In Conversation with Scott from Haight-Ashbury

Hi and how are you enjoying being back out on the road? 

We love it! last year was good for us as far as getting exposure in a lot more countries but we didn't get to really appreciate it until we got to start gigging again so the last few months have been great to be back out and playing and seeing all these places.

How would you personally describe the music on your second album? 

It picks up where we left off in the first. The first album we put a lot of emphasis on it playing as one piece. This time we did it in a much shorter time so its more about each individual song which allowed us to bring in a few other sounds and instruments, for example we got the chance to use a few of our piano songs. The album design for 'The Ashburys' was initially going to be a sitar and telecaster forming a cross. We ditched that but i think it represents the sound.

Any new instrumentation or effect used in the studio on this record that was new to you? 

Mainly the piano tracks, although we also brought a bit more of a folk aspect that wasn't on the first. Bert Jansch and pentangle are big influences on us and on 'Ta wit Ta woo' the acoustic folk guitar hints at this. Also some of the melodies on ''2nd Hand Rose''use an English folk aspect on top of a grungy back drop. Although we always got described as a ''folk'' band we had never really stuck to acoustic picking in this way, its always been more bluesy so its nice to branch out.

Where was the album recorded and were the sessions all 'Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street' or, more 9 to 5? 

It was recorded on a home studio in Scotland similar to the first and mastered in London. We're always all over the place as far as how and when we go about it. Our first album was recorded literally during gaps between split shifts at work or days off over a long period of time. So never any urgency but at the same time we never had too long to spend on the tracks. This time we had the autumn to get it done before the gigs started again and we wanted to have a new album to put out. A lot of the time the three of us aren't together, so we'll organise how to go about tracks and song structures in the rehearsals then get on with it whenever we get a chance. Then get together to finalise a track and start on another. We rarely get enough time to really relax and have fun recording so we keep that for tours! 

Everyone has a record in their collection that makes the hair on the back of their neck stand up when they play it. What's yours?

Joni Mitchell 'Blue' blows me away every time. The quality of songs and her playing throughout is amazing. Also Jeff Buckley 'Grace'. I think the albums more about the production and style and great song choice, its faultless. Both those albums vocal wise are stunning.

What's the favourite, studio,Concert Hall or, festival stage and why? 

Last winter was our first chance to really start gigging outside the UK. Two of those gigs still stand out as our favourites, the Wavves festival in Vienna was our favourite gig at that stage, it was on a boat and the stage was right on the floor so everyone was right on top of us, made it really intense and created a great sound. The other side was Le Trans Musicale Festival in France in December, It was the biggest stage we'd played at that point in a brilliant venue so it also stood out for us.

How did you all come to be in a band and what's a good piece of advice for people just deciding to take the same route 

 Myself and Kirsty are brother and sister and Jen is Kirstys childhood friend. In our late teens we were all in different bands but through a series of circumstances we filled in for other people and ended up playing together. We loved the sound instantly so quit our other projects and started Haight Ashbury. AT the start we played everywhere and anywhere. Glasgow’s great for that, there's always somewhere to play and at times we were playing 4/5 gigs a week easy. We felt that made all the difference, instead of worrying about how many people you play to it was always more important that we were playing to new people that had never heard us before. Hopefully that worked.

What have you decided is the best media platform for keeping in touch with your fans? 

It took us a while to fully come around to but it has to be the internet. Particularly at the start myspace was great for us, that's how we met our record label. Now facebook/twitter is the best way to keep in touch and youtube for getting your music across.

What's the last place you turned up to play and went 'WOW'?  

In our January European tour we played 'Haus der Musik' in Vienna. Ten mins before we went on they told us it was sold out and we had no idea. It was our first sold out headline show so that blew us away! it was only the second time we had been there.

If you could choose any band to tour with, who would it be? 

I hate it when people are really obscure with these answers but there is an Australian band called 'Tame Impala' that we love just now, so I’d pick them. Think they're massive in Australia so that would give us an excuse to go! We’ve never been! 

Scott. Haight-Ashbury

23/02/2012    Gwdihw - Cardiff 

25/02/2012    Fibbers - York

26/02/2012    Hebden Bridge - Trades Club

02/03/2012    Birmingham - Hare & Hounds 

03/03/2012    Brighton - Green Door Store

06/03/2012    Oxford - The Cellar

07/03/2012    Edinburgh - Sneaky Pete's

08/03/2012    Glasgow - Captain's Rest

09/03/2012    Halifax - Dog House

10/03/2012    London – Club Surya

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