. As long as it's done by early August we wont be in trouble!
ANY INTERESTING TALES FROM THE STUDIO THAT YOU CARE TO SHARE WITH US?
It's sad but no, i guess we just go in and do what needs doing. I've not noticed too much out of the ordinary.
ANY IDEA WHAT THE NEXT SINGLE WILL BE AND WHEN IT WILL BE OUT?
We may do a single around November/December. It will probably be a new song. Not sure which yet. The b-sides will include some really cool remixes by Whitetown, Rude nhs and possibly even Chikinki too.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF MUSIC?
Well there's something in there for everyone i guess. We are just an angular synth-rock band. Currently somewhere between Wall of Voodoo, Depeche Mode and At the Drive In.
WHAT IS THE MOST SPINAL TAP MOMENT SCARLET SOHO HAVE EVER HAD ON TOUR?
Too many to mention. Example, arriving in Kingston to play and realising that our sampler had been left (in it's box) in Exeter the night before. Being too far away to pick it up, we all sat round dejected. Then i remembered that i'd made a back-up of drum tracks onto cd. So we played the gig to cd. It only skipped once! When i called the Exeter venue to find out what had happened to our sampler they told me that someone the night after had found it on-stage and handed it in at the bar. Only problem is that they'd stolen the box, leads and most importantly all the data discs. All they handed in was the sampler itself. It's the fucking discs we wanted!!! Anyway, when i asked which band handed it in the man behind the bar said...(i can't say the rest cos i will get in trouble)
DO YOU GET NERVOUS BEFORE GOING ON STAGE?
We all do sometimes, but never at the same gig!
HOW DO YOU STRUCTURE YOUR SET?
A solid opener. 3rd track usually slowish or with a groove. Last track very up-beat.
WHICH TRACK DO YOU MOST ENJOY PERFORMING?
All of them a special depending what type of gig it is. Isolation never lets me down i spose.
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO AFTER A GIG?
Sell some merch, load the van, have a drink.
IS IT DISHEARTENING ON THE NIGHTS FEW PEOPLE TURN UP TO SEE YOU?
That's not happened in some time now. I think we may have turned the corner somewhat. Obviously when the album is out we will need to play new areas. We can adapt to intimate shows though. Sometimes i prefer them. It's nice to prove you can do other things than "rock".
WILL YOU BE PLAYING ANY OF THE SUMMER FESTIVALS?
We will be tucked away preparing for the album most of the summer. I think we may come out to support the Levellers (ouch!) at some festival. The same festival has Rolf Harris on the bill. We are also in the running to do Guildford festival i think. Not all that bothered though. We don't really like festivals.
ANY PLANS FOR A FULL UK TOUR ANYTIME SOON?
We will be touring heavily from mid October to promote the album. This could go on for some time, until we drop, or at least until the album sells out. We may be going out with the Killers in May, that's not confirmed yet.
IF YOU WERE ALL CONTESTANTS ON THE SAME EDITION OF THE WEAKEST LINK, WHICH OF YOU WOULD LAST LONGEST?
Probably Scarlet. She knows all the text-book answers to everything. Myself and Lee are full of Useless information really. The kind of information that can't be proven right or wrong.
IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN A LIFETIME OF FREE AND AVAILABLE SEX OR A LIFETIME OF FREE AND AVAILABLE BOOZE AND FAGS, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
What an odd question. personally, i do none of that stuff these days anyway. Lee has just given up booze and fags too, i think he'd go for the sex option. Scarlet would have booze and fags any day of the week! Red band and Leffe!
DOES EATING CHEESE GIVE YOU NIGHTMARES?
Not that i'm aware. Perhaps it's just Northern cheese that does that!
MUSICALLY AND LYRICALLY, WHICH OF THE SONGS YOU'VE WRITTEN IS YOUR FAVOURITE?
Really could'nt say.
WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER DOING ANY COVERS?
We've looked into some. We just can't find the time to sort it out. A Kate Bush song was an option for some time. And we do a great version of "walking in the air" too. Thats just acoustic although we may record it.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT YOU COULD MAKE AS A BAND?
Just to make a living and see the World. We have always been aware that the world aint quite ready for what we are offering. All we can hope is that people appreciate the meaning of what we do, and come along for the ride.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW AS A CHILD?
The A-team was a hit with me. Along with Rainbow and Bagpuss.
DO YOU WEAR SOCKS IN BED?
Socks in bed! No way!
WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR POCKETS RIGHT NOW?
A plectrum and some gum.
WHICH DO YOU ENJOY DOING THE MOST. WRITING SONGS, RECORDING THEM OR PLAYING THEM LIVE?
I like them all. There is a time and place for everything. We are all good all-rounders i think.
WHAT BAND EXPERIENCE WOULD YOU LIKE TO RE LIVE?
Some of our tv appearances have been quite fun. To do them again would be good. Last time Scarlet had people running roound fetching mars bars for her!
WHAT FIRST MADE YOU WANT TO PICK UP A GUITAR AND JOIN/FORM A BAND?
Difficult question. Not sure if there was one defining moment. Paradise City was a catalyst, along with Ricky Warwick. I've always liked Martin Gores style too though. These days guitars seem to look better than they sound.

ALL QUESTIONS BY SCREAMING TARTS.

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