Shambles Miller

Shambles Miller is a delightful ‘folker’ from Glasgow ways. I’m very glad to have had the opportunity to get a little insight into his world of tiny guitars and wizards. Quite possibly the nicest (not to mention most patient) artist I’ve had the pleasure of picking the brain of, I encourage you to mosey on over to his myspace. There awaits some enthralling little tales that you can immerse yourself in.

There have been some charming photos of you in your youth with various musical instruments added to your blog recently. When did you start playing and writing your own material?

Well, my mum will always insist that I wrote my first song when I was about three, singing about being in bed. I don’t think that counts though and much to her chagrin, I doubt I’ll be releasing it as my first single.

I’ve been playing the guitar and writing songs since I was about 14, but it was only a year or so ago that I felt I had the kind of material I was really confident in sharing with a wider audience. Wider than my mum, dad and dog, anyway.

You released your EP Shambles Vs The Dragonwizard late last year. What were the themes you were working with when you started putting it together.

Well, being my first E.P. I wanted to try and showcase a good range of the sort of stuff I do, so it incorporates the humorous side as well as a slightly darker stuff. A lot of it is about fighting against certain things: be it myself or some kind of authority or the idea that everyone has to be the same in someway. Or, y’know, evil wizards.

Are you pleased with the finished work?

I am, yeah, I’m very proud of the record. Although a year on I can definitely hear areas where I feel I’ve improved, (especially after nearly a year of gigging at least every fortnight) I think that’s natural. You have to be your own worst critic. There’s a saying that “art is never finished; only abandoned” and I’m sure that with unlimited time and money I’d have added certain elements, but this is always the sound I wanted from my first E.P. I originally put out a limited run of 50 copies and I sold the last one a week or so ago, which was a little strange, seeing it go. If there’s enough demand in the future though I’ll hopefully do another run.

Neil Slorance’s artwork for the EP is absolutely adorable. How long have you known one another?

We’ve been best friends for over 10 years now, since secondary school. He painted my guitar for me and when I decided I was going to put out my own E.P., there was no question about who I was going to get to do the artwork. He also does the odd poster or flyer for me and of course my badges feature his work too. I usually have to pay him by taking him for dinner. Most people actually recognise the Neil Slorance version of me before they’d recognise me in the street. Even in reviews, features and on blogs folk will use a wee Slorance Shambles. I quite like that.

You’re often noted for singing in your native accent. Why do you think that there is such great focus on that?

I think it’s because for so long, so many people seemed to sing in a faux-american accent, and singing in your own accent for a Scottish person meant comparisons to The Proclaimers. I think partly the success of Biffy Clyro and the rise in popularity of folk music means it has become more acceptable to hear someone sing in a Scottish accent. To me it just sounds more true. So many singers nowadays modify their voice, either to sound different to everyone else, or possibly even to imitate whatever sound or accent is in vogue, but it often comes off sounding forced. It just sounds false.

Where did the tiny guitar come from?

Haha, the tiny guitar. I think a lot of people expect to see it at every gig because I mentioned it on my myspace page, but it only features on one song so far. It was a present from my mum and dad after they’d been on holiday. I think it was intended to be a toy for children but with some jiggery-pokery I managed to turn it into a playable (albeit temperamental) instrument.

You’ll be playing Sloans Ballroom again on the eighth of June. Are you looking forward to the show?

Definitely, I really enjoyed it last time and this time I’m sharing the bill with some great acts who happen to be some of my closest friends, so it’s that wee bit extra-special. Plus it looks like it’ll be my first gig back after the first month off from gigging that I’ve taken in nearly a year.

Are you quite fond of the venue?

Very much so, it’s gorgeous. The sound is great and it has a really lovely atmosphere, plus it’s not every day you get to play in a ballroom.

We try to ask (though I always forget) anyone involved in a podcast or interview for Elba Sessions if there are any bands we should be checking out? Any recommendations?

Well, I would definitely recommend Florence and Lauren, one of the bands I’m playing with on the 8th of June. They change their name a lot (its a woman’s prerogative I understand) and seem to have invented the genre “folk-pop melodrama.” There’s Mr. Andrew Lindsay, also appearing on the bill on the 8th. He plays some really catchy folky pop too and has a voice that’s just as impressive as his haircut. I’d also keep an eye out for Reverie, soon to release her debut album, and Anavris; one of the best unsigned bands in the business just now.

Finally, what will the next venture for Shambles Miller be?

Well, I’d absolutely love to get to play any wee festivals this year, so if anyone will have me it’ll make my summer. I’ll also be recording my next as-yet-untitled E.P, which I can’t wait to get into. Apart from that, I’ll be back gigging regularly within the next couple of weeks and hopefully I’ll manage to fit in a wee Scottish tour. I might try and lose my beer belly too, that’d be a plus.

Shambles Miller will be playing Sloans Ballroom on the 8th of June

Also, Shamble Miller is looking for your vote in his bid to open Green Man this year. You can head along here to cast your vote!