busybeeburns Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Despite their successful musical trajectory and chart-topping albums, Starsailor have always shied away from the glamour of the music industry. So it's not odd then that when I speak to the band's vocalist, James Walsh, there are cooing sounds in the background coming from his 3-month-old son. The English rock band are touring South Africa as part of an exchange with the UK, known as the Powerzone Unplugged Festival. "I'm very excited. South Africa is one of the few territories that we've not had the chance to visit yet. Anyone that's ever been there speaks very highly of the crowds out there and the beautiful weather." The band will play alongside The Parlotones over the next three weeks, who in return will play with Starsailor for their 2009 UK tour. "I went to see The Parlotones at a gig in London. They were good fun. The singer explained that he was a big fan and in the next few days the tour was tentatively agreed. The performance was … energetic is the word that springs to mind." The ardent Liverpool FC supporter was happy to announce that during the tour, the band will participate in a charity football match in Alexandra, where they will not only play in the match, but also perform an acoustic concert afterward. As to whether they're decent football players, Walsh replies: "Uhm, we're not bad, we're half decent, not decent. I'd say our bass player would say he's the best. If we go down well in South Africa, maybe we'll come back for the opening ceremony of the World Cup," he jokes. "When we do the football match, Vusi Massasella? Mahlasela? (much trouble with his surname), he's going to play with us on that day as well." After a three-year wait, Starsailor will release their new album, All the Plans, in February next year. It was produced by Steve Osborne, who worked with them on their debut album, Love is Here, and it features Ronnie Wood (The Rolling Stones) on guitar. "It's more of a return to our original sound. There are a lot of really good ballads on it there. Our last album was more of a rock record, whereas this is back to the acoustic, piano-driven, emotional sound." Starsailor were one of the first bands to pioneer the sound that was later adopted by Coldplay and Snow Patrol. I ask how he feels about that. "In terms of Coldplay, to be fair, they came out around the same time. It would be rude of us to say you copied our sound," he laughs. "But Snow Patrol, if you've heard their early records, it's very different to the sound of their last couple. "I think they've taken a bit of Coldplay, a bit of Elbow, and maybe a little bit of our sound and used it to make successful music, so yeah, good luck to them." So you don't think Chris Martin deserves to be punched in the face or anything like that? He laughs and answers definitely not. However, "my only complaint about Coldplay is that sometimes they're a little bit too apologetic. "They should just enjoy their success and their fame and not worry so much about what the critics think. I think they're a bit paranoid." With regards to the death of the indie rock scene at the moment, he replies: "I think it's pretty exciting at the moment that bands like the Tings Tings have come out with a refreshing sound compared to all the white boy rock. It's good to see that strong female voices are coming to the fore again. "Shame about Amy though, but at least we've got Duffy and Adele to keep us going while she gets her act together." He admits, though, that currently he loves the new Fleet Foxes album. And with that he adds: "I'd better carry on dressing this little baby boy." Sweet. Today to Sunday: The Barnyard Theatre, Cresta. Tel: 011-280-4370 (sold out). Monday: The Barnyard Theatre, Broadacres. Tel: 011-467-6983. October 22: Montecasino. Tel: 011-340-8000. October 24: Emperors Palace. Tel: 011-340-8000. October 25: The Barnyard Theatre, Willowbridge, Cape Town. Tel: 021-914-8898. October 27 and 28: The Barnyard Theatre, Gateway, Durban. Tel: 031-566-3045. http://tonight.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4661670&fSectionId=449&fSetId=251 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishSilk Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Aww, he sounds a sweetie. Thanks , Ian ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc_squared Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 As I've said before, the critics need to be ignored. The album sales, sell-out concerts worldwide and all the awards and accolades speak for themselves.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimixxx Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 "Does Chris Martin need a punch in the face?" What a question. :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc_squared Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 "Does Chris Martin need a punch in the face?" What a question. :lol: Maybe he deserves one for asking it!!:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aleluvscp Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 I like the fact that they're paranoid :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nvdmm Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 "Starsailor were one of the first bands to pioneer the sound that was later adopted by Coldplay and Snow Patrol." now that is really annoying! i find it very rude when their stupid writer says coldplay adopted Starsailor's sound! that is just out of order. first of all, this is the first time i've heard this band's name and secondly, coldplay was formed in 1997, whereas starsailor was formed in 2000!!!! so how could that possibly be?!! its clearly the other way round. coldplay paved the way for bands such as them or keane or snow patrol. get a life Mrs. Atiyyah Khan or whatever ur name is! and i suggets you go out a bit more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majgirl Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 I agree their too paranoid about what thier reviews. Its not as if its reflected in album sales. I have to say I've never seen another band give so much credence to what those idiots have to say before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long Live Life Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 As I've said before, the critics need to be ignored. The album sales, sell-out concerts worldwide and all the awards and accolades speak for themselves.;) Chris is an extremely bright, thoguhtful and deep person, and like all highly intelligent people he worries too much. I guess it's in his nature recentlly. If only we could tell him how much his music is loved.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobalt Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 <Four to the Floor3 That said, I agree with the person above me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pris Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Chris is an extremely bright, thoguhtful and deep person, and like all highly intelligent people he worries too much. I guess it's in his nature recentlly. If only we could tell him how much his music is loved.. i think that's what we're trying to do with the Postcards From Far Away Project!!!!! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobalt Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 i think that's what we're trying to do with the Postcards From Far Away Project!!!!! ;) That is a SHAMEFUL PLUG sir Please try better next time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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