The Noisettes
Shingai Shoniwa rants about all things noisy...
Speaking to Rocklouder from the back of their rickety Transit van on the way to a support slot on Muse's monolithic tour, vocalist and bassist of London trio The Noisettes, Shingai Shoniwa, rants about all things noisy...
Do you to use prefer tape, vinyl, CD or mp3?
Tape. I love them because you can fix them yourself and put them back together again and they're compact and easy to carry around. You can mix songs together, so have a verse by Hendrix and a bridge by Madonna. I haven't made a mix tape for ages though 'cause I've been on the road and I don't have a computer so I can't make CD compilations for people.
How do you survive without a computer?
There's always one nearby and you never miss what you never have. I think it's forced me to use my imagination more. I write things down instead of typing - I wouldn't make a very good secretary!
What's your favourite album of all time?
It's always changing but it would probably be a Hendrix or King Crimson album. King Crimson are from the UK and they're quite folkloric, with quite old, heavy guitars.
What song makes you dance no matter what?
Something by SWV, a late nineties, over-produced R&B band with really glossy vocals - nothing like mine!
What album brings a tear to your eye?
A lot of East African guitar music that reminds me of the stuff my mum used to play hen I was little. It brings back tears of joy really. It's often happy music that can tinge something from the past; it doesn't have to be sad to make you cry. Saying that, Johnny Cash's cover of Nine Inch Nails's 'Hurt' is really beautiful, but the video's enough to make you topple over even further.
What album do you wish you'd made?
'Black Dots' by Bad Brains. It's just so fast and playful punk and it's quite theatrical as well.
What song reminds you of the summer just gone?
Anything by Acoustic Ladyland. We played with them before at Brixton, they're amazing.
What's high on rotation on your van stereo at the moment?
'Bohemian Rhapsody' has been playing quite a lot because it's a great song to sing-along to when you're trying to exit Birmingham on the motorway. It's really steering us on through the M6. We've got a running joke with Birmingham - every time we play something drastic happens, someone either dislocates their arm or something. It always goes tits up in Birmingham! This time Jamie had a fever when we were playing and he carried on playing, but nearly collapsed afterwards.
Who makes the most noise in the band?
I'd probably say Dan and Dan would probably say me, so I'm going to say Jamie.
Did you ever think that the noise you make would take you this far?
Never, but I'm quite a believer in luck and I put a lot of enthusiasm and energy into it, so it's great to get something back.
How's the tour going so far?
Yeah it's going good, man. We've been rockin' out many places. I've got acid green hair plaited in my hair. Crazy hair and makeup is a big part of my performance. Actually, it's quite a big part of the whole band - everyone's got quite a lot of hair!
Who's going to be noisier - you or Muse?
If you wanna count the buzzing coming through the generators of their light show then I'd definitely say Muse. It's like the 'Fifth Element' with a rock opera on top and the crazy disco lights you get on the dodgems [at a fairground]. We've just got a different dynamic.
How did you get that support slot?
They heard our album 'cause our drummer bumped into one of them at Reading and they said they had a tour coming up and they really liked our album.
What gets you really worked up and makes you want to shout a lot?
All kinds of little things. I can get wound up at watching Eastenders or before I go on stage if we're playing to thousands of people.
How important is performance to you and how do you keep each show different from the last one?
By having our attitude, every show is different. Performance is a wonderful thing and I think that people deserve to be entertained. It might the only gig that someone sees in their whole life or someone's last gig. I think if you imagine that then you're alright and if not, you might not appreciate it as much. Using your emotions is better than being mediocre all the time.
What British bands stick out for you at the moment?
Chrome Hoof are really amazing. A band called The Plugs are really cool. We nicked their guitar player for a week on the first leg of the Muse tour. I'm really excited about loads of stuff coming out right now. I think it's going to be a year where if you can't cut it it's going to show. Bands have to stick together and help each other out but credit where credit is due, you can't like everything.
How was the idea for you're amazing new video formed?
The director, Olly Partisan, came to few of our gigs and got a feel for our live shows and the different levels that we like to take it to, and was inspired by the visual aspects of our shows, like the make up. There's a kind of superstition theme going on. He asked me what my five favourite make up ideas were and wanted to do them all at the same time. We wanted it to be crazy and fast so that people want to rewind bits. We didn't want to waste that space at all.
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