Fourth installment of interviews by: Polarbear, Ed Byrne, The Mummers, Maps & Martin Figura!
The pioneering, genre-defying, award-winning Latitude Festival returns to England’s Sunrise Coast for another spectacular year. Taking place on 16th – 19th July, near Suffolk’s stunning sea-side town of Southwold, organisers Festival Republic are promising Latitude will be the perfect British summer destination.
In the run up to one of the biggest summer festivals, some of the artists taking to the stages gave us press bunnies some wonderful interviews.
Are you attending the festival this year? Check out the latitude press release and have your say on who you are looking forward to, just click reply!
In the run up to one of the biggest summer festivals, some of the artists taking to the stages gave us press bunnies some wonderful interviews.
Are you attending the festival this year? Check out the latitude press release and have your say on who you are looking forward to, just click reply!
______________________________ _______________
1. Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s Latitude festival across the Arenas (Obelisk, Uncut, Comedy, Theatre, Literary and Poetry, Film & Music) and why?
Bat for Lashes in the uncut arena will be nice to check out. Saw her on telly the other night and really liked it. Grace Jones is nuts so if I'm in the mood I'll be checking her out.
Sean Lock always makes me laugh so time permitting I'll be watching him be funny and apart from that I'll just probably wander and hope to drop on something I've never even heard and love it.
2. What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
I haven't been for a couple of years but what I remember from last time was the feeling of actually relaxing. A lot of the festivals are like mental towns that you go to and have to be on it full time and you don't really get a second unless you're off your face. I can do that at home tell you the truth so I'm looking forward to taking it easy.
Be good to see how it's grown since I came last too.
3. What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
I'll be bringing some brummie story talking on Friday night in the Poetry arena. I'll be sharing a new piece that I think is special, but I'll leave that up to the people.
4. If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
Watching films with my family.
5. What do you always bring to a festival?
A short fuse.
6. Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been?
Saul Willaims in the poetry tent a few years back was pretty nice. John Berkavitch smashed it too. Didn't get to see much that year. Was busy making friends and being silly.
7. Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
Don't try and see too much. Give an arena a chance. Like an album, let something you're maybe not feeling as much set you up for the next track and you'll enjoy it more.
Oh, and don't drink cider, pass out and get funny shaped sunburn on your face
8. What is your favourite colour Sheep?
I'm a traditionalist so I gotta say original dirty white. Like school mashed potato.
1. Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s Latitude festival across the Arenas (Obelisk, Uncut, Comedy, Theatre, Literary and Poetry, Film & Music) and why?
Janeane Garofalo is playing the comedy stage this year which is quite a big deal. I've seen her perform in Canada and the US and I'm looking forward to seeing her do her thing in front of a British audience.
2. What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
I've not been to Latitude before but the one thing I'm told about it that I'm looking forward to is the fact that the noise from the other stages doesn't drown out what's going on in the comedy tent like it does at other festivals.
3. What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
Nothing special. Just my usual brand yarn spinning and contrariness.
4. If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
Hill-walking in Scotland. I had intended to spend most of this Summer in the Highlands but it's looking increasingly like life is going to get in the way.
5. What do you always bring to a festival?
A good head torch. I think I'm more into the camping and outdoors paraphernalia that go along with the festival experience than most others are. I'll be bringing an excellent all weather tent complete with wood burning stove and camp cooking utensils. The most useful thing to bring is a head torch. People will make jokes about going down mines but they will also envy your ability to navigate in the dark with your hands free.
6. Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been?
Not been. For shame!
7. Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
Once again, HEAD TORCH!
8. What is your favourite colour Sheep?
My father in law is a sheep farmer so I'm going to go with the off-white of a Blue Faced Leicester.
1. Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s Latitude festival across the Arenas (Obelisk, Uncut, Comedy, Theatre, Literary and Poetry, Film & Music) and why?
I never got to see Sigur Ros live so am really looking forward to them at last, also Nick Cave, Passion Pit because we've done a Mummers mash-up of one of their songs, Ladyhawke, Bat for Lashes.. oh and of course Grace Jones
2. What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
I like the broadness of it - its small but perfectly formed!
3. What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
We will be bringing a few wild animals (leashed) to perform with us, and hopefully a new song as we are attempting to do a new one for each festival.
4. If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
Making the tea, chasing violinists, trying to mix madrigals with marching bands
5. What do you always bring to a festival?
High-heeled platform boots, my VW Campervan
6. Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been?
Unfortunately no
7. Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
Let yourself wander into places you normally wouldnt go in, u might get a surprising treat
8. What is your favourite colour Sheep?
I once saw a green one, but that was after 4 days at Glastonbury.
1. Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s Latitude festival across the Arenas (Obelisk, Uncut, Comedy, Theatre, Literary and Poetry, Film & Music) and why?
There's lots I wanna see. Bombay Bicycle Club is one of them. I'm doing a remix right now and I love the song. Really wanna check them out live.
2. What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
Many aspects really. The atmosphere is great, very relaxed. It's just about the right size too, you can walk from stage to stage easily browsing bands and acts, which is hard when festivals are too big. It's just a really cool set-up.
3. What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
Yep. It'll be special. Myself and August are in the Maps Lab right now concocting our plot. We wanna make people move, both physically and emotionally. It's gonna be a blast.
4. If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
Playing with my new drum machine.
5. What do you always bring to a festival?
Condoms. Not that they ever get used
.
6. Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been?
Yes, I played back in 2007. It was amazing! But, to be honest, 2007 was a very messy year for me. I can't quite remember who I saw. I remember dancing in a forest til 8am though. Or maybe that was a dream. It was great though!!
7. Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
Come and see Maps!!
8. What is your favourite colour Sheep?
Blue or purple. I really can't make a decision over those two colours. Maybe half blue, half purple? That'd look good.
1. Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year's Latitude festival across the Arenas (Obelisk, Uncut, Comedy, Theatre, Literary and Poetry, Film & Music) and why?
Will be worming my way to the front for Nick Cave again – Grinderman was amazing last year
2. What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
The poetry arena is where I relax and the music is where I wear myself out. Also wandering in the woods and being surprised by all sorts of stuff.
3. What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
I’ve two sets, first to be out and out established funny stuff and second some more serious new stuff – but new funny stuff too that I’ve been writing of late.
4. If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
I’m doing this on a break from writing up my introductions for the Café Writers (event I’m hosting on Sunday with Paul Farley (also at Latitude), Mark Cocker, Katrina Porteous and Matt Merritt.
5. What do you always bring to a festival?
A relaxed attitude to personal hygiene.
6. Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been?
Twice – Nick Cave’s Grinderman right up there in my top ten best gigs ever.
7. Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
Go to the poetry arena. Read poetry.
8. What is your favourite colour Sheep?
The green one with the funny eye.
Look out for more interviews & New artist Additions in the build up to Latitude '09
Polarbear – Poetry Arena - Birmingham/London (Kentish Town)
1. Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s Latitude festival across the Arenas (Obelisk, Uncut, Comedy, Theatre, Literary and Poetry, Film & Music) and why?
Bat for Lashes in the uncut arena will be nice to check out. Saw her on telly the other night and really liked it. Grace Jones is nuts so if I'm in the mood I'll be checking her out.
Sean Lock always makes me laugh so time permitting I'll be watching him be funny and apart from that I'll just probably wander and hope to drop on something I've never even heard and love it.
2. What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
I haven't been for a couple of years but what I remember from last time was the feeling of actually relaxing. A lot of the festivals are like mental towns that you go to and have to be on it full time and you don't really get a second unless you're off your face. I can do that at home tell you the truth so I'm looking forward to taking it easy.
Be good to see how it's grown since I came last too.
3. What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
I'll be bringing some brummie story talking on Friday night in the Poetry arena. I'll be sharing a new piece that I think is special, but I'll leave that up to the people.
4. If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
Watching films with my family.
5. What do you always bring to a festival?
A short fuse.
6. Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been?
Saul Willaims in the poetry tent a few years back was pretty nice. John Berkavitch smashed it too. Didn't get to see much that year. Was busy making friends and being silly.
7. Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
Don't try and see too much. Give an arena a chance. Like an album, let something you're maybe not feeling as much set you up for the next track and you'll enjoy it more.
Oh, and don't drink cider, pass out and get funny shaped sunburn on your face
8. What is your favourite colour Sheep?
I'm a traditionalist so I gotta say original dirty white. Like school mashed potato.
______________________________ _______________
Ed Byrne – Comedy Arena - Dublin
1. Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s Latitude festival across the Arenas (Obelisk, Uncut, Comedy, Theatre, Literary and Poetry, Film & Music) and why?
Janeane Garofalo is playing the comedy stage this year which is quite a big deal. I've seen her perform in Canada and the US and I'm looking forward to seeing her do her thing in front of a British audience.
2. What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
I've not been to Latitude before but the one thing I'm told about it that I'm looking forward to is the fact that the noise from the other stages doesn't drown out what's going on in the comedy tent like it does at other festivals.
3. What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
Nothing special. Just my usual brand yarn spinning and contrariness.
4. If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
Hill-walking in Scotland. I had intended to spend most of this Summer in the Highlands but it's looking increasingly like life is going to get in the way.
5. What do you always bring to a festival?
A good head torch. I think I'm more into the camping and outdoors paraphernalia that go along with the festival experience than most others are. I'll be bringing an excellent all weather tent complete with wood burning stove and camp cooking utensils. The most useful thing to bring is a head torch. People will make jokes about going down mines but they will also envy your ability to navigate in the dark with your hands free.
6. Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been?
Not been. For shame!
7. Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
Once again, HEAD TORCH!
8. What is your favourite colour Sheep?
My father in law is a sheep farmer so I'm going to go with the off-white of a Blue Faced Leicester.
______________________________ _______________
The Mummers , Alastair – Uncut Arena - Brighton
1. Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s Latitude festival across the Arenas (Obelisk, Uncut, Comedy, Theatre, Literary and Poetry, Film & Music) and why?
I never got to see Sigur Ros live so am really looking forward to them at last, also Nick Cave, Passion Pit because we've done a Mummers mash-up of one of their songs, Ladyhawke, Bat for Lashes.. oh and of course Grace Jones
2. What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
I like the broadness of it - its small but perfectly formed!
3. What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
We will be bringing a few wild animals (leashed) to perform with us, and hopefully a new song as we are attempting to do a new one for each festival.
4. If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
Making the tea, chasing violinists, trying to mix madrigals with marching bands
5. What do you always bring to a festival?
High-heeled platform boots, my VW Campervan
6. Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been?
Unfortunately no
7. Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
Let yourself wander into places you normally wouldnt go in, u might get a surprising treat
8. What is your favourite colour Sheep?
I once saw a green one, but that was after 4 days at Glastonbury.
______________________________ _______________
Maps, James Chapman – The Lake Stage - Northampton
1. Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s Latitude festival across the Arenas (Obelisk, Uncut, Comedy, Theatre, Literary and Poetry, Film & Music) and why?
There's lots I wanna see. Bombay Bicycle Club is one of them. I'm doing a remix right now and I love the song. Really wanna check them out live.
2. What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
Many aspects really. The atmosphere is great, very relaxed. It's just about the right size too, you can walk from stage to stage easily browsing bands and acts, which is hard when festivals are too big. It's just a really cool set-up.
3. What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
Yep. It'll be special. Myself and August are in the Maps Lab right now concocting our plot. We wanna make people move, both physically and emotionally. It's gonna be a blast.
4. If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
Playing with my new drum machine.
5. What do you always bring to a festival?
Condoms. Not that they ever get used
.6. Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been?
Yes, I played back in 2007. It was amazing! But, to be honest, 2007 was a very messy year for me. I can't quite remember who I saw. I remember dancing in a forest til 8am though. Or maybe that was a dream. It was great though!!
7. Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
Come and see Maps!!
8. What is your favourite colour Sheep?
Blue or purple. I really can't make a decision over those two colours. Maybe half blue, half purple? That'd look good
.______________________________ _______________
Martin Figura – Norwich – Poetry Arena
1. Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year's Latitude festival across the Arenas (Obelisk, Uncut, Comedy, Theatre, Literary and Poetry, Film & Music) and why?
Will be worming my way to the front for Nick Cave again – Grinderman was amazing last year
2. What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
The poetry arena is where I relax and the music is where I wear myself out. Also wandering in the woods and being surprised by all sorts of stuff.
3. What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
I’ve two sets, first to be out and out established funny stuff and second some more serious new stuff – but new funny stuff too that I’ve been writing of late.
4. If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
I’m doing this on a break from writing up my introductions for the Café Writers (event I’m hosting on Sunday with Paul Farley (also at Latitude), Mark Cocker, Katrina Porteous and Matt Merritt.
5. What do you always bring to a festival?
A relaxed attitude to personal hygiene.
6. Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been?
Twice – Nick Cave’s Grinderman right up there in my top ten best gigs ever.
7. Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
Go to the poetry arena. Read poetry.
8. What is your favourite colour Sheep?
The green one with the funny eye.
______________________________ _______________
Look out for more interviews & New artist Additions in the build up to Latitude '09
