TLOBF Interview :: Kris Drever

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With the release of his second solo album Mark the Hard Earth, Catriona Boyle catches up with Kris Drever. And we’ve got an exclusive MP3 from the album for your listening pleasure.

What inspired the new album?
Deadlines and a desire to play with all the great people on it, such a talented and inspirational bunch. It’s a bit like going for lessons.

Where was it recorded?
Half in North Berwick and half in Yorkshire.

Do you find it difficult to write songs that are ‘yours’ as opposed to songs for Lau or Drever/McCusker Woomble?
No, they’re all different processes and involve different people, I find it easier to write with other people than entirely on my own but that remains true of any project.

With such a wealth of folk material available, how do you decide on what you’d like to cover?
Cover is a poor choice of word in this tradition, the folk singers of the world probably prefer to interpret. It’s strange how some people “cover” things and others despite never singing their own songs are unquestioningly accepted. That aside I just choose based on what moves me and what I think I can do a believable job of.

You’re performing at the Orkney Folk Festival in May. What’s it like going back home now you’ve had such success nationally and internationally – do people treat you differently?
No, most people have absolutely no interest in my career and those that do would shun me at the first hint of a big heid. Orkneys one of the greatest places in my life and it always gives me peace, a sense of belonging and loads and loads of fun, festival time is party time. You should come.

Unlike Black Water, which had a couple of instrumental medleys, there are no instrumental tracks on the new CD. Is this a change in direction or just how the album worked out?
I do plenty instrumental music in my life and Ian Carr and I did actually record a piece for this album it just didn’t seem to sit, we’ll find a place for it eventually.

What projects do you have planned for 2010, recording? Touring?
Lau have just made an e.p with Karine Polwart and are touring the world as usual, I’ll be touring “solo”in between times and there are a few other projects that I cannot yet divulge.

(This is a bit of a geeky one for a friend!) Who makes your guitars?
Alister Atkin of Canterbury.

Why do you think you and John McCusker work so well together?
We’re good mates and he’s very patient.

You and your contemporaries are often be said to dragging folk music into the 21st century, making it more accessible and seem less archaic. Was this something you set out to do with or music or just developed with your playing?
It’s not an intentional thing and actually it’s just one of those generic quotes like the “it’s not all beards and wooly jumpers” line. We’re not dragging anything anywhere we’re just making music that we love cos we want to hear it and play it. Genres are just lines in sand.

Kris Drever: The Call & The Answer