Music > Interviews
Sleaford Mods
27/04/15
Jason from hard hitting duo Sleaford Mods has got himself a bit of a reputation for being pretty frank about his strong opinions on the music industry, other bands and his life in a Northern town. He’s said in the past that Alex Turner has no rock ‘n’ roll left in him, and called Bono a massive see you next Tuesday. This duo consists of Jason Williamson, lyricist and vocalist, and Andrew Fearn, who writes the music; a sort of furious Pet Shop Boys, if you like. Their music? Ranting over the sound of chaos. It’s really good, genuine stuff and Sleaford Mods offer not only a stand up challenge to popular music in 2015 but also the sort of sounds and words that are brave enough to cut through layers of society and actually teach us a thing or two. They might just be your new favourite band. I spoke to Jason about his music and his life.
Can you describe your music to us please?
Minimal electronica. Punk. Mod. Rap.
What’s Sleaford like?
It's a small market town in Lincolnshire. Quiet. Hard.
You’ve had seven albums out within seven years. Are you constantly writing songs or do they all come in one big splurge?
I constantly write stuff as that's the only way for me. I sometimes have a break after each album, such as now. It tends to come back sooner or later though.
Who do you enjoy listening to?
At the moment it's Bert Yansch, Raekwon and Dexy's Midnight Runners.
You were in quite a bad situation back in the mid 2000’s with a coke habit and no money. What was it that made your life change?
It changed when I made attempts to iron out those things that were keeping me down. It still isn't perfect, but those days are gone in that old sense.
Have you always been a writer?
No. I only started in this sense seven years ago. I found it very easy, and way more expressive than the old style of traditional lyric writing.
Would you describe yourself as a poet?
No, I hate the word. People that call themselves poets are usually far fucking from it.
Who inspires you as a wordsmith?
No one really. I don't read stuff by classic poets or the like. I read more topical books I guess; I'm not sure if that inspires the writing.
There seems to be a trend for duo’s at present; Slaves and Royal Blood spring to mind. Would you ever consider adding to your line up?
If it meant not being lumped in with those posers than yeah I'd get a full band going!
You’ve only just given up your job working at the Council, I believe. How did that feel, to be able to do that?
It was a massive anti climax to be honest. I kind of miss its routine and safety. Making music full time is a skill I'm only just beginning to learn. It's hard work.
I think it’s interesting that there are so many more spoken word/ rap artists in music who have a Northern or London accent, compared to those with a middle or even upper class accent. Why do you think that might be the case?
The more comfortable members of society are, they’re not going to shit on their own gardens are they? They have no major need to deal with their anguish in a commentary sense.
I get a thrill from your music that is rare to feel these days; it’s brutal and honest, and feels entirely necessary. However, I’m a woman from middle class Norwich. Do you have a certain type of person in mind when you write?
No. My experiences have mostly been cut on the shop floor, in the world of unskilled labour and the like, so the content is heavily laden with echoes from those environments. This music is for everyone, I'll leave the day tripping leftist sentiments to other folk.
Do you write to educate others or more to exorcise the feelings from yourself?
I write to get it out, to expel the frustration.
To what extent is your live show a stage performance or you as a person?
It’s both; it's got to be funny too. That's important.
Which of your lyrics are you most proud of writing?
"All you chinny wine tasters die in boxes like the rest of us wasters". That's off the new album from a tune called Bronx in a Six.
Sleaford Mods play at The Waterfront on 14th May. Tickets from www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk