On Margate sands I can connect nothing with nothing
– TS Eliot
Margate is an almost forgotten part of the heritage which trails the British summertime. A holiday resort, it’s neglected state masks a sometimes hidden beauty.
Which is why Two Wounded Birds are both a surprise and an inevitability. Hailing from Margate, the quartet’s expertly constructed hymns have caused ripples of critical praise of late.
Releasing their self-titled debut album earlier this year, Two Wounded Birds are now toasting their success with a new single. ‘To Be Young’ is out now, and to celebrate we tracked Johnny Danger down to discuss literary tastes and influences.
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What is your favourite book and why?
My favourite book – popular choice – would be ‘The Alchemist’. Every time I read it, I’m reset, it gives me a fresh perspective on how my life’s going. I think it’s wonderful, calming and a great read.
What other authors do you like?
I have been reading books on Conspiracies, NASA conspiracies to be precise, by a guy called Richard Hoagland. It’s a fascinating insight backed up with substantial evidence that there is some kind of ancient ruins on the moon or evidence of an ancient civilization, it goes into other areas of the space program too, the book in question is called Dark Mission, but there’s another one called the Monuments of Mars. I like the works of Oscar Wilde, George Orwell and I have just started to read some Pasternak.
What draws you to certain books?
It’s hard to say, if I come across something and it feels right then…
Do your literary influences have a direct impact on your songwriting?
I think so. I think there is always an interesting way to say something or write words, and reading ignites that for me, the more I read, the better songwriter/lyricist I shall become.
What are you reading at the moment?
I have just started some Pasternak, but I’m halfway through a book on the Tin Pan Alley songwriting era.
What is the first book you remember reading as a child?
The first book I remember that I loved was ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’, it’s good for the imagination, something I don’t think people have time now to have.
Did you make good use of your library card as a child / teenager?
I remember borrowing some and then never returning to the library, but everybody has done that!
Have you ever found a book that you simply couldn’t finish?
Yeah, It’s a book called ‘DC Confidential’ by Christopher Meyer, he was a political ambassador, I keep starting it but never finishing it, it’s actually really interesting, i just seem to get distracted every time I start it.
Do you read book reviews?
Not really.
Would you ever re-read the same book?
Yes.
Do you read one book at a time or more than one?
I tend to start a few at the same time, this can lead to problems when picking up each different book though.
Is there an author / poet you would like to collaborate with?
No one I’d like to collaborate with but I would be keen to have a collection of poems and short stories out there.
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