Interviews

A Quick Chat With Isaac Birchall

• 12th Oct 2015

We caught up with heavy-folk artist Isaac Birchall, who recently released his debut album ‘Where We Are’. His unique brand of song writing has been turning many heads in his native North Wales for the past few years; aggressive acoustic guitar work, powerful vocals and the weight of a strong rhythm section come together to create a distinctive, high energy sound.

When I first started playing music…
I was basically a System of a Down tribute act! They were my favourite band when I was 12, so I learned all of their songs and often joke that Daron Malakian basically taught me to play guitar. I begged my parents for an Ibanez Iceman which I eventually got. They’re still one of my go-to bands.

If I had to choose a new name for the band it would be The Beekeepers because…
While we were recording the album, we took a break during the recording of our song ‘Bones’, and went outside. There was a bee lying on the floor, we gave it some sugar water and it got up and flew off. The lyrics go ‘Bones, Recover’, from which ‘Bees recover’ quickly became an in-joke and it’s sort of stuck. All our branding & art work is Bee or honeycomb related because of that.

I knew we were on to something when…
My band put their instrumentation to our song ‘Don’t Send Me Away’. It started life as a purely acoustic demo, and once I heard the drums, guitar and bass on top I realised this song was going to be great. It’s my favourite song because it’s got the most of the other guys in the band on it, and it’s quickly becoming a fan favourite too.

My biggest non-musical influences are…
Mostly me father, he’s simply the top example in my life of the kind of person I strive to be. I’m also a huge fan of Ricky Gervais for his animal activism and his work ethic.

I’m most proud of…
Our recent album launch event. From start to finish the entire process was planned, organised & promoted almost solely by myself but with the huge help of my local town. We had a packed-out launch party and loads of retailers in my town are selling our CD for us. I’m hugely lucky to be part of such an amazing community.

My ideal support slot would be…
This is a tough one! I’ve already supported Nick Oliveri but supporting Queens of The Stone Age as a band would be amazing. At the very top of my list would be the Foo Fighters, but the realist in me knows the odds of being hit by lightning are probably more in my favour than that.

Something I haven’t achieved yet which I’d like to is…
Playing some of the slightly bigger festivals like Green Man, Beautiful Days and Bestival. Those are the kind of gigs we’re striving to work toward as they’re a great way to showcase music to people who might not have had a chance to hear us in the past.

My favourite places to hang out are…
At home and at band practice. I’m not much of a party-goer, so I like being somewhere I can make some noise with my guitar. When I’m not doing that I’m either slobbing out on the sofa watching endless episodes of House or at my local pub, usually having one too many Stowford’s!

If I could give my younger self one piece of advice it would be…
Enjoy your hair while it lasts! I’d also say spend more time with your close friends because some of them aren’t going to be around for long… oh and don’t spray that pentagram into your parent’s nylon carpet with deodorant and then set it on fire!

The best way to get what you want is…
Be polite, persistent and willing to return favours with gratitude.

I can’t stop listening to…
Guiding Lights by Skyharbor. It’s been on my playlist since it was released at the end of last year and I think it’s just one of the most magical albums ever. ‘Idle Minds’ is my favourite track.

I’m not ashamed to admit that…
You play the Spice Girls, S Club 7 or B*Witched and I will revert to being a 10 year old and out dance everyone in the room! I love all that cheesy pop goodness!

If I could wave a magic wand and make anything in the world happen it would be… Standing on a stage playing our song ‘Bones’ and hearing 1000 people sing it back. The song is so personal to me, it’s my middle finger to bullying, it’s my ‘You Can’t Bring Me Down’ by Suicidal Tendencies. Having that many people singing it back would be the embodiment of everything that song stands for.

Someone you might not have heard of that you should check out is…
Glen Hansard. He’s one of my biggest musical influences on the folk side of things and the guy has one of the most amazing and powerful voices you’ll ever hear. I want to invite him over for dinner and just talk about music and sing songs with him all night.