Live Talking - Copy Haho

Quite the talk of indie town north of the border, Stonehaven foursome Copy Haho have refined their pop-savvy sound over the past year or so, gradually becoming one of the most potential-laden acts to come to prominence in 2009.

The band – namely Joe Hearty, Rikki Will, Richard Scott and Stuart McIntosh – released their sublime ‘Bred For Skills & Magic’ EP via Big Scary Monsters a couple of months back, and Clash was suitably bowled over by the infectious melodies and lyrical invention on display. Sure to appeal to anyone with a sense of rhythm, and fun, the band’s M.O. seems to be the distilling of classical indie influences to create something that’s of pleasantly lingering resonance. In other words: you’ll play it, then again, then again. And so forth.

Find the EP reviewed HERE. Prior to the band’s headline set at the Clash Saturday Social on April 25 – also featuring Calories and Pulled Apart By Horses; find full details of the free-entry London gig HERE – Richard and Joe answered our Live Talking questions…

Because they’re nice like that. Find Pulled Apart By Horses answering some remarkably similar questions right HERE.

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Are you a band that records to tour, or that tours to record? Or do you not see the two as separate parts of what you do?
Joe: I don't really see recording and playing live as two separate activities. Whether we're making really bad live demos in a rehearsal room or recording in a studio, it's all so tightly linked that if feels more like one big lump of energy. I guess I'm more concerned with recording great records than playing 350 shows a year but, if possible, both would be nice.

Do you feel you translate well as a live act, perhaps better than on record, or have live shows been a bigger learning process than writing/recording?
Joe: I think we're a little more 'rock band' live - and that's largely down to the fact we're fairly restricted by our number of limbs/instruments.
We're also a little sloppier live, but not by much. Most of our songs to date have been finished in a rehearsal room rather than a studio, so I suppose playing them live has always felt slightly more natural.

To date, what show stands out in your memory as the best you’ve played?
Joe: I don't think we've ever played so unbelievably well that it's shocked us. Some shows are better than others, but in general, if an audience is really receptive then I have a good time!
Richard: I don't know if we played well in particular, but last year we played with Sebadoh, then two days later played with Dirty Projectors. As they're both two of my absolute favourite bands, it's understandably a memorable weekend. Saw RZA that weekend too, though we obviously didn't play that show, unfortunately.

What’s the best show (by another band) that you’ve been to? Perhaps not ever, but certainly of late…
Joe: Dirty Projectors in Aberdeen last year. I've never seen anything like it - they played with such ease! Everyone in the room had their mouths wide open; I remember thinking: “What's the point in playing music anymore?” Definitely the best show I saw last year.
Richard: Ever? BB King and Wilco, tied. Recently? Marble Valley were really fun.

And what about the worst show? By yourselves… is there a venue/town you’ll happily never return to?
Joe: I can't think of anywhere I'd hate to go back to, which I guess is a pretty positive thing to say! (Who knew I had it in me!?). Hopefully the worst is yet to come!

Say you’ve the budget to put on your ultimate four-band bill, featuring yourselves – who plays and in what order? No bringing anyone back from the dead, here, but defunct bands can count.
Richard: BB King solo set, Hüsker Dü, Life Without Buildings and Slayer. We'd pull out and BB King would be a last-minute addition to the bill.

How does the band keep itself entertained on the road? Any bus games you break out for motorway gridlock?
Richard: A recent game goes like this: connect phone to car/van stereo with tape adaptor thing. Withhold your number, and work your way through your phonebook. As the phone is ringing you've to guess (through impersonations) how the recipient will answer the call. It's surprising how different people sound when they think they're being called by a stranger.

What tips would you give a new band about to embark on their first ‘proper’ tour?
Richard: Don't waste money on Travelodges or hotel rooms unless you absolutely have to - there's nearly always someone that'll put you up, and they'll normally give you breakfast (hint!) and might have a good CD collection you can rip to your laptop. Other than that... replace any thoughts of 'rock star' with 'common sense' and you'll be on the right path.

Have you listened to the other acts playing on April 28? Thoughts?
Richard: We played with Pulled Apart By Horses in Glasgow, so will be good to see those guys again! Haven't seen Calories before, but glad this is being rectified as I really love 'Adventuring'.

Find Copy Haho's YouTube channel HERE for more video stuff.

The ‘Bred For Skills & Magic’ EP is out now, and is reviewed HERE. Find Copy Haho on MySpace HERE and get all the details you’ll ever need for the April 25 Clash Saturday Social HERE.

Photo: Martin Traynor