The Sheffield Scenester

The Sheffield Scenester managed to catch-up with Neil just before his 'secret' hour long set at the Porter Brook pub on Ecclesall Road Sheffield (15/7/10). To be honest...Thursdays at The Porter Brook are becoming quite an event and very popular with a mixed bag of adults who enjoy the simple yet quality music they have on the night. Neil dazzled the crowd with his complex yet melodic acoustic set....But don’t worry if you missed him last night, he has quite a few more gigs lined up; including tomorrow’s Abbeydale Road Picture House gig, various sets at Tramlines and in September he’s at the Library Theatre....Each promising to be as good as last night’s performance!

So with beers in hand...after his soundcheck, we asked him a few questions....

Sheffield Scenester: Previously you've released 'Remember To Smile' in 2006, which spawned the critically acclaimed single 'Postcards' and you've not so long ago released a second album 'Shoreline' (released October last year) what’s next on the agenda for you?

Neil McSweeney: Well, I'm gradually building up material for another record. Going about it in a similar way to the previous albums. Gradually chipping away at lyrics then demoing up and working on arrangements. I'm also working on a show at The Library Theatre which takes place on 18 September. I've put a bill together I'm really proud of by bringing back Jonny Kearney & Lucy Farrell and my friend Jacob Fletcher. These guys are the real deal. And we're going to do something a bit special with our set too. All takes a bit of planning though.

Sheffield Scenester: You're a well respected local singer songwriter, where do you find inspiration for your songs?

Neil McSweeney: It's very kind of you to say so! Inspiration for songs generally comes from the lives of people around me or from stories or even out of certain places...bus stops, hills, parks. I think as much as anything that's just because there's time to think in these places. And time, thought and a bit of energy is all you need to make a song.

Sheffield Scenester: What’s your opinion regarding the music industry?

Neil McSweeney: I no longer have one single fixed opinion about the music industry. It's changing all the time at the moment. I suppose I could sum it up by saying that it is of secondary importance. There has been the odd moment where I've found myself getting interested in the workings of the music biz...but there's always been time to pull back from the brink. Now I'm pretty much of the opinion that if you want to keep making music and to derive satisfaction and pleasure from it then you need to develop a way of keeping the industry side of things at arms length. But then, what do I know?

Sheffield Scenester: The local music scene...?

Neil McSweeney: Music making in Sheffield seems to be healthy enough. It could always do with even greater diversity or at least equal profile for the different music being made here. I think Tramlines helps a little with that but we could do with more. I think Sheffield is a reasonably good place to make music. Good enough for sure. There aren't huge numbers of quality players around and so those that there are get busy quickly. People often seem only to want to work on one or perhaps two musical projects at once. If I compare this to the scene in Austin Texas, where a friend lives, it's very different. Musicians there are constantly playing in numerous different set ups crossing various genres. As a result, they get to be better players more quickly.

I think I've also noticed a slight dwindling of audience numbers at the few little shows I've been to recently. It's a straight fact that the audience makes the gig. If people stop going to little shows then the scene will die and the door money isn't the most important reason. It takes energy to rehearse up a set, to put a show on etc. The audience put that spent energy back.

Sheffield Scenester: Who do you admire? Any advice to new up and coming bands/musicans?

Neil McSweeney: For what little it's worth, one piece of advice to young musicians would be to think of music as something you can give to the world. A gift. In my humble opinion this attitude will make it much more likely that you'll feel rewarded for your efforts. But again, what do I know? When I joined my first band I wanted to be famous and get girls. And although now I've got her it's a genuine relief that we can get round the supermarket without fear of being papped, I really do admire the big, commercially successful acts who've come out of Sheffield and they do help me to feel a little pride for my city. And if I'm honest a part of me does envy the glory. My advice to young musicians? Just go for your life.

Sheffield Scenester: How did you get involved with the Abbeydale Road Picture house gig...does this have a particular meaning to you?

I'm really looking forward to this one. I've done a couple of Boardwalk shows this year after spending many moons away from the place...and have got to know a chap called Joolz Vernon who works there. He's a promoter and approached me about bringing my band along to play a fund raiser for the Picturehouse. To be honest, the main attraction was that in 27 years of going up and down Abbeydale road past the place, I've never been in.

Sheffield Scenester: And you're involved with Tramlines...what’s your view on this? Looking forward to it?

Neil McSweeney: I am looking forward to Tramlines. Since the last album came out I've consciously limited my live work. I've been lucky enough to be invited along for some great out of town stuff as support for Richard Hawley, amongst other things, but in Sheffield I've booked and promoted my own gigs. This means I've only played three home town shows since Autumn 2009. But for this month I thought - Let's accept a few offers. So I'm doing three solo acoustic sets over the Tramlines weekend. I really enjoyed it last year. I played the Rude Shipyard on Abbeydale road and had such a good time that I'm back there this year. It was really good to see large numbers of people out and about enjoying the city and getting to hear some music that was new to them.

With that...we thanked Neil for his time and let him carry on preparing for the nights entertainment.

Interview: Gail Buckthorpe
Photos (Above) Tracey Welch (Below) Geoff Buckthorpe