Martin Cohen of Nine Black Alps & Milk Maid has a chat

Hello Martin and how the devil are you today?

A little stiff.  Going for a swim soon so that might help.

You are based in Manchester, still the capital of music in England?

erm, I’ve got no idea!  There are some really good bands here at the moment but that's the same everywhere if you know where to look.  We’re still waiting for a good guitar shop.

How and when did you decide to make music your career and with what hopes/aim?

it's kinda just happened.  I finished a course at university and then Nine Black Alps got signed a couple of months later so it wasn't really a decision.  after the last Nine Black Alps tour we did we didn't know what the band would be doing next and I wanted to keep playing music and the only way I could do that was by starting to write songs myself, so Milk Maid kinda happened by default.  Initially I just wanted to write a few songs and maybe get a live thing together.  Now I’m slowing thinking about getting another album done.

‘Mostly No’ is your second album in 12 months. Are you already working on the third or are you taking a breather?

I’m always writing bits here and there but I’m a fairly slow writer.  I put myself under a lot of pressure doing ‘Mostly No’, wanting to get it out before the summer and with people leaving the band and me having to record a lot of it by myself and things breaking all combined to help make it a pretty stressful experience that lasted for about 4 months.  I want to try and have a bit more fun at the moment and treat myself better than I have been doing, there's no real reason to send myself crazy rushing into another album. Like I said I’m always writing so I’m just collecting songs at the moment and not putting too much pressure on myself to churn another album out.  

Is it true that you recorded and mixed the new album in your flat? If so, do you have very understanding neighbours?

We did the drums and bass in different practice rooms and then most of the other stuff in my flat. there are only 4 flats in my building and they're above a jazz club so it's noisy anyway.  Also the guy next door playing techno and show tunes till the am so f*ck it.

Any thoughts about forming a permanent band or is there one already?

I’ve always wanted it to be a band but it's never seemed to have stuck.  Most people I’ve played with are in their mid to late 20s which is when people start settling down and start falling out of music.  There have been a few line ups that I’ve hoped would stick and the current one is no different. 

For new bands just staring out what do you recommend, the DIY indie approach or, find yourself a label?

For me, and what we went through in nine black Alps, I always try and do as much as possible myself.  Partly because it's hard to get things to the place I want them if someone else is behind the wheel, I feel too guilty nagging them all the time to change things here and there so I might as well do it myself.  But also, I want to have all the tools at my disposal so when someone decides to stop putting my music out I can carry on producing it to a standard I’m happy with.  Milk Maid is as much about learning how to record as it is about song writing.

School/College days; what was the hot music exchanged and do those artists carry any influence on your music today.

The main two bands I was into at school where the Hellacopters and Backyard Babies.  The Hellacopters have loads of good albums but the Backyard Babies only had one called ‘Total 13’ but it was a life changer.  I just started listening to them again for the first time in a few years and they're still ace.

Did your parent’s record collection reveal any gems for you music career today?

I don't actually think my parents owned any music.  They certainly never played any around the house.

When in the tour van, who drives to the gig, who chooses the music in the van and have you found the best place to eat on tour?

I and Sam (Alder, bass player) have been sharing the driving but it's normally the first person to get their ipod plugged in get to decide on the sound track.  Foods the worst/best part of being on tour…as long as it doesn't involve triangular sandwiches from a cooler I’m normally happy…it normally does though.  It’s really hard to find good Mexican food in the UK but there are a few good ones we know about and try and visit.  There’s a surprisingly good one in Edinburgh.

Back in the Seventies bands would have a few bottles of Jack Daniels on stage with them; today it all seems to be water. What are you Whisky, Water or?????

A warm bottle of Becks

fatcat records