Interview - Andrew Weatherall in Paris: Part II

Interview - Andrew Weatherall in Paris: Part II

6 August, 2008 | 3.34PM

• Written by: Amanda Connon-Unda
• Filed under: Music News: andrew weatherall, two lone swordsmen

Some things change, and some things stay the same.

Weatherall’s interest in fashion and visual art has persisted and forms part of his quirky artistic persona today.

He says, “I like cultural input – I collect some interesting vintage clothes. That’s my release for most things.

“When I come home from the studio, I usually read to unwind.

“I am lucky enough to get to the studio from mid-day until midnight, so after that all day I don’t feel the need to walk around with an Ipod.

“I also paint, and do prints. For the last Two Lone Swordsmen album all the artwork was mine.”

Regarding downloads versus tangible music, Weatherall says his latest album called ‘Wrong Meeting’ was the antithesis about what Beatport is about.

“Because it was a cardboard box, with a t-shirt and some of my art work and prints.  And it was limited edition – an artifact.

“I had to sit in the office and sign 1000 copies, which got a bit tedious.

“At a later date the tracks were available to download...”

And in anticipation of skeptics who would be ready to pigeon-hole Weatherall as a technophile, he explains the philosophy behind the action further:

“It wasn’t done as a protest.  A lot of people think that I am anti-computers and anti-downloads”

Perhaps he’s heard that line from contenders about his position before.

But he was apt to continue, “I just think people should offer something else - an object - something that exists in three-dimensions, rather than only floating around in the computer ether.”

His perspective is perhaps a tad old fashioned, and makes sense given his fascination with nostalgic classic functionalism.

If it’s not broken, why fix it?

The vinyl purism attitude is rarer today, but it was more common even only five -10 years ago when techno went digital on the huge scale level for the first time with Beatport and other download sites.

I asked Weatherall further about his fascination with vintage clothing.

He explained, “When I was 12-years old, there was a ‘50s rock n’ roll revival going on in Europe.

“I was bombarded by images of 50’s clothing from a very early age.

“I’ve always loved 40’s and 50’s films. It’s a classic yet timeless style.

“There’s always an element from the 50’s in any other time in clothing fashions throughout the years.

“I like it because the style looks slightly removed, and like it has come from a parallel universe. 

“In 50’s noir films they have a weird otherworldly ghostly quality.

“There’s a sense of the power of the universe. 

“In their eyes their fashion is kind of futuristic.”

Weatherall contends that it’s getting harder to find real vintage although a lot can be searched out on Ebay.

“I have a tailor who makes me stuff. I take him a picture or an original that is falling apart and he does copies of originals for me.”

In Paris a few weeks ago, Weatherall said,

“As soon as I got here I found a really nice vintage shop near the hotel, and I found an early 50’s kind of western wind cheater and a 1950’s shirt.

“Shirts and jackets are the mainstay of my collection.

“When I get to a city somewhere if I get there early enough I ask the promoters ‘Where is the vintage clothing shop?’”

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For the final part of this Andrew Weatherall interview please read Part III, coming soon on Beatportal.com

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