Interview | Adam Stafford

If you have read my recent review of Build a Harbour Immediately, you should know how much I love this record. If you have listened to it, then chances are you love it as much as I do. The one and only person responsible for all this is Adam Stafford, who recently embarked on a solo adventure after ending the Y’all is Fantasy Island era.

As he prepares next month’s album launch gig in Glasgow, Mr. Stafford took the time to answer a couple of questions for Argos Barks.

Argos Barks: Hello, could you introduce yourself for us please?

Adam Stafford: My name is Adam Stafford, I was a member of the Falkirk group Y’all is Fantasy Island and I run the digital label Wise Blood Industries.

AB: How would you describe the music you make?

AS: It’s varried. Up until now most of my solo output has been pretty experimental I suppose, but the new record has elements of everything. Hopefully it’s all unique to my own voice. The disparate parts are limbs all connecting to the same body.

AB: What are some of the bands/artists that have influenced you?

AS: The list is too vast to mention, but I’ll tell you this, the first time that I heard Blind Willie Johnson when I was eighteen I had an epiphany. His voice moved like water over scorching embers; his passion, righteousness and anger jumped out at you like the Holy Ghost hiding behind a bush; he was also one of the best guitarists that ever lived, the rawness of his message and music still puts most modern acts to shame.

AB: What was the response you’ve had so far as a solo artist?

AS: For the few people that have seen me live, the response has been lovely and kind so far. Im trying now to put more emphasis into the performance being an experience instead of just some guy in jeans and a t-shirt playing songs. There is more of a congregational element, a sermon that takes you to outer space.

AB: What was the transition like from Y’all is Fantasy Island to going solo?

AS: The biggest difference is not having to deal with dynamics, and I don’t mean musical, but the way people interact in a band situation with each other. I wasn’t a very honest person when I was in Yifi, I’m so glad a lot of friendships survived through some of the rougher periods. There was a lot of forgiveness on the parts of others and a lot of introspection for myself, like, how can I learn from this and try and be a better person and communicator. But, we will get together in one form or another under a different name sometime soon.

AB: How do you feel more comfortable as musician, playing solo or as part of a band?

AS: In a live context, it’s becoming easier to play unaccompanied. I love collaborating, but I do enjoy recording more than exposing yourself to an audience when you are at your most vulnerable. Sometimes you can hide behind the band, but you should’nt. I try to channel the nervous energy into the performance now, and there is a lot of it!

AB: How was the process of creating and recording Build a Harbour Immediately?

AS: It was joyous but hard work. I loved every minute of it but I also poured in everything I had, when we weren’t in the studio every day for 10 hours I was working my usual job of taking emergency calls at the weekend. By the end of the two weeks I was totally exhausted, losing sleep and my voice at the same time! But working with Paul Savage was a pleasure, the man is at the top of his game. After working with him for one day, I’d felt like I’d known him for years.
He came on board as an engineer but it was soon apparent that he was as much a sculpturer sonically than any of the musicians. Technically, everything was mapped out to the nth degree. The songs were written, demoed and practiced before any of the mics rolled so we were all very well prepared. There was some vocal and string improvisation, songs were chopped down to a shorter length in the mix. It was quick and efficient, like open heart surgery, there was no time to get nervous or emotional.

AB: What music are you listening to at the moment?

AS: Bobby Womb, who is ex-Yifi clarinetist Jon McCall has a new ep called Beyond the Reach of Binoculars which will be out on Wise Blood soon. It contains these lovely surreal instrumentals written for clarinet and percussion that sounds somewhere between Fridge and Bernard Herrmann. Im also down with albums by Tune—Yards, Peaking Lights and Micachu & The Shapes.

AB: What’s the next thing we can expect from you?

AS: Music-wise, I’ve demoed the next record and want to start recording next year. It’s definitely the strongest set of songs yet and will be a much better record than Harbour - more ambitious in scope with choirs, beatboxing, odd percussion. The songs are more direct and electric, a lot of emphasis on harmony. Less dilly-dally.

Many thanks to Adam Stafford! Make sure not to miss him on 20 August at Stereo (Glasgow), with support from PAWS, Miaoux Miaoux and Mondegreen.