Belfast pyschedelic pop quintet Cashier No. 9 speak to Skiddle

Jasmine Phull speaks to the Irish collective ahead of their Manchester gig about cinema’s influence on music and the ever-growing music scene in Belfast.

Jayne Robinson

Last updated: 10th Nov 2011

Jasmine Phull speaks to the Irish collective ahead of their Manchester gig about cinema’s influence on music and the ever-growing music scene in Belfast.

Promising harmonies and cascading melodies make up the core of Cashier No 9’s 2010 debut To The Death Of Fun, where references are made and lyrics do more than scratch the surface; they ring true.

For this Belfast quintet, its sixties shimmer and eighties jangle, there’s no one focused era - just five guys who don’t sound like Ireland.

You released your debut LP To The Death Of Fun not too long after the release of Goldstar EP. In what way did you approach the LP differently? Are there any things you made sure to do differently the second time around?

The Goldstar EP was intended as a taster of the album to follow, it was to be released under our own label but then Bella Union came along and signed us, and the album came out shortly after. There wasn't a particular approach to the LP, we just wanted it to be as amazing as possible and to represent us properly as a band.

Can you list three words that describe To The Death Of Fun?

Lush, psychedelic, pop.

The debut was produced by film and music producer David Holmes; did you find his film background had an influence on the formation of the album?

I think so, yes. He certainly gave it that widescreen, cinematic feel.

In general, how influential is film to the creation of Cashier No 9’s music?

It's not vital, but we are all film fans and I suppose it all gets mixed in.

You're originally from Belfast, does your environment play a big part in your music?

We're all proud of where we're from, and there have been many bands from home that we've all loved at one point or another. The music scene in Belfast at the minute is as vibrant as it's ever been.

There’s obvious ‘60s inspiration laced throughout the debut. Is music your escape to another era or time? Why is this important?

We're fans of music from all points in time from the creation of rock'n'roll onwards. I don't think it's an escape as such, it's just the 60's was one of the most exciting and creative eras for music.

Is there someone from your youth that was particularly influential musically?

My dad was always well into music, mostly folk and jazz. I still use his acoustic guitar he bought in the late sixties.

When it comes to club gigs and festival shows, do you need to have a different approach for each?

With a festival we try and keep things up-tempo tend to leave out the slower, quieter numbers. With a headline club show we're more comfortable showing a wider range.