Electric Soft Parade are siblings Alex and Tom White. Originally called The Feltro Media, the band eventually renamed themselves The Soft Parade (and later, The Electric Soft Parade after threats to sue over the name from a Doors’ tribute band). They released their critically-acclaimed debut album, Holes in the Wall in 2002 and were nominated for a Mercury Prize that same year. They also perform in the band Brakes with British Sea Power’s Eamon Hamilton and The Tenderfoot’s Marc Beatty. Their 3rd full-length, No Need to be Downhearted, is due out April 30th on Truck Records.
[Answers by Tom; Idiotic questions by Sean]
You’ve titled your new album ‘No Need To Be Downhearted’. Is this a reference to The Fall’s ‘15 Ways’?
Well of course!
Do you think the Fall have influenced you on this record? Any other influences someone might hear?
The Fall have been an influence for a while now, though i think they’re one of those bands whose influence you won’t necessarily hear. Also, i don’t think people really recognise how much Mark E Smith has to do with the sound of The Fall. I think most people think of him pretty much as just a pissed guy having a bit of a rant, but from what i’ve heard he happens to be a rather sensitive soul, with a very precise vision for what the band should sound like. Let’s just say that as he releases more and more records, it’s increasingly apparent to me that The Fall don’t sound like The Fall by accident. It’s a very deliberate sound, and I love him for that.
You two are brothers, what are the advantages to working so closely with a sibling? Any disadvantages?
If you are decent, well balanced people, there should be no particular advantages or disadvantages. We are on the same page.
You also collaborate with Eamon Hamilton & Mark Beatty in the form of the band Brakes. How did that come about?
Eamon was playing his songs on an acoustic guitar in a pub in Brighton, and we said ‘Hey, your tunes need some rock. Shall we??’
With Electric Soft Parade you had to change your name because of a Doors tribute band, with Brakes you had to change the name in the US because of another band with the same name. Is that particularly frustrating as an artist or do you just accept it as ‘part of the business’?
I couldn’t care less.
You played SXSW for the first time last year. What was your experience like there? What do you think will be different for you the second time around?
It is what it is. It all revolves around the industry, and it’s very easy to get lost in it all. You just have to play your absolute best, and hope that your personality distinguishes you from everything else.
You’ve been a strong proponent for other Brighton-based acts like The Pipettes & Actress Hands. Do you feel it’s important to support your local music community?
Of course. There was no-one there in Brighton to help us out when we started, so we’re damn well gonna give people a leg up if we have the chance.
If you could perform with any band - living or dead - who would it be?
Mission Of Burma.
What’s something absolutely everyone should know about you?
I can cook, but don’t try to help me in the kitchen. I get very territorial!
Electric Soft Parade on Myspace
- Sean
March 26th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Good stuff, Sean! Influences in all the right places.
March 31st, 2007 at 8:06 am
the song “If That’s the Case, Then I Don’t Know” on the new record is fucking good!!!!!