INTRODUCING THE VERY GROOVY BOARDWALK ISABELLA….
Boardwalk Isabella are quite possibly THE grooviest rock band in the world….FACT!
Formed in 2011, they are spread throughout Devon with one member residing in Birmingham.
We caught up with the singer from the band whilst standing in a queue to pay a parking fine and asked him these questions….
Introduce yourself and your music in one sentence…. Hi, I’m James C Hughes, singer-songwriter with the band, Boardwalk Isabella, and we are the grooviest rock and roll band on the planet.
Last time you used public transport and where did you go? What is this thing you speak of…public transport?
Last time you felt proud? Just before I fell over
What classic song do you wish you recorded and why? That would be Wichita Lineman sung by Glen Campbell written by Jimmy Webb. It has everything, emotion, power, poignancy, yearning. Great melody carried by a lovely chord progression. Strong, story-telling lyrics, fine vocal performance, super guitar solo (actually played on bass) – A classic package that has stood the test of time.
Last movie you saw? It’s a Wonderful Life
Last book you read? The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes
What did you dream about last night? This was a vision, fresh and clear as a mountain stream, the mind revealing itself to itself. In my vision, I was on the veranda of a vast estate, a palazzo of some fantastic proportion. There seemed to emanate from it a light from within, this gleaming, radiant marble. I'd known this place. I had in fact been born and raised there. This was my first return. A reunion with the deepest well-springs of my being. Wandering about, I noticed happily that the house had been immaculately maintained. There'd been added a number of additional rooms, but in a way that blended so seamlessly with the original construction, one would never detect any difference. Returning to the house's grand foyer, there came a knock at the door. My son was standing there. He was happy and carefree, clearly living a life of deep harmony and joy. We embraced, a warm and loving embrace, nothing withheld. We were, in this moment, one.
Last time you cried? A lorry containing thousands of onions spilled it’s load on the A38 the other day, and I had to use the hard shoulder to cry on. (I’m here all week)
Biggest musical influence? Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Free
Best gig you ever played? Cavern Club, Liverpool
Best band/artist of 2013? There was a rumour going around that there was one, but ultimately it was a myth.
Biggest act you have ever played with (supported or on the same bill as)? Mick Jagger, The Beach Boys, Thin Lizzy
The last album/record you bought? Steve Miller Band Greatest Hits, The Harrowing and the Harvest - Gillian Welch, After the Goldrush - Neil Young
Last time you had a fight? Recently, and the box of Cheddars won
Tell me one of your guilty pleasures? I watch televised Darts (Yes, I see Dart People)
Best advice you ever received and who was it from? First establish worth, then value, from a very wise woman
Largest amount spent in a single purchase? (excluding houses) It was around 8k on a ‘home’ studio, and it was the best type of investment anyone can make – in themselves.
Whilst James set himself up for a night of 'Cheddars, Phil 'The Power' Taylor and other dart luminaries, we were outside rolling in the Quickfire big guns….
Coffee or Tea? Coffee, one sugar
Coke or Pepsi? Tsk tsk, naughty…
Mac or PC? Oh, Big Mac every time
Holidays/Vacations – Beach or ski-ing? Beaching
Meat or Vegetables? Veggie, of course. Check your Morrissey.
CD or Vinyl? Vinyl Junkie
Car or Motorbike? 1968 Buick Riviera, whitewall tyres, please
Cat or Dog? Siamese Cats
Acoustic or Electric? Both
Angelina or Jennifer? Neither
Full English Breakfast (bacon/eggs/mushrooms/toast etc) or Cereal? Confirmed cereal killer
So there you have it folks, the lead singer from Boardwalk Isabella on public transport, not loving either Angelina or Jennifer and by the looks of things, a penchant for bloody awful jokes.
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