The Levellers

 
As usual it’s mainly the times we live in. This album was written over quite a long period though so it’s breadth of scope is wider than we we’ve attempted before; all the writers bring a different perspective... we hit all the points we wanted to
 
How does it feel to still be so popular after over thirty years, did you ever envisage that when you started out?
 
No! Haha we were only twenty odd then, didn’t think beyond the next gig let alone a lifetime into the future... is v humbling that folks still dig what we do. We were all let down by our heroes and bands we liked before we were in the group- we swore we’d never be like that. We said we’d stay in touch with our audience if we were lucky to get one... that has paid off in the long term, thankfully! 
 
How do you feel about the direction the UK is heading at the moment?
 
Kinda angry... it’s all in the record!
 
What do you find the difference between the crowds as you travel around the regions?
 
To be honest there’s not much difference, folks come to have a good time- so do we, channelling the usual chaos. People are pretty similar the world over 
 
When you have been to Norwich, was there anything you liked in particular?
 
Norwich... Alan Partridge! He used to stage dive at our shows at the Waterfront haha!!
 
What other artists do you listen to? 
 
At the moment I’m listening to Kano’s Hoodies all Summer, Arctic Monkeys AM and Neil Young Decade
 
Do you have any favourites past or present?
 
Clash, Public Enemy, Neil Young, Led Zeppelin, Christie Moore and more recently Wolf People, King Gizzard + The Wizard Lizard 
 
What do you like to do in your spare time (if you get much of that)?
 
Well I do the bands artwork so I’m painting pictures but I also study early medieval history, mainly the Irish church... weighty stuff haha!
 
Was it difficult to adapt the approach to your fanbase as the digital age took over?
 
No. We were always into data sets - communication. Like I said about keeping in touch with followers... we got online early and went with it. Sony came to us to learn how to do data sets for their indie labels!
 
What do you think have been the main changes in the music industry from your perspective in that time? 
 
The main thing is when we started the music industry was all about making records, selling them was where the money was. Now though all the money is in live performance - completely the opposite of 30 years ago... it’s been an interesting transition - we seen plenty come and go...

 
Do you think it’s made things easier or more difficult for new artists trying to get their break?
 
it’s easier now in that the internet provides a platform to get a new band potentially seen by thousands or more people, but that’s also the problem because there’s just so much more new music out there! Technology has made music more easily available than ever + anyone can afford to do it, which is great. But the corollary of that is the market is saturated -The platform is there but it’s hard to get noticed....but I s’pose it always has been.
 
Are there any songs in your set that you really enjoy playing live?
 
All of ‘em! 
 
Do you have any favourite films or TV shows to relax to?
 
The Expanse is easily my fave tv show now GoT finished and the new Top Boy but for relaxing it’s reruns of Time Team for me! 
 
What car(s) do you drive now (if any) and what was your first car?
 
I don’t own a car. I got a good bicycle! I did live in an old truck back in the day, a dodge crew carrier previously owned by British Rail. Perkins Diesel engine! That was the last vehicle I owned