If you’d had the chance to collaborate with musical geniuses like Thom Yorke and DJ Shadow, were the brains behind seminal record label Mo’Wax, and your first ever live show sold out almost instantaneously, you’d be the happiest man alive, right? Wrong…
Maybe it’s the dreary London skies, or the exasperation of interview after interview, but James Lavelle (aka, one-half of UNKLE with Richard File) isn’t the cheeriest interview subject. Talk of the recent Glastonbury Festival only reinforces this mood. “It was very muddy. It wasn’t very good. I was meant to be doing a live show, but I ended up playing a small set and playing quite late.”
UNKLE’s new album (‘War Stories’) and rehearsals have left Lavelle feeling overwhelmed, and rather than bask in the attention that the LP is creating, Lavelle admits he would prefer to stay in the background. “We’ve been rehearsing [for the live show] for the last few weeks,” Lavelle says. “It’s been a bit trial and error along the way. I’m trying not to think about it too much. It’s overwhelming. I just want to keep my head down,” Lavelle muses, seriously.
The live show in London was the first ever of a series that will continue throughout the European summer. “It’s pretty upbeat,” Lavelle explains. “There’s a full band. It’s quite rocky and very visually led. There’s a strong emphasis on lights and visuals.” Will it be primarily a showcase of the new album? “There’ll be a mix of tracks from the three albums. It’s going to show the audience how we get that across and how these songs work. It’s kind of a combination between Nine Inch Nails and what we’ve done,” he says wryly.
Sounds fantastic! Will his fans down under be able to sample some of this never-seen-before action? Possibly, he says. There are some plans to come to Australia. “We’re in talks about doing it in January,” he says mysteriously. Where? Big Day Out? Only time will tell. Lavelle isn’t giving much away.
‘War Stories’ new album came to life during a three month stint in the US. “It was very productive,” Lavelle says, “and a really good way of letting go.” Lavelle says the time spent in LA and the Joshua Tree Studio were appreciated because he needed to escape from London. “I wanted to get away, and I wanted to work with Chris Goss. (In London) it’s just difficult. I’ve always got a million things on. If you’re not there, people can’t get hold of you.”
The album has collaborations with the likes of Josh Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age) and 3D (Massive Attack). “Most of them are friends of mine,” he says of the collaborations. Did the recording run smoothly? “It was an organic process. Any record has its ups and downs. It was great, really good fun.” Part of the fun was Lavelle’s singing debut. Asked if this was an enjoyable experience, he says, “yeah, it was good fun. I was working with Chris and he encouraged it.”
Lavelle’s label Mo’Wax is now defunct, and so today he finds himself working under his new Surrender All imprint. Lavelle is unashamedly selfish about his label. He says he created it and uses it purely to have his music heard, and nobody else’s. “The label’s a platform. It’s there to put my albums out. I’m not putting other people on it for the time being.”
As if he hasn’t got enough on his plate, Lavelle also busies himself with a clothing label, which goes by the same moniker. “It’s finding its feet really. I’ve always worked with a lot of street brands. It’s starting to take shape. I’ve got a store in Singapore and one in London.” Asked where Lavelle’s creative side stems from, he says, “I’ve always been involved in making my own things. It’s always about creating your own things.”
An artist with so many projects on the go must be somewhat confused. Do UNKLE and Lavelle’s solo work become a mesh? “DJing is something that’s always been there,” reflects Lavelle. “Really where I’m focusing now is on UNKLE.” And, as has happened in the past, does he think the new album will receive the ‘famous guest overload’ criticism? “Of course,” he retorts bluntly. Not that he is interested. “I just make records.”
Luckily for him, they’re good ones.
UNKLE’s new album ‘War Stories’ is out now, released locally through Pod/Inertia. Rumours are abound that Lavelle will be touring the new UNKLE live act to Australia in January for the Big Day Out. Cross your fingers and stay tuned to ITM for updates!
Check out the awesome clip for the album’s first single ‘Burn My Shadow’ in ITM-TV HERE.
i_have_ADD says...
lavelle sounds like a grumpy bastard, i love it! lucky for him he makes such awesome music.
Shots says...
album is brilliant!