Interview: Guillemots Talk Breaks, Birds, and Bury Black Pudding

Experimental British band Guillemots headline Ramsbottom Festival on September 17th. 

We caught up with drummer Greig Stewart for a quick chat about being back on the road after the band's hiatus, harnessing echoes in the Norwegian Fjords, and, of course, Bury Black Pudding.

Hi Greig, how’s your summer going so far? What’s been the highlight of your festival season?

Really well, thanks. Been doing lots of festivals. A highlight was the Tramlines Festival in Sheffield. The audience were amazing and gave us a rapturous welcome.

How is it being back on the road with the new album after your hiatus?

It took me a short time to get back into the way of being on the road. Dealing with nerves, handling the adrenalin. But you soon get ways of handling it.

Guillemots had a bit of a break while Fyfe was working on his solo recordings. What did the rest of you do in this time?

Mc was making short films and has got a new band. Arista is busy writing and working with producers on her solo record. I started getting into making dance music. Also everyone got to spend quality time with their families, as we were away a lot for over four and half years.

Was there ever a danger or concern that the band may not get back on track after Fyfe did his solo thing?

You never know? People have to do what they want to do. Fyfe is prolific and does not stop writing music. He wanted to get this record he had in his head for ages without having Guillemots put their stamp on it.  I was happy to have sometime off and try and catch up with my young family.

Guillemots has such a distinct sound. What influences you? And do you all bring separate influences to the band?

Our sound is made by everyone in the band bringing their influences to the music. We all have vast differences of musical tastes. Arista: jazz, r+b, hip hop.  Mc: Industrial/noise/avant-garde. Fyfe: everthing. Me: World music, folk.

Your first album featured lots of bird samples. Is birdsong something that still informs your sound?

Fyfe is the guy with the ornithologist leanings. He is still influenced by them.

You’re known for your experimental sounds; the bird samples, unusual instruments such as typewriters etc. Is this experimentation still an important part of Guillemots and what have you been experimenting with lately?

We are always searching for new sounds. It something that keeps us going as a band and in life. We are going to Norway this week to record for two weeks. I will be searching the Fjords to see if there is any cool echos to record some drums and vocals outside.

What’s your favourite ever Guillemots lyric?

'Dancing in the Devils shoes' on Walk the river: "And there's a storm in every bottle of wine / There's a ghost that finds me every single time"  

How does the writing process work? And what comes first – the music or the lyrics?

We all jam in a room and record everything onto minidisc, and develop the songs after that. Or Fyfe will come in with a finished song he has written. Usually the music comes first or both together. It's a Fyfe question really.

You’re playing at the brand new Ramsbottom Festival in September. What are you looking forward to about it, and what should people look forward to about your set?

It's the first time we will have played live after recording in Norway. So hopefully we may try a new song for the first time live?

Have you ever tried Bury Black Pudding?

No. But really look forward to trying it. The band are foodies!

Guillemots headline Ramsbottom Festival on Saturday 17th September, joined by Badly Drawn Boy, Cherry Ghost, Young Knives, and loads more. Tickets for Ramsbottom Festival are available through Skiddle below. 

Interview: Jayne Robinson

Find out more about Ramsbottom Festival.