Latest News from … Pocket Lint
- 04 Jun 2023 -Elizabeth catches up with Pocket Lint about the recent release of his album ‘Gallery’ and what’s in store for him in 2023.
Image: Pocket Lint, aka Mark Heffernan, from UK
First of all, tell us about you, Mark. When were you first introduced to music?
To be honest, I can never remember a time without music, but the first time music slapped me in the face was hearing Jimi Hendrix when I was 12. I knew this was something I had to move towards, like a moth to a flame.
Who has been the greatest influence on your sound?
It really depends when in my life. So many artists have had a huge influence on my music, from how I play guitar, to the types of songs and lyrics I write. I would say that recently, though, Japan, Sakamoto, Bowie, Soft Cell and Bernard Hermann have all left quite a big mark in my approach to my work.
When did you start work on this new album? How was the process?
As I was finishing EP 4, I had the idea to turn a painting, Dust Motes in Sunbeams by Vilhelm Hammershøi, into a song. It all flowed pretty quickly and I started thinking that this could be an EP. All songs inspired and based around different paintings. That then turned into an album and so: Gallery.
Can you sum up the album lyrically and musically?
It is either an attempt to represent in music the feel of a painting, or an attempt to write a song based around something from the painting. So, for example Automat by Hopper has a solitary lady reading. I imagined she was Suzanne Vega and then imagined her writing a song. Whereas Nocturnal Bombardment, based on Crali’s work, is purely an attempt to imagine the terror someone in an underground bunker experienced as the planes flew overhead.
How does it develop on your previous work?
I suppose in a sense it is a further development and refinement of the idea of creating vignettes. I was really inspired by the idea of painting in sound and trying to convey the feeling of the paintings.
Generally, how do you work on your lyrics? Do lyrics or the music come first?
Normally the idea, then the music, then the lyrics. Though a lot of these songs were kept as instrumentals.
How did the abum title come about?
This is probably the most basic album title I have done. It’s a collection of songs about paintings so ‘Gallery’.
What’s been the reaction from listeners so far?
Really positive. I have had some lovely comparisons, from St Etienne, to Soft Cell. Some Tears for Fears and some Damon Albarn. A nice mix. The two things I am taking most pleasure from though is that people seem to all have differing favourite songs. Lots of different songs have had radio play and been added to play lists. Secondly, people seem to be approaching it as a complete work and listening to the whole thing in one go, which was definitely the intention when making it. I wanted listening to it to feel like you were wandering through an art gallery. I wanted the songs to stand alone, as unique paintings and artworks do, and the whole thing to be like a journey. No one has yet grasped,though, that it has a narrative of sorts.
What was the best experience you had during the creative process of making this album and why?
Possibly the writing of Wet Afternoons. I had finished writing for the album when I saw the work this is based on, a linocut by Ethel Spowers and I could just hear the song. I immediately ran into the studio and started playing piano and about 90 minutes later the whole song was done. They are rarely that easy, but I had the good sense to leave it be and not tinker with it. Something I am trying to do more. If people want more details, search on twitter: #gallerylisteningparty
What’s next for Pocket Lint in 2023?
I am trying to work out how to play live. Whether that ends up being with a very small band or solo I don’t quite know yet, but I hope to do something this year. After that it will be all about the next project. I have an idea in mind; a return to guitars and something almost 60s in feel but exploring sounds with guitars, not just strumming. The working title is ‘An Awfully Big Adventure’ and it will be a collaboration with an old friend.
LINKS:
Bandcamp: https://pocketlint17.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://artists.spotify.com/c/artist/3e9ISbe2dxBM2Ea6VJHWQN/profile/overview
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pocketlintmusic