Talking Comedy With Shappi Khorsandi

Iranian born British comedienne Shappi Khorsandi is currently touring her latest comedy show Because I'm Shappi, "Its very personal," she tells Andy Howells, " its about been pregnant when I was single and been a lone parent."

Shappi's description sums up that she is tackling 21st Century issues and scenarios that audiences will connect with. Her latest show premiered at Edinburgh Festival earlier this year, I ask her if the show has evolved as the tour progresses? "Without a doubt," she replies, "three months go by and you go "Oh, that's how I'm meant to do that joke!" It does get funnier and sharper. Some of them get kicked out, some of them get sent to borstal, it does change"

Shappi who counts BBC One's Have I Got News For You and BBC Radio 4's Just A Minute among her many appearances played a sell-out show in Ebbw Vale last year, recently performed at Newport Riverfront and will play Cardiff's Glee Club on November 5.

"I find Welsh audiences are what we in the comedy industry call "comedy literate" in that they are funny themselves," she says, " So their bar is quite high, it makes for a positive energy in the shows. It delights me when I see a lot of people coming on their 18th (birthdays) as well as stag nights and hen nights. My demographic has certainly changed over the years!"

I wonder if Shappi has had any funny experiences at comedy gigs? "A man on the train asked me if I was Omid Djallili's wife because I'm Iranian and that was quite baffling," she replies, "I wish I could tell you I was abducted by aliens on the way to a gig. Its happened after, but never before."

So when shes back at home and away from the stage what actually makes Shappi laugh? "I've got to say my children," she responds, "otherwise Id be a terrible parent!"

• Visit Shappi Khorsandi's official website.
• A version of this interview by Andy Howells was published in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on October 3, 2014.

The Low Rider From Amen Corner - Andy Fairweather Low Interview

Singer, songwriter, pop star, Andy Fairweather Low has done it all musically, including performing with some of the all-time greats. Andy Howells caught up with him in late 2012 as he was completing his album Zone-O-Tone and found out why the former Amen Corner front man still thinks of himself just as a guitar player.

Music didn't always play so prominently in Andy Fairweather Low’s life. “You either got the bug or you didn't” says Andy. “It’s like a virus and up until ‘64 it didn't touch me at all.” 

Born in Ystrad Mynach in 1948, Andy recalls his first great passion as a boy was football. “I’d go down to Ninian Park and played school football, evenings, weekends and holidays.” 

It was a trip to Sofia Gardens in 1964 where The Rolling Stones were performing that inspired Andy to pick up the guitar and play. “It got me straight away” he says.  

Two years later, Andy had formed The Amen Corner whose debut single Gin House Blues was released in 1967. “That was a great record to have as your first single as far as I’m concerned” says Andy. “We were a soul band, trying to emulate the American soul music of that time. Georgie Fame and Zoot Money would come around and play the circuit, they’d come to Cardiff, we’d see them, we tried to pretend we were them.” 

The success of the brassy pop hit Bend Me, Shape Me propelled The Amen Corner to No.2 in the singles charts in 1968. A succession of hits followed including Hello Suzie and High in the Sky, while (If Paradise) Is Half as Nice got to number one in early 1969. 

The 70s saw Andy form the band Fairweather before going solo, however by the end of that decade he’d tired of the demands of record companies and returned to playing guitar. “I’ve always thought of myself as a guitar player,” he confirms, “and when I stopped making solo records I made a living playing guitar for 28 years.” 

Andy played guitar for a host of music legends including Eric Clapton and George Harrison. He accompanied George on his Japanese tour in 1991. “It was Beatlemania all over again, the airport was mobbed” recalls Andy comparing the scenes he experienced to The Beatles triumphant return from the states in 1964 “That’s what it was like with George, but it was in colour this time.” 

In recent years, Andy has returned to recording and touring in his own right. His composition Hymn for My Soul was a huge airplay hit in 2007 for Joe Cocker.  “It was a real honour and I loved his version” says Andy who doesn’t seem phased that his own version didn't get as much attention saying “I’ve had my 15 minutes, so I'll take what I can get!” 

Andy continues to tour with sell-out performances across the UK, three of which take place in Abergavenny, Cardiff and Newport in the coming weeks. At each venue, he will delight fans with material from the breadth of his career as well as tracks from his new album recorded with his band The Low Riders “I’m really proud of this next lot,” he confirms “It’s with the band, It’s a Low Riders album, they are a part of it too, so its great!” 

The tour which includes a debut performance at Cardiff New Theatre holds special memories for Andy who visited the venue years ago to see Buddy Rich. “I’ll never forget it because he didn't come on till 12 o’clock at night. The theatre show had been on so he came in after the show – fabulous!”

• For the latest news on Andy Fairweather Low visit his official website.
• A version of this interview by Andy Howells was originally published in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide in October 2012.

Back To Genesis - Steve Hackett Interview

Steve Hackett, Picture: Gregory Temesvari

As Genesis reassemble for a DVD and CD release celebrating their careers alone and together, Andy Howells chats to Steve Hackett who visits Cardiff later this month with a concert full of classic Genesis material

Prog pioneer Steve Hackett might be very much his own artist some four decades after leaving Genesis but he still holds his work with the group in very high regard. So much so, he’s back out on tour with a series of Genesis Extended concerts recalling the bands early years. 

Steve was Genesis’ lead guitarist from 1971 to 1977 and is the first ex-member to re-record and tour that part of the band’s material in Genesis Revisited I (1996) and II (2012). 

“For many years fans have said to me “please rejoin the band, please change the emphasis of what the band is doing from the poppy stuff to the rockier stuff," he says, “I didn't feel there was a chance of doing that, because you need everyone to tango at once. But I thought if I bypassed all the politics, I can create a band of my own where the people know and love the material and we seem to have gone from strength to strength.” 

Joining Steve on stage is an exceptional team of top class musicians, including Roger King on keyboards, Gary O’Toole on drums, percussion's and vocals, Rob Townsend on sax, flute and percussion's, Nad Sylvan on vocals and Nick Beggs on bass and twelve-string guitar. 

“There is an afterlife from Genesis but it’s lovely to be doing the Genesis thing once again,” says Steve, who recently took part in a Genesis reunion for a DVD documentary with Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks, “It’s been great, I've seen grown men weep. The audiences have been fantastic for it. The material has proved itself over time, so it’s wonderful to make peoples dream come true. A lot of people weren't around in the days when we first did this stuff. People have said “Oh, I never thought id get to see Blood on the Rooftops live or Watcher in the Skies. It is lovely to be able to do something that’s passionate for me and complex at the same time. Its the simple moments like I know What I Like, so you can clap along with it if you want or dance in the aisles should you wish.” 

Steve became involved with Genesis back in early 1971 when lead singer Peter Gabriel responded to his advert in a popular music paper: “I advertised myself in the back pages of Melody Maker every week for five years and finally stuck in an ad saying “Guitarist/writer seeks receptive musicians determined to strive beyond existing stagnant musical forms” and Pete phoned me up. He must have thought I was a nutter or an idealist or both and he was right. Had it not been for the ad he probably wouldn't have phoned me up.” 

Although chart statistics record that Genesis had great commercial success in the 1980s when Phil Collins fronted the band, Steve is keen to continue shining a light on the bands earlier material. “Although it became a very successful thing, it became firmly a pop machine and they did that tremendously well, but there was something that was different when Peter Gabriel was the singer with the band. I think the subject matter of the lyrics was more challenging; there was a sense of magic about it.  I am very proud of all my involvement with it.” 

Steve admits he could keep playing Genesis material live as a full-time job for the rest of his career, but has been back in the studio working on his next album which is due for release next February. “I’m thrilled with it,” he says, “Its part rock and part orchestral. There’s a lot of Beatles influence on it. I liked The Beatles when they started to incorporate orchestras.  I also happen to be a fan of ELO as well. I’m a huge fan of the more elemental side of the classic stuff, the more Slavic moments of Tchaikovsky. Its twinning it in and out with lots of different styles and a fusion of a lot of instruments you might not recognise. Orchestra plus and group extended if you know what I mean. I think it’s my best effort.”

• Catch Steve Hackett live at St David’s Hall on October 30.
• Visit Steve Hackett's official website for the latest news.
• A version of this interview was published in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide in October 2014.

Meet The Cast Of Centrestage Cymru's White Christmas

A film musical classic celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. White Christmas premiered to the world on October 14, 1954 and has been part of the Christmas season ever since. The title song, originally sung by Bing Crosby and written by Irving Berlin was first featured in the 1942 film musical Holiday Inn.

60 years on from the original film premiere of White Christmas, Centrestage Cymru bring the classic musical which was made famous by the wonderful cast of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen to the stage of Newport's Dolman Theatre this week.

The musical’s dazzling score features well known standards including Blue Skies, I Love a Piano, How Deep Is the Ocean and the all time favourite, White Christmas. Full of laughter, joy, nostalgia, song and dance this Newport stage premier has to be the best opening to the Christmas season possible for all the family. 

We put questions to several cast members about their ideal White Christmas!

Who are you playing in White Christmas?
Becci Jarvis:  I am playing Judy Haynes
Jordan Archer:  Phil Davies
Sharon Higgins: Betty Haynes
Matthew Bryant: I’m Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby)
Hannah Roper: I’m playing Rhoda
Elissa Taylor: Rita

What are you looking forward to most about the role?
Jordan: Working alongside the incredible 'ledge' Matt Bryant
Sharon: I love performing alongside the other principles and cast members.
Hannah: That she is so ditzy, bubbly and giggly, I’m having a lot of fun playing her.
Elisa: Dressing up in a box

Whats your favourite song in White Christmas and why?
Becci: I love a Piano! It's a big tap number which is my favourite style of dance
Matt: Count your Blessings – It’s just a lovely song
Hannah: Either Blue Skies or Finale cause I love the dances
Elisa: Snow because we are singing about snow, but really there is no snow.

Whats your Christmas wish for this year?
Becci: To pass University
Jordan: World Peace
Sharon: Health and happiness for my family and friends.
Matt: Happiness for my family and friends.
Hannah: A White Christmas!

• Centrestage Cymru's production of White Christmas plays The Dolman Theatre, Newport until October 25. Tickets now available from www.dolmantheatre.co.uk
• Visit Centrestage Cymru's website to find out about further shows and read further Q&A's with the cast.
• A version of this Q&A appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on October 17, 2014.

King King Step From The Shadows - Alan Nimmo Interview

Visitors to John Mayall's 80th anniversary concert at St David's Hall this week are in for a treat. Not only will fans be treat to music from John's new album "A Special Life" but they will also get to see an opening set from Scottish bluesbreakers King King.

"Obviously the crowd will be there to see John Mayall," says Alan Nimmo of the band, " But I hope we get a good chance to impress with our short but sweet show. We're doing about 40 minutes. There’s an energy to the show and to the performance."

"Its natural, it’s real and every part of it is meant. I'm doing this because, I love doing it and not because I want to get anything else from the business it’s who I am what I am hopefully that passions going to come through."

Alan who plays guitar and sings vocals has already been a popular draw on the touring circuit for many years as a member of The Nimmo Brothers, with whom he met King King bassist Lindsay Coulson.

"Lindsay played with the band for four years and we stayed in touch after that," says Alan, “We had some idea in mind to do something together. We ended up just visiting each other all the time. I was in Glasgow, he was in Lincoln. We thought we'd go out and have a beer and pay for it by putting a gig on for our mates, then we thought why don't we do this properly because we had the same visual ideas how we would like to progress. We always agreed on what the way forward for us was best and wanted to give it a try. That’s probably just over five years ago now."

The band which also consist of Wayne Proctor and Bob Fridzema have picked up several accolades along the way including 2014  British Blues Awards, not least ‘Best Band’ (for a third consecutive year) and ‘ Best Album’ for 2013’s ‘Standing In The Shadows’. They have recently completed work on their third album due for release early next year.

Alan and the band are looking forward to playing alongside John Mayall at next week’s Cardiff show," I've been a John Mayall fan for as long as I can remember," says Alan, " Obviously the Beano album is one I grew up listening to and that’s how I got into Peter Green as well."

King King themselves are set apart from most contemporaries by their on-stage appearance. Scottish through and through, Alan will be seen proudly wearing his kilt on stage, "Hopefully they won’t get too scared by looking at some large barbarian in a kilt," he laughs, "I'm just hoping they going to be pleasantly surprised  hopefully there will be some people who know who we are. We want to gain some new fans, we want to show the audience that there’s quality music they might not have seen yet.

• A version of this interview by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus Entertainment supplement The Guide on October 17, 2014.
• Visit King King's official website.

Meet The Band: The Marmozets

The Marmozets story is of how two sets of siblings battled together to fully deserve their reputation as one of Britain’s brightest new hopes. Already being tipped for the top, the band’s growing reputation was underlined by their recent closing night headline set on the Glastonbury BBC Introducing stage. This week the band released their long-awaited debut album ‘The Weird and Wonderful Marmozets’.

Produced by former Hundred Reasons guitarist Larry Hibbitt, the album emphasises Marmozets’ growing skill in developing a broad range of styles, including the punk rock assault of ‘Cover Up’, and ‘Born Young And Free’, the brooding dynamic contrasts which feature on ‘Captivate You’, the visceral aggression of ‘Why Do You Hate Me?’ and the soaring progressive epic ‘Cry’. In essence the album captures the riotous energy of their live show with complex melodies, compelling vocals and massive riffs.

The latest single to be taken from the album is ‘Born Young and Free’ which showcases their fiery spirited attitude.

Comprising of Becca MacIntyre (vocals), her siblings Sam (guitar) and Josh (drums), as well as the Bottomley brothers Jack and Will (on guitar and bass respectively), Marmozets have a relentless work ethic which has seen them dedicate their entire lives (albeit very young lives!) to the band. Music college wasn’t an option and there was never a Plan B. Their future could only be Marmozets.

Prior to their recent Cardiff date, guitarist Jack Bottomley recently answered questions poised by Andy Howells: 

You originally came together in 2007. Has your journey to the release of your debut album been a long one for you?
Well I guess it does feel like it's been a long time looking back on it. But we take every day as it comes. We've always known it takes years to get anywhere in music, usually anyway, but it's all been about timing for us, climbing the ladder etc. can't wait for it to be out!

When did you decide you wanted to form a band?
The second I saw The White Stripes play in Blackpool. It was my first show and it blew my mind. Me and my brother started jamming in our bedroom. He was probably about 8 years old then haha.

Your band is made up of siblings is there much in the way of rivalry with each other when it comes to determining the bands sound?
Not at all, we all go for the same sound. We know what it sounds like when we get it. It's just getting it sometimes. We've only ever worked with each other so it's all we know.

What is your favourite track on the new album and why?
It's a tough one, I could say hit the wave because i play a guitar solo in it, which hasn't ever happened on Marmozets track before, but that'd be silly. Either that or weird and wonderful or vibe tech. It's so varied and mixed it's hard to pick a favourite for myself. I tend to like different ones when I'm in different moods or what ever. Depends on the vibes.

What was it like playing Glastonbury’s BBC Introducing Stage?
It was surreal! We were so excited to play. It's not everyday you get to headline a stage at Glasto' it was a crazy day.

What can fans expect from your forthcoming Cardiff Show?
Madness! We can't wait for this upcoming tour. It'll be a great night with great bands. Lonely the brave and allusondrugs are both awesome in their own unique way which will make this more than interesting!

Where can fans find out the latest news about you?
Marmozets.co.uk or weird.marmozets.co.uk for album stream.

• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells originally featured in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on October 3, 2014.

Il Divo Rooted In Musical Theatre - David Miller Interview

Andy Howells chats to David Miller of Il Divo

"It’s been an amazing journey full of highs and lows," says David Miller of his decade with Il Divo, the world's first and most successful classical crossover group. 

The foursome have sold over 26 million albums worldwide, achieved over 50 number one records, received 160 gold and platinum sales awards in over 33 countries and staged four ground-breaking world tours. The international quartet comprises of tenor Urs Buhler of Switzerland, baritone Carlos Marin of Spain, pop artist Sébastien Izambard of France and tenor David from the United States. 

As Il Divo first came to fruition in 2003, their current world tour which comes to Cardiff this week marks a milestone for the four singers as they commemorate the success of over a decade together.  

"The beginning was a full on experiment," continues David, "four guys in a room and see what they can come up with. We all had to kind of get over ourselves and each other and push past barriers and commit ourselves to one single goal which is making one track a time literally something we can all be proud of." 

Il Divo’s last album, A Musical Affair, a homage to the world of musical theatre, was released in 2013, "We started thinking to ourselves that we needed to focus in on something," David tells me,” We realised looking back over our tours the most popular songs we had the most freedom on was the musical theatre songs as they connected with everyone. The way we arranged them had a very powerful impact and we started to get into creating an entire album of musical theatre." 

Realising Il Divo had something special, Broadway producer James Nederland invited the boys to premiere their latest tour at The Marquis Theatre in November 2013, "it was met with great success," says David, "We thought this was the kind of thing we can bring to the world and so that’s pretty much what we are doing." 

The show will be very different to other Il Divo shows as David explains, "It’s going to be a very technologically heavy. This is musical theatre so every song has a context. The choice we were faced with was we could make it another Il Divo show or we could try and create the environment track by track, song by song. We're trying to recreate an environment that will reflect a moment in the show where the song comes from." 

David thinks that a show based around musical theatre has helped Il Divo break down a few preconceived ideas people may have had about their music. "One of our big bonuses we found over the years was that people came to us and thought we would sing opera, which is not the case, we sing pop songs. We're just using our operatic backgrounds to emphasise certain moments across pop songs. 

The bonus we got back from the audience in the end was people were going out and saying "Wow! I never realised the operatic voice could be like that!" It’s true there are certain stereotypes out there. For us to break that down was a huge bonus for us. Both Carlos' and my musical beginnings were actually in musical theatre and that got us started singing."
David who was originally in training to be a NASA astronaut before deciding on a career in music will have a very personal moment when the group perform Some Enchanted Evening from Camelot. 

"That song was the song I used in my first audition to audition for the high school musical," he tells me, "it’s like a very personal moment for me. I feel like I've come absolutely full circle 20 years later. Musical Theatre is responsible for physically bringing me out of my shell in high school and creating this desire to want to use my voice. When I sang opera it was like, "This is what I want to do with the rest of my life."" 

Il Divo will be joined by Lea Salonga, the award winning singer and actress best known for her Tony & Olivier Award winning role in Miss Saigon perform at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena on October 19.

• Il Divo's Official Site
• A version of this interview by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on October 17, 2014.