Back with a bang after a lengthy hiatus (it’s more than a decade since their last long player, Gravity Pulls), Echobelly‘s excellent new album will be released on November 17th and the band will be embarking on a UK tour shortly afterwards. It would only be right to do a 20 Questions with Sonya Madan, surely?
What was the best thing about the chart bothering “glory days” of Echobelly?
Hearing your own voice on the radio, a somewhat surreal experience.
What are you most looking forward to on tour?
The rider! Actually, the moments on stage where it gels together and band and audience connect.
Essential reading?
The Seth books by Jane Roberts
Who do you think were the best of the bands that were labelled ‘Britpop’?
Every band had its own vibration, it depends how you define Britpop and what it personally meant to you.
Best Echobelly B-side?
Hard choice, possibly the other songs on our first EP, Bellyache, which included ‘Sleeping Hitler’ and ‘I Don’t Belong Here’.
Best B-side by another artist?
(Unanswered! And when questions go unanswered, I answer the damn thing myself, so I’m going to pick ‘Why‘ by The Specials, whether Sonya likes it or not…) – Albums Ed
Ultimate dream (fantasy)?
Today it would be a litter of kittens all to myself!
Ultimate dream (achievable)?
Being happily and profoundly normal (an underrated virtue)
How do you like to relax?
Alcohol.
Desert Island Disc?
Couldn’t decide so closed my eyes and pulled something out of the shelf – it was Saturday Night Fever!!
What makes you happy?
Happiness is the road to happiness.
Favourite track on the new album?
I change my mind every time. Today it’s ‘Anarchy And Alchemy‘.
A song you wish you’d written?
‘Born Slippy‘ by Underworld. Heard it the other day and thought it was ‘spoken word’ genius.
Anything from your past which makes you grimace now?
Being supposedly quoted, out of all proportion, in music paper interviews.
Ever been arrested?
Yes
Dream collaboration?
Glenn Johansson
Best ever holiday?
USA with my sister as teenage girls.
Great Things (about the present)?
It’s all speeding up and accessible.
What you deserve (in your humble opinion)?
Love – truly, madly, deeply.
Next moves?
UK tour in November
…and here are those November dates in full. Make sure you catch them at one of these:
21st Wolverhampton – The Slade Rooms
23rd Newcastle – O2 Academy 2
24th Glasgow – King Tut’s
26th Liverpool Arts Club
27th London Scala
29th Brighton Scala
30th Bristol Fleece
