Following on from the release of their highly-praised sophomore LP ‘The Land Belongs To Us’, Hector Gannet recently returned with the new three-track collection ‘Emmanuel Head’.
Featuring the opening song of their recent full-length and title-track of EP, ‘Emmanuel Head’, as well as two live renditions of ‘Last Of The Buffalo’ and ‘Waiting For The Whistle’, this new collection makes for a compelling listen from start to finish. Including ‘Waiting For The Whistle’, which was recorded during their support slot for Sam Fender’s recent St. James Park show, they continue to mesmerise throughout this new release.
So with the new collection available now, we sat down with lead singer Aaron Duff to find out more about his origins and influences over the years.
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
From as early as I can remember I wanted to play the guitar. I think I was about 10 when I got my first nylon string and I was completely besotted with it, it just became my ‘thing’ and gave me a bit of an identity I suppose, probably the first thing I knew I was any good at.
What was the first band or artist you enjoyed when you were younger?
I have a distinct memory of sitting in the back of the car and my dad playing a Rolling Stones best of, that’s probably my earliest memory of properly enjoying music.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I remember finding ‘Let There Be Rock’ by AC/DC on CD in a filing cabinet, it was scratched to bits so it would skip all the time and the last 3 songs didn’t play at all (it was another year or so before I actually heard the full album) but I was properly hooked, I knew every line and I could even sing the guitar solos. The first record I bought with my own money though was London Calling. Still obsessed with The Clash!
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
‘Wichita Lineman’. It’s untouchable.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
There’s so many. Really love Lisa O’Neil, I heard ‘Old Note’ on 6 Music and it stopped me in my tracks. Listening to a lot of north-east based artists, Bugman, TV Death, The Early Purple, Maius Mollis… All amazing in their own right.
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
I don’t think I’d want to relive anything actually, always onto the next thing! There have definitely been some very high moments though, these last couple of years in particular.. selling out Hall Two at The Sage Gateshead, opening the show for Sam Fender at St James’ Park as well as some amazing support slots with Sea Power, Pete Doherty and Richard Thompson, touring in the US, and taking part in a writing retreat with Tom Robinson! It’s been pretty amazing!
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
Tough question! There’s so many amazing artists around at the minute.. Big Thief? They were the first band to really pull me in in a long time, I remember hearing Shark Smile a few years ago and instantly wanting to hear more, the versatility of their music is really inspiring.
And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?
Another really tough question. There isn’t anyone who immediately springs to mind, I haven’t done a lot of collaborating, writing has always been a very private process for me, it usually has to be a finished song before I’ll consider showing it to anyone. I’ve been writing a bit with Dave Hull Denholm from Lindisfarne recently though, and I’ve found it quite liberating in some ways, taking someone else’s ideas and building on them, and equally seeing your ideas take unexpected turns, you have to try and not be too precious about things. With that in mind it would probably be really interesting to collaborate with someone from a completely different musical background to me, just to see where it ended up.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Hearing people tell you what the music means to them. To know that you’ve created something that connects with people is really amazing. From a songwriter’s point of view it really doesn’t get much better than hearing an audience sing your songs back to you. You couldn’t ask for more than that, it’s complete recognition for your work and it gives you such a boost, every time it happens it knocks me for six, I don’t think I’d ever get used to that.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
It’s a total cliché, but always be yourself. It’s something I’m very conscious of, I just try to be as honest as possible with my art, it has to come from a real place otherwise I’m just not comfortable with it, and I think people appreciate that sincerity.
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Hector Garnet’s new collection ‘Emmanuel Head’ is available to stream now. Watch the new video for the title-track below.
