matt jones
the past
a few things to check. a great logo, an initially cool vibe, things at the start looked like you were on course for world domination, the band toured like troopers and the shows were stunning, but something didn't quite work out. (and people bought turin brakes instead - go figure) !)
were you happy with the reception/sales of 'resigned to life' ?
i was happy with the album. it’s weird cos it all depends on the expectations that you had for it. Obviously the label and my management and a few others involved thought it was gonna be huge, and to begin with i got carried along with it. but if i’d stepped outside of it i think that we could have been a lot more realistic about it. we were on a small independent label, with a very modest budget (which we largely spent on the record instead of publicity), and basically when things started not going how we planned it, a little bit of panic set in. the end result was that everyone had a different idea about what should happen next, and the album kind of got forgotten in the midst of trying to break the band, instead of concentrating on the fact that the music was good, and maybe that should have been the focus. but to answer the question, i’m proud of the record, those that bought it loved it, i just wish we could’ve reached more people.
what happened between the initial start and the "end" of the project?
sorry sort of answered that above... but in addition, the band changed. i record all the songs on four-track. i am at heart a lo-fi kinda guy, and that all got lost in the journey from unsigned band to album.
if you could do the whole thing again with lp #1 what would you have done differently?
nothing. if you make mistakes, you rarely notice them at the time, it’s only later from distance when you analyse the situation, that you can learn whatever lesson is there to be learnt. nothing’s ever perfect.
do you blame the curse of noel g .. if he goes on record for liking a band then that is a kiss of death (see haven .. )?
Umm no. He came to one gig, and i’ve met him a few times, he’s fucking hilarious, but really he had nothing to do with minuteman at all. Weird question!!
how different did you find dealing with the industry with minuteman than with ultrasound ? did the business side of things second time around seem easier?
it’s never easy swimming with the sharks. you know every person you meet has the weapons to fight on your side or against you, so trust no one and watch your back. the people that try to be your friend are the worst. at the end of the day you’re entering into a business relationship, and what i needed to know more than anything was that whoever i got involved with was able to take care of that end. and alright, i know that it didn’t quite work out, but marcus and alec are both clever people, and i trusted them totally. and now four years down the road they’re my management, and my friends because of what we’ve all been through together. and the fact that their belief in me has never wavered means that i don’t worry about anything anymore, they totally look after me.
as you were effectively flying solo made things easier, or more difficult as there were no band mates carrying the weight and responsibility with you?
more difficult… i rely on the people closest to me for everything. so that relationship was there with the guys, but not when it came to responsibility, it was all down to me…
or, are you a control freak and therefore the freedom was far better to deal with rather than interpersonal politics of band life of which the world heard a fair bit about with ultrasound?
musically i’m a control freak. But luckily i am surrounded by musicians that constantly amaze me. jim et al always do something on a song that i would never have thought about, and that’s the beauty of having a band and not just being one man and a machine, things always change. it keeps it interesting you know. and we never discuss politics. ultrasound was one big fuck off ego trip from start to finish, and so the dynamic was much more everyone in their own world. which was great for me, cos whilst everyone was arguing and trying to out-do each other, i was off planning minuteman, writing tunes, thinking about moving on. we had band therapy you know… don’t ever buy into your own publicity, it’s a long way back down. having diva-like tantrums doesn’t endear you to anyone, it really isn’t big or clever.
why did you choose the minuteman name as opposed to matt jones the solo artist, or, was that too close to the world of david gray/damien rice etc?
really man, matt jones?? …… i can see it flying off the shelves.
the present
where have you been over last 18 months?
hiding. writing. re-grouping. and chilling out for a bit…
home studio recordings good to go a la early singles b-sides?
always….
will the band feature the same motley crew as previously?
with additions. tim and paul have left. the replacements are russell lee who was the bass player for the last year of minuteman mk1, phil wilkinson from the amazing pilots on drums, and pingo on the guitar. i’m gonna play keys again.
producer chosen?
not yet… all in good time.
times seem to be tough these days for non-Tv created/sanctioned music, how do you keep yourself motivated as an old fashioned singer/songwriter - when all around is so sales/celebrity driven?
it’s the way it’s always going to be… you have to trust in your own abilities. i think i’m a good songwriter and therefore that is the criteria i want to be judged on. not my clothes or haircut, or where i go to drink. ask me again in a years time.
the future
i am aware that you have sorted out management/label problems. when will we see stirrings in the world of minuteman?
we’ve got a couple of gigs coming up this month. 13th may taunton mumba, 14th may winchester railway…and, we’re doing glastonbury… hurrah
have the 18 months of silence allowed you to experiment in new directions in the sound (r-n-b/grime beats with glam guitars !?) or a case of "this is my thing and i love it .. "
it hasn’t changed all that much. although I have to say the new band is the one i’ve always wanted to be part of, we rehearsed last weekend and it blew me away… i’m so happy right now.
what are the objectives for the next phase?
world domination…. frankly
"a uk version of joy zipper ? "
how will you balance life in science and minuteman if both bands start to Happen and demands are made?
the way i have done for the past three years. take it as it comes. i love playing with science, rebecca writes amazing songs, and there’s no pressure for me there, i just get to be in the band and enjoy it.
science and homelife - an interesting clash of the possibilities of domestic bliss and band (dis)harmony? do you and rebecca agree on all aspects in a “mills and boon” romantic fashion, or, is science rebecca’s project and she rules the roost on that score, and you take your own ideas into minuteman so there is no crossover/confusion?
there’s no crossover. no confusion. just a mutual respect for each others talents.
or, do things gets heated at times?
be assured, rebecca could kick my arse anytime, anywhere. i’d rather not go there…
my wife loves the pixies. i hate’em, but listen to their stuff as it’s the best of her alternatives. i know rebecca loves ziggy stardust-era bowie (and damn right too), but what gets aired on the home stereo that causes real pain for you?
nothing. we love the same stuff man, it really is like the garden of eden round here!!! i can’t believe you don’t like the pixies tho !!!
and lastly …
who does the washing up?
the washing up fairy.
but of course .. should have guessed !