Ahead of their gig at Belladrum 2019, David MacGregor of Broken Chanter answers a few questions for IGigs.
Broken Chanter ,which was described by Is This Music? as “surely the Scottish indie supergroup precision-tooled to beat the world”, is the brainchild of David MacGregor (Kid Canaveral). Broken Chanter’s eponymous debut album is due in September 2019 and is being released by Last Night From Glasgow & Olive Grove Records. We were delighted when David answered a few questions from us.
You have ten words to describe your act, no more no less…
Existential horror delivered over the top of some class tunes.
As an act how has 2019 been for you so far?
Really good. Been doing a bunch of shows and festivals to get people used to the new name and in preparation for the album coming out in September. It’s been a pleasure to take a whole raft of new songs out on the road and get folk’s initial reactions to them.
How important is playing Belladrum for you?
Very. It’s a great pleasure to play in the Highlands and Belladrum has a wonderful atmosphere and a beautiful setting. It’s great to have the potential to connect with so many folk. One set of great-grandparents were from Rosemarkie, so I spent a lot of time in and around the Black Isle when I was wee, so it’s always nice to be near the Fortrose metropolitan area.
If your set only consisted of three songs, which ones would they be and why?
Should We Be Dancing? Wholesale and Free Psalm. Two singles and the closer from the record – gives an idea of the broad range of sounds on the album. Bangers.
The Seedlings stage has seen several bands that have been promoted through the bill at Belladrum, where do you see yourselves in five year’s time, and what will help you in your journey?
i) Fighting fascists for tinned goods on an irradiated wasteland.
ii) Garden tools.
Which other acts on the Seedlings bill would you recommend people see this year?
I’m very much looking forward to Chuchoter.
Given the sci-fi theme of Belladrum 2019, construct your band with sci-fi characters?
Me: I’ve asked everyone to replace themselves with a sci-fi character, in their own words… I’d be Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy – most folk have no idea what I’m saying and my dancing is pretty wooden.
Jill: Alana from Saga – She defected from the military, rejected blind nationalism to be with her “enemy”, is anti-royalty, is on the run from an intergalactic cast of powerful cunts who profit from war, has wings and can fly, has an incredible haircut and breastfed while travelling through space in a tree.
Gav: Chief Galen Tyrol from Battlestar Galactica. An underdog spirit that’s sometimes self-defeating, he makes many mistakes but he has solid principles and is very loyal. He organises the guerrilla resistance to the Cylon occupation and organises a general strike of the workers on the engineering ship.
Audrey: The Invisible (wo)Man. Sci-fi’s not really my thing…
Star Trek or Star Wars?
Star Wars. But I’d have to apply selective memory to blot out the prequels…and Kylo Ren.
Time travel or teleportation?
Teleportation – time travel never really goes particularly well, does it? Wouldn’t mind being able to ditch Scotland in November for sunnier climes, in mere seconds.
You are allowed to time travel to one gig, which one is it?
The second Sex Pistols gig in 1976 at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester. Not for the gig, just so I could stop Mick Hucknall getting in and being inspired towards a career in music.
Your band can soundtrack one sci-fi film, which one would it be?
I’d love to have a bash at Silent Running. Could help us all get used to the planet earth becoming and uninhabitable husk.
Coolest Sci-fi character?
Dr Manhattan. So cool, he’s indifferent to humanity.
What invention would you like to see a reality in the future?
I’m not telling you until my patent has been approved.
Broken Chanter plays Seedling Stage, Belladrum 2019 on Friday 2nd August at 7.45pm.
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