Interview: Mr Scruff talks Tunafish, Tea, and Tunes

Jasmine Phull talks to Mr Scruff in the midst of his busy summer festival schedule about fish, tea, and how the weather affects his sets.

Richard Dyer

Last updated: 12th Jul 2011

Mr Scruff, a name Andy Carthy inherited because of his messy mane, keeps his music low maintenance and most importantly fun.

His love for loose- lined drawing and child-like characters is heavily integrated into his work and is as synonymous as his sample-based music. I’m willing to bet David Attenborough and David Bellamy never thought they’d feature on a track entitled ‘Fish’. Then there’s his home-made brew, appearing in little white tea cups at a Mr Scruff gig near you.

Jasmine Phull talks to Andy Carthy in the midst of a busy summer festival schedule.

You’ve been around since 1994 and you released your first studio album back in 1997. What’s one thing that changed in the music industry?

Artists have had to take much more control of every aspect of their careers, especially communication and promotion.

What compelled you to start producing music and what’s compelled you to continue?

Curiosity! Every time I play with piece of musical equipment, or think of an idea, a whole mini-world of opportunity opens up in my head, and I start exploring. This happens with every tune, and means that I am constantly developing as well as having fun.

You’ve got a number of remixes to your name. How do you decide on a track to remix?

I have to like at least some of the tune, and feel that I can take the bits that I like and create something good. I have turned down several remixes simply because the tracks are so good that they don’t need messing with!

Your last release was Bonus Bait in 2009. What are you currently working on?

I have a new single, ‘Wobble Control’ out at the moment, and am currently working on my next album for Ninja Tune, as well as another ‘Southport Weekender’ DJ Mix.

One way in which the Internet impacts Mr Scruff?

It makes communication a lot easier, and two-way, which means that you can be more flexible (and in my case, more last-minute) with things like promotion.

Your cartoon drawings seem to play a big part in ‘Mr Scruff’ the artist. Why do you think you’ve so heavily integrated the animation aspect?

The cartoons express the fun part of my personality and music, and if people approach my music with a smile on their face, that is a great start.

Your online store sells merchandise as well as tea. What’s the deal with the tea?

I have been selling tea at my gigs for over 10 years now. Loads of people drink tea all day, and I see no reason for depriving them of tea at night! It started out as a daft idea, and grew into something that I now do at most gigs, and even festivals. It grew and grew, until around 5 years ago, we were selling so much tea at gigs that we thought that it would be fun to start the ‘Make Us A Brew’ tea company.

It’s said that most of your studio albums contain tracks about fish, whales and other sea-life. Does your love for the marina stem back to your childhood?

No, it just stems from a lifetime of shopping for records in charity shops, and eventually amassing a collection of children’s records with fishy samples on.

Festival season is underway. Is there a track that you like to begin and end a set with?

No, every gig is different. The first track depends on what the weather is like, what time of day it is, what the area looks like, what the atmosphere at the festival is like, and who is on before me.

Last song you listened to?

Oumou Sangare ‘Baba’

First album you bought?

Madness ‘Complete Madness’.