The Rise of British Sea Power
This year’s Fuji Rock Festival sees the return of British Sea Power to Japanese shores. No, we are not talking about a naval flotilla, but one of the most unique and quintessentially “English” bands to emerge in recent years. British Sea Power are a band who dance happily on the tightrope between popularity and doing what they bloody well like. From the rapturously received (not to mention Mercury nominated) 2008 album ‘Do you Like Rock Music?’ they plunged into ‘Man of Aran’; an atmospheric post-rock soundtrack to a silent 1934 film about a small island off the coast of Ireland. Not a smart move some would have said but, for a band who are just as likely to play on a windswept Yorkshire moor or Devonshire cliff as they are to play in your local Carling Academy, it is just the kind of thing British Sea Power are adept at pulling off. With their new album ‘Vahalla Dancehall’ released earlier this year, we took time to catch up with Noble, the band’s stage-diving foliage-clad guitarist, to hear about all things BSP ahead of their trip to Japan.
Your new album, Valhalla Dancehall was recently released. How has the reception been?
The reception has been very good. We’ve just finished a UK tour, and played to the most people we have ever played to!
The title is intriguing, why Valhalla Dancehall?
We liked the idea of having Dancehall in the title. It reflected two meanings, from Ballroom Dancing, and 1940s Swing Bands, and it also is the name given to high-energy, sexually charged Jamaican Dancehalls. I think the Valhalla part came when we went to play on a tiny island in Norway, in the Arctic Circle. It provided images of Norse Mythology too. The whole thing then melded into one giant place called Valhalla Dancehall.
What is your personal favourite track?
It changes from week to week. I really enjoy playing Luna at the moment. I’ve finally worked out a guitar part for it, which tries to do the job of all the guitars on the recorded version.
You are famed for playing some extremely interesting venues. Which one particularly sticks in your mind?
The way the memory works, i can only think of the most recent one. We played on a boat on the Thames in support of renewable wave power. The boat sailed past Westminster and the Houses of Parliament. Hopefully some Members of Parliament thought “what is that noise? I like it. I think I’ll buy the album and also support renewable wave power”.
After one of your early visits to Japan you were quoted as saying Japan is “the only place you feel like a real rock star”. Why is this do you think?
We felt like rock stars in Taipei and Beijing too. Surprisingly to us, people in the East really get into the gigs. I don’t know why. People in the West are too self-conscious and worry what people think of them. We prefer it when people are in touch with their emotions and really enjoy themselves.
Have you experienced any quirks of Japanese culture in your visits here?
Many. In lots of cases it is so subtle that it can give you a headache and disorientate you. I love Japanese food now. When i first came to Japan it was quite difficult to get used to the food culture. I’m really looking forwards to eating Japanese food again when we come to Fuji Rock.
Are you fans of Japanese music?
We don’t know much Japanese music, but Julian Cope wrote a book called JapRockSampler which talks about all the great Japanese bands, so we listen to a few of those. We have had Japanese band Bo Ningen support us lots of times. They live in London now. Bo Ningen are a fantastic band.
When you tour abroad, do you take your own stage props with you?
Not usually, it is very difficult and expensive to just bring our own equipment and clothes. If we sold more records then we might be able to! But lots of people just download music for free now.
Are you looking forward to returning to Japan for the Fuji Rock Fesival?
Yes. We are extremely excited and looking forwards to coming to Japan again. We have been waiting for this for a few years now. We also hope that the people of Japan are recovering from the Earthquake and Tsunami, and we send our best wishes.
British Sea Power will be appearing at Fuji Rock Festival (29th – 31st July 2011)
Weekend ticket: ¥ 39,800 (tax included) ⇒ (pre-sale price – ¥ 39,000 (tax included)
Day ticket: ¥ 16,800 (limited to 10,000 for each day)
For more information and details on how to buy tickets, please visit the official Fuji Rock Festival website
Words: Mark Birtles
Translation: Asuka Ozutsumi
June 13, 2011
