Interview: The Waterboys talk to Skiddle ahead of Ramsbottom Festival

In the run up to their headline slot at Ramsbottom Festival, Steve Wickham, fiddler from The Waterboys, speaks to Skiddle about experiences on tour, influences and music with ‘truth’.

Jayne Robinson

Date published: 26th Aug 2011

In the run up to their headline slot at Ramsbottom Festival, Steve Wickham, fiddler from The Waterboys, speaks to Skiddle about experiences on tour, influences and music with ‘truth’.

The Waterboys have gone through a series of changes in their career. How did the band start?

Mike (Scott) started the Waterboys in 1983, I joined in 1985 a couple of years later.

Your musical styles have varied over the years. Has this always been a conscious decision or just seem to happen?

Our musical path has been a winding one for sure and it is the result of us following where the glorious muse takes us at any given time. We never planned a musical style at any stage.

Playing many venues across many cities; is there any particular place that stands out?

Yes indeed, we've played in many wonderful cities and venues. Playing for a week last year in Ireland's Abbey theatre with our show 'An Appointment with Mr. Yeats' really stood out as extra special for me.

You toured with U2 and Simple Minds, what was that like?

Well they're really nice fellows, all. It's a bit tough being a support band to big stadium bands like those two but we did our best to blow ‘em off the stage every night.

What is your fondest memory of being on tour?

I love it when we get into impromptu music sessions on the road. Playing on airplanes, boats, at baggage carousels, on buses, taxis, or in hotel lobbies, that's great craic for sure.

You have influenced many musicians. What musicians have influenced you?

Charles O Connor the fiddler from Horslips really dazzled me as a kid, he made me realise that playing the fiddle could be 'cool'. Toni Marcus was Van Morrison's violinist for a time and her scope and emotional dynamic blew me away when I first heard her. Mick Ronson, the great guitarist from Hull is one of the greatest lead players I've heard. Man, there are so many groovy players that've inspired me. Fiddlers like Kevin Burke and Stephan Grappelli, Hornplayers like Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Singers like Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Nina Simone, Bob Dylan and the great great Neil Young, the list goes on.

There have been lots of changes in the line-up of The Waterboys. How do you find new members, and can it be difficult getting them ready for live shows?

There have been a lot of changes in the Waterboys, yes. We have been very fortunate to play with some of the best players on the planet. We listen to a lot of records and go to a lot of gigs and someone will usually say 'wow! I'd love to make some music with him or her'. We always rehearse comprehensively before a tour so it is possible to get ready for the live shows.

Last year you premiered 'An Appointment With Mr Yeats'. Can you tell us some more about it? What was the inspiration behind that, and how long did it take to put together as a band. Was it difficult process?

William Butler Yeats was Ireland's preeminent poet in the 20th century. His work has always been a great inspiration to The Waterboys, We've been putting his poetry to our music for as long as I can remember. In 1986 we played the Four Ages of Man (one of WB's poems) as part of a medley with The Waterboys song 'Spirit' and of course we recorded 'the Stolen Child' for our Fisherman's Blues Album in 1988.

An Appointment with Mr Yeats was several years in the making, the truth be told we've been making it for twenty years. It has been a labour of love, so in that respect it has not been difficult. A few years ago Mike sat down at the piano with the complete Yeats poems and worked through them one by one, seeing which ones sparked and flew. I put a couple of demos into the 'Pot' as did Freddie Stephenson. When we had all the tracks. Mike had an idea how this music would sound and imagined flutes oboes brass woven into our band. We worked for several weeks intensively scoring the songs with the extended line up. Shortly after the latest tour of the show finished, back in March, We went into the studio and recorded it. The record is out any day now, I can't wait.

What has been your favorite 'phase' of The Waterboys?

Phase? Perhaps you mean album or band line up? I love our current line up and the music that we are making at present. We have a great album coming out and the band is really cooking.

You have seen many changes in musical styles and managed to stand the test of time, where many bands have failed to do so. What is it that motivates you all to carry on?

I listen to a lot of music and if it comes from the heart and it is true, it will resonate. The genre doesn't matter, from Eminem to Mozart. Perhaps It is the honesty that grabs me first and then the artfullness. Every time I hear that 'truth' in a player or a band or a song, it is sure to lift and inspires me. I think it's the courageousness of some artists to remain true that motivates me to carry on. We could talk all night.

What is you opinion on current popular music?

Honestly, It's like an overgrown garden, you have to hunt through a lot of weeds to find the beauty these days.

Are there any new artists that you are currently listening to?

I've been listening to Katie Kim a great young Irish Singer (Katie sings with us on the Yeats' show and Album), and the Aftermath a young band from Longford in Ireland.

As a band, how do you find the whole festival experience? Is it something you enjoy / do you find them advantageous to play?

The festival experience is a mixed bag. When the professionalism is high, well- organised, good sound gear, etc, it's great fun. I love it when the sun is beaming down or it's late and night and warm and the people are having a lovely time. I don't know about advantageous to play? Ask our manager! I'm looking forward to Ramsbottom.

Are you currently working on any new material or live shows?

We are continually working on the live show, adding songs, re-arranging, and occasionally a new one arrives.

Next month you play Ramsbottom Festival. What can we expect from your set?

Well as usual with The Waterboys you can expect the unexpected. You will surely hear something 'true'.

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