TC&I (Colin Moulding) - Great Expectations

AÑO: 5 | NÚMERO 46

THE 13th UN A R E V IS TA IM A GINA RIA

TC&I (COLIN MOULDING) GREAT EXPECTATIONS

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

[ Interview with Colin Moulding from TC&I by José Luis Lemos.

Photographs: Geoff Winn Laima Bite ]

Exactly 40 years ago, on January 20, 1978, White Music, the first studio album of one of the most original bands of the punk explosion, came to light. Yes, we are talking about XTC, the group led by Andy Partridge and Colin Molding that, despite being framed first within the punk genre and then the new wave, from the beginning it shook the labels claiming that they simply made pop music. Successful definition, yes, but that does not satisfactorily cover the entire spectrum that covered the original Swindon band throughout its almost 30-year career: post punk, ska, dub, psychedelia, folk, African rhythms, pop camera ... all seen from an unmistakably British prism, with arrangements as intricate as they are exquisite.

After the release of Wasp star (Apple Venus vol 2, 2000), the band's last studio album, little was known about its members, beyond being involved in parallel projects and supervising compilations and remasters. But much less was heard of Colin Molding, composer of some of the greatest hits of XTC as Making plans for Nigel, Generals and majors or King for a day, who at one point came to claim that he had lost interest in music. Fortunately, the edition of Great aspirations - an EP with four new songs - not only finds it revitalized but also in the company of Terry Chambers, founding member and drummer of XTC until 1982. Perfect opportunity to chat with Colin about this project that shows that, After years of silence, he has not lost an iota of his talent for lighting pop gems.

Hello Colin. Taking in consideration that you and Terry Chambers haven´t played together since 1982, how did this project come together?

He was back in the country after some 34 years, and was looking to move back to England on a permanent basis. We went out one night socially and I popped the question of whether he was interested in playing on an EP which I had formulated in my mind.

He said he’d love to and one thing led to another….before we knew it we were an ‘item’.

This new EP is a bootstrapped project, recorded in a garage and without the pressure of a deadline. What´s the difference between the DIY of your punk origins, and the present – and which do you prefer?

Well there was no DIY days back then. It was all underwritten by a record company.

And recording was expensive back then. Besides I didn’t know too much about the technical end of things. Not that I know a lot now.

But perhaps at least one is going to have a record that sounds different. Perhaps the industry is full of people who know too much Before forming XTC with Andy, you used about it-that is why nothing changes. I know to play together. Is this new project the lo- enough to blunder my way through. In actual gical end to a cycle or, on the contrary, is fact one doesn’t have the pressure of the ‘expensive studio’ to worry one’s mind. It's a gait a new chapter?

Well I guess it’s a new chapter. We had pla- rage true- but I have some good gear that I’ve picked up from all over the place. Some from yed together way back before XTC existed.

But the important thing was that we always the very studios that I recorded in all those got along so perhaps it was inevitable as soon years ago -now long gone- The digital revolution saw them all off. as his foot touched UK soil.

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In ‘Greatness’, you talk about the people you look up to, and would dream about becoming on the same level. It´s surprising that, besides musicians like Paul McCartney and Gershwin, there are some film directors ere too. Is cinema also a passion for you?

Yes I love films …especially old ones ….The sleeve of the EP is inspired by David Lean’s Great Expectations (1940’s)…. I suppose one could say the title is as well. I love the shadows, the darkness. It is full of mystery for me. Perhaps it all stems from the German film makers of the twenties. Hitchcocks the ‘The Lodger’ too…wonderful stuff. I like later Hitchcock too. I could ramble on forever.

One doesn’t like to be forgotten. Maybe this will be my epitaph. Although to fuck ‘em all up I think I will be buried. It’s death in a positive way… I’m sure it has the feel good factor.

The chords are bitter sweet. It’s the best way of composing. It’s sweet, but there’s tension there too.

‘Comrades of Pop’ is a kind of warning for the newer generations that decide to go into the music business. What do you think is the best way to avoid falling for the industry´s tricks, besides not letting money get in the way?

I’m stating the obvious here I know…..but I thought it was worth a mention ….and I wanted to show my affinity with all the newcomers to the industry and how once upon a time I was new too. I place my arm around the shoulder of the new artist and say … this will probably happen to you but it’s okay…just don’t get tangled up with the money men and you’ll come out relatively unscathed……their carpets are made of human hair!

Colin, in ‘Scatter Me’ you talk about accepting death, a topic that you have touched on the last two songs of ‘Skylarking’.

However, this time the tone is a lot brighter and optimistic. Has your perspective on death changed since then?

I think I’m talking about it in a better way.

When one gets older one fends off melancholy.

At one point in the ‘This is Pop’ documenIt is about death but by far the overriding tary, Andy is browsing rock books and nofeeling here is eternity and long lasting love. tices that XTC doesn´t appear anywhere. It

seems that things changed about a decade ago, as today you´re featured not only in books, but also in charts such as "best album of all times". Has the late recognition encouraged you to record new material for this EP? No not really….just something I had to get out of my system…it depends on the material… if one thinks it is good then one goes ahead. If I hadn’t thought it was good it would never have seen the light of day... but yes it’s good that we’re getting some attention after so long.

it live. If that´s the case, how are you planning on performing the songs (considering you two play most of the instruments on the record) – are you putting together a gigging band?

No I don’t have the material for an album and besides it takes too much out of one…it’s emotionally draining and takes far too long.

I’m 62. Things have to happen faster, you don’t know how long you’ve got. And when there’s only two of you it takes longer …

Yes the plan is to do some gigs, and to get some other guys. How many we do and what we do is a question I can’t answer…some I assume (and hope) that this EP will lead ……10 perhaps. Who knows. World tours are to a new album, and that you will perform out … I’ve done those and they are soul des-

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troying. But we’ll play some. Besides a lot of perform live – hopefully it will appen soon. that XTC stuff I’ve never heard in a concert Thanks for the music!

Okay Jose, it’s my pleasure…….who knows hall. where we might end up playing…we played Thank you very much for giving us the Venezuela one time…so anything is possible. opportunity to talk with you. I´d like to let Best Wishes from the UK ... all the best... Coyou know that there are many people here lin in Argentina who would like to see you

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The13th U NA R EVISTA IMA GINA RIA