MICK HARGAN
It's currently pissing down in Glasgow. Meanwhile, in Miami, Mick Hargan is sitting beside the pool chatting to us. And he's just cracked the screen on his phone.
We're chatting with Mick not because we hope he'll bring some sunshine back with him (though that would be nice) but because we wanted to find out more about his current tour that has just kicked off with a gig in none other than the Big Apple itself, New York.
If you live in Glasgow it's unlikely that you haven't come across one of Mick's music nights whether as a performer or as an audience member. Mick is always there helping give a chance for other musicians to gain an audience but right now he's putting the spotlight firmly on him. So we thought we'd ask - why now.
So first things first, how did the new EP come about?
3 of the songs were recorded in one take - 45, Done Dancing With You, Manhattan Skyline. The three other songs had already been recorded. I didn't like them so we stripped them back I reworked the guitar and vocals in one or two takes. That whole process was an afternoon.
I got 30 odd songs recorded that are close to being finished. I just hate recording, it's like looking in the mirror. But I'd been getting badgered to get some of the songs out. And when I thought about it, whatever anybody thinks of me, on listening the stuff I tanned out in 6 hours... People are physically spending over a year on stuff and spending fortunes to still sound like shite...
So aye 5 hours. Art work included in that time. Neil [McKenzie - Keep It Creative] spent more time mixing and mastering. Physical CDs were with me in a 4 day turnaround period from the distributor. All shit was set up with iTunes etc by Cadiz in a coupla days. That was the process. Neil is good like that, he knows how I work best and he nurtures that and plays along with me.
So why choose now to release this?
Why now? It'd been 10 years since my first album which is utter shite. I was getting badgered. I'm at a point were I can get shows in certain places around the world and that enriches me and I'm made welcome.
I've never bought into the Glasgow scene. Never felt part of it. And now with my booking work and the Newborn Sessions I'm a big part of it. Something I always avoided.
I have an agent in NYC, I was going over. Also I had just finished getting all my tattoos done in a 2 week period. I needed a new compulsion to take my head somewhere even for a second.
So how is all this promotion going so far?
I've just done NYC. That was awesome. I'm looking forward to all the shows. I have some special guests on this tour. Dave Arcari in Glasgow is a dear friend so I'm looking forward to Glasgow. I haven't been to London to play in a while so I suppose there. Dublin used to be my second home. I fucked Glasgow and just played where I wanted. Dublin took me in - I was afforded opportunities from Mundy, Mark Geary, Glen Hansard, Damien Dempsey, Declan O'Rourke... That in turn opened up NYC and the film festivals I got invited to play and in turn I got some songs places on a couple of American movies...
And the next steps?
Once this run of gigs is done, that's it as far as promoting this 45 record goes there'll be another one released in September the day before the Hope Over Fear rally at George Square. Then I'll do another run of dates that will take in Glasgow (for the album launch), Edinburgh, Manchester, London, Belfast, Dublin and Reykjavik. Then I'm doing NYC again in October during the CMJ music marathon. That's the plan.
All sounds good - any last thoughts about the Glasgow music scene?
It's like my records and my tours are separate from the shows I run. I run them to earn a crust to feed my family as a booker and to help any weans. If yer a prick, I'm telling ye yer a prick. People say I'm honest to a fault. I'd say there's no fault in telling it like it is - a prick is getting told he's a prick all day long, but a kid or someone who's not experienced... Does my head when I hear another 'musician' saying ha they're shite. I'm like, did ye listen to yerself last night ya dick, never mind when ye were that weans age. It's all psychology.
And I don't think we could sum it up better ourselves. In the past year that we've got to know Mick his honesty, hard work and love and passion for music has shone through and for us he's one of the good guys. If you get the chance be sure to check him out and have a pint with him.
Thanks to Mick for taking the time out of the sun lounge to take part in this interview. Credits for images go to Kannemilo Photography
Check out Mick Hargan at BigCartel for tickets, albums and other such stuff and follow him on Facebook at this page
Share
Tweet
