INTRODUCING SOUTH LONDON THREE PIECE THE FRUITFUL EARTH….
We met the trio in Lambeth (they weren't doing 'the' walk), they were infact stood outside a cake shop, drooling over the various delicacies. Sarah and Dave opted for a Chelsea Bun and a Cream Horn respectively, Danny was sulking as they only had custard doughnuts, it was at this time we decided to ask them some questions….
Please introduce the band and your music in one sentence…. Sweet laid back Rock n Roll with riff laden piano.
How did the name ‘Fruitful Earth’ become the band name? I'd asked an old school friend of mine to help me find a name. Being a fan of ancient history he came up with loads of ancient Roman names (that sounded like heavy metal bands) & in the end I kind of said hey Mike I need something earthy and fresh/fruity and he came up with The Fruitful Earth.
Recording of your second album was completed in a studio in Deptford, what was the reason you chose this recording studio and producer? I was looking for somewhere to record this album. I met Andrew Jones by chance at a gig and he suggested we meet at his studio. He was so bowled over by the first album & I liked what he played me of his stuff that it seemed a natural choice. He was also cool with me producing so everything fell into place.
Who designed the art work on your debut album cover? Harriet McDougall
Jaffa Cakes, are they cakes or biscuits?
Sarah: Biscuits! Made of cake however! Just one of those weird unfathomable facts of life in the UK.
Dave: Cakes.
Danny: Biscuit in disguise (like a Transformer? MM)
Tell me a fascinating fact about each of you?
Sarah: I'm very fond of Ray Mears.
Dave: I made it past 30!!
Danny: I have never eaten a pear
First gig you ever went to?
Sarah: Bowie (first proper gig)
Dave: David Cassidy @ Wembley 74.
Danny: The Kooks at Brixton academy
First song you all learnt to play?
Sarah: Toyah Wilcox - I Want To Be Free.
Dave: Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple.
Danny: Love you should've come over - Jeff Buckley
Do you read the reviews of your work?, for instance comments of a likeness to Elton John and Carole King, how does that make you feel? Yes I read what's written. Those comparisons are a way in for listeners who hear the piano before the other influences in the music.
Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with?
Sarah: Worse would be on my own.
Dave: A lift engineer !!
Danny: A Death Metal fan
What classic song do you wish you recorded and why?
Sarah: Life on Mars - Bowie. I wish I'd found those chord progressions first! : )
Dave: 'Ventura Highway', classic simplicity, always makes me feel happy.
Danny: Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
Which band/musician would you recommend musicmuso readers to check out?
Sarah: Mighty Baby.
Dave: 'Rodriguez'. (Steve from MM went to see him in London recently)
Danny: Definitely recommend Allen Stone to anyone. Has a killer voice and incredible band backing him.
Tell me one of your guilty pleasures?
Sarah: Cake eating.
Dave: No guilt here !!
Danny: Doughnuts (chocolate if available)
Metropolis reminds me of a tune that would befit the movie ‘Almost Famous’ soundtrack, is there a story behind the song? It's a love song about London. I'd been to see a performance of 'The Black Rider', a William Borroughs/Tom Waits musical. It was so weird and inspirational I wanted to write a song which had an atmosphere like it.
Is there anything you would like to share with your band mates that you haven’t shared before?
Sarah: No! : )
Dave: Not on here !!
Danny: only how much I respect them as musicians, but am hoping they know that already!
What is the best advice you ever received and who was it from?
Sarah: With a bit of practice you'll get good at that - Grandad Blair.
Dave: Take no advice from anyone !!
Danny: Steve Jordan said that there's no such thing as luck, luck is just when your preparation is met with an opportunity.
Do you think we can ever live in a world where a chicken can cross the road without having its motives questioned?
Sarah: ? : )!
Dave: My question is, why would a road have motives ?
Danny: I don't think it'll be a world worth living in when we work out the true reason the chicken crossed the road.
What will 2014 hold for you?
Sarah: A good reception for the album (hopefully!), the band reaching more and more people who naturally love what we do, playing gigs out of London & writing new songs.
Dave: I like not knowing what's coming.
Danny: 2014 will hopefully hold endless gigs!
What does music mean to you?
Sarah: A lot. It's the stuff of life for me.
Dave: Music is THE BEST.
Danny: Opportunity.
Danny heard that the cake shop over the road had 2 chocolate doughnuts left, we all ran across the road to make sure that the situation remained unchanged. Whilst doing so, Sarah and Dave got arrested for 'Jaywalking', prior to being bundled into the back of a meat wagon, we managed to ask them some quick fire questions….
Coffee or Tea?
Sarah:Tea.
Dave: Coffee.
Danny: Coffee.
Coke or Pepsi?
Sarah:Neither.
Dave: Neither.
Danny: Coke
Mac or PC?
Sarah:Mac.
Dave: Mac.
Danny: Mac.
Taco or Burger?
Sarah: Burger.
Dave: Vegiburger.
Danny: Burger.
CD or Vinyl?
Sarah: CD.
Dave: Either.
Danny: CD.
Car or Motorbike?
Sarah: Motorbike!
Dave: Motorbike (pref Italian).
Danny: Car.
Shower or Bath?
Sarah: Bath.
Dave: Shower.
Danny: Shower.
Tattoos or Piercings?
Sarah:Tattoos.
Dave: Neither.
Danny: Tattoos.
Robert de Niro or Al Pacino?
Sarah: De Niro definitely.
Dave: De Niro.
Danny: De Niro.
The Sex Pistols or The Clash?
Sarah: The Clash.
Dave: Sex Pistols.
Danny: The Clash.
Acoustic or Electric?
Sarah: Electric.
Dave: Electric.
Danny: Electric.
Wine or Beer?
Sarah: Wine.
Dave: Both.
Danny: Beer.
Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Aniston?
Sarah: Jennifer Aniston.
Dave: Jennifer Aniston.
Danny: Jennifer Aniston.
Breakfast – Fry up or cereal?
Sarah: Fry up.
Dave: Cereal.
Danny: Fry up!
There you have it folks, all the questions that you always wanted to know the answers to but were too scared to ask them.
You've come this far, please go recharge your coffee/beer (depending on the time of day) and take a look at their social media pages and live dates below….
Before you do, here's their new single 'Up All Night', enjoy….
Social Media
Forthcoming Live Dates
01.05.13 – London, Dalston - Servant Jazz Quarters – ALBUM LAUNCH
03.05.14 – London, Borough - The Gladstone
06.06.14 – London, Greenwich - The Pelton Arms
Musicmuso would like to thank Sarah, Dave & Danny for sparing their time to answer our questions, we wish them all the success with their new album 'Rising Sun' released on April 28th, if you're in London, head over to the Album Launch event in Dalston, it's gonna ROCK !!!
Interview by Mark Wincott