K&A with Colin MacIntyre

Yes, that Colin MacIntyre.  I can't quite believe it myself.  Of the 50-or-so interviews I've done on here, I believe it's doing none of the others a dis-service to say that this is the one that's tickled the most.  I started to really get into music when I was around 16 and can still remember Loss being one of the first albums I ever bought... that never had 'NOW' in the title.  So, to get the chance to ask one of my musical heroes a few questions, is an absolute honour.

Colin's busying himself ahead of the release of his sixth album, City Awakenings, due out in the Autumn.  Like a growing number of artists these days, he's signed up to PledgeMusic to raise some funds.  From what I've heard so far, the album is gonna be great!  You can get your hands on all sorts of goodies, from a signed copy of the new album to a private acoustic show.  So pledge away.  The sooner you do, the sooner Colin reaches his target... and the sooner I get my hands on my signed CD!

Time to hear from the man himself now.  Over to you Colin...

Kowalskiy:  Mr. MacIntyre, 'tis a pleasure! How are you? What are you up to?
Colin:  I'm well.  I'm just finalising my new album, a few mix tweaks.  Otherwise I'm listening to the Open golf on the radio - it's relaxing.

Kowalskiy:  It's been 10 years since you released your debut album Loss under your cult moniker Mull Historical Society. What made you change to record The Water under your own name? 

Colin:  I just fancied giving my alter-ego a rest.  It was 3 albums written and recorded and toured in 5 years - quite a lot of work!  But fun.  'Loss' was me pouring out, it was a rush.  And that's what the new album feels like.

Kowalskiy:  You're recording your 6th album City Awakenings just now over in NYC.  How'd you come by the name? Any feeling yet what the album will be about and how it'll compare to your last offering Island?

Colin:  'City Awakenings' refers to my time in the cities that have meant a lot to me.  Glasgow, London and New York.  Coming from an island it was like a rush to my senses being in a city and that had an impact on my creativity.  I seemed to have endless melodies and words in my head - I could never sleep so I recorded them all.  About 300 songs in those first years in Glasgow.  Then 11 of them became 'Loss'.
With an album I always need a theme to hang it on, and my inspiration was the above and also my memory of seeing a city for the first time as a child.  That story is the new song 'The Lights'.  City Awakenings is very upbeat, and not like Island at all.  But then it's all me too at the end of the day, as football managers would say at 4:45pm on a Saturday.

Kowalskiy:  So, does this mean you'll be dusting down the MHS alter-ego?

Colin:  We'll see!

Kowalskiy:  You tease!  For City Awakenings you've signed up to PledgeMusic. What was the thinking behind that?

Colin:  I've always tried to move as the industry moves.  But then again you need to be yourself aswell, the island never leaves you.

Kowalskiy:  What pledge do you recommend? 

Colin:  A night at my mum's hotel.

Kowalskiy:  When's the album due for release, and can we expect you back over here touring it?
Colin:  October 3rd. Yes definitely touring, can't wait to play 'em.

Kowalskiy:  I'm sure there's many, but are you able to single out any of your favourite moments in your musical career so far? 

Colin:  Playing with REM?  My tour with The Strokes?  My first gig at the Barrowlands? Meeting David Byrne at my gig in New York?  Hearing my first single for the first time on Radio 1 in the King Tuts car park?

Kowalskiy:  What would be your ideal gig? 

Colin:  An Tobar, my old school now a venue on Mull.

Kowalskiy:  In the past you've featured beloved family members and right honourable gentlemen in your music. If you could have anyone appear on one of your albums, who would it be? 

Colin:  Elvis.

Kowalskiy:  Last one! Are there any Scottish bands you're listening to at the moment? 

Colin:  I always go back to Belle & Sebastian.

One of the new songs that Colin has uploaded, Not Today, (free for pledgers) has 'MHS' written all over it!  If it's anything to go by, the new album is gonna be very good indeed.  Get pledging!

Cheers Colin, it's been a pleasure.