Hello Richard, let me cleary state that I have been an admirer of you work for many years and it is indeed an honor to interview you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and views with us.
Thank you for sharing the news and running the 'site.'
What were your musical influences as a teenager? What triggered your involvement with music? Did you start on the bass?
My father was a gigging musician and mum played the piano. So I was 'raised' with music, my father put a Ukelele in my hands at the age of 3 and I began with "She'll be Comin' round the Mountain..." and "Freight Train"
I recall starting school with a banjo about 6yrs old. And had some violin lessons at school, that did'nt last long!
The parents of Hugh and Brian Hopper used to go out to my fathers dance band gigs and it was mentioned that the Hopper lads wanted to start a pop band and needed a guitarist. And so, aged 15, I went to 'Tanglewood' armed with Dads' Selmer Truvoice amp. and a guitar to meet Hugh and Brian, which was the start of 'The Wilde Flowers'...
Musical Influences would have been the pop music at the time, Beatles and Lonnie Donnigan and my father used to record the popular music for his own reportoire from the BBC Radio and so I got familiar with what was in the charts. I went to his gigs around the Kent coast such as Herne Bay Bandstand, every Sunday afternoon.
Later with Hugh and Brian we were listening to the jazz greats, 'Out to Lunch' by Eric Dolphy is still a favourite.
I would have started playing bass at the beginning of Caravan.
How do you go about the composing process? What instrument(s) do you write on? What brands of bass do you play? Guitars?
The tunes for me come from the guitar as melodies that I like to sing to. And somtimes from a bass line.
I'm still playing the fretless bass, of a rescued Fender jazz neck on an Ash body made by my Dad in 1975.
I'm also making a five string fretless with a Fender neck. I like to work on the instuments myself and am always changing and making new ones. At times I work on other peoples instruments, customising and setting them up etc.
Guitars I am playing at present are, Aria classical, Washburn electric semi-acoustic.
To the uninitiated- What is Canterbury Music? Do you consider it a musical `label' such as progressive or metal?
What is Canterbury Music? well, NY writer friend Ken Egbert says it's "...wonderful original music, an undulating, delightfully inventive blend often based on Anglican church hymnery, jazz, folk music, early 20th century classical music, (all done up with rock instruments and amplification) which has positively stood the test of time" but then, he's a writer!
From the group 'Wilde Flowers' emerged 'The Soft Machine' 'Caravan' 'Gong' 'Kevin Ayres and the Whole World' and others which is known as the Canterbury Scene. There is now an extensive 'Family Tree' arising from the players of the 'Wilde Flowers'
It has become a 'label' from all the things that have been written and published about it!
The music writer Al Clarke started to 'coin the phrase' by coming to Canterbury to interview us members of Caravan and Soft Machine, for the NME and 'Time Out'.
I think that it is good for us all to be part of it, I was born here and my grandparents were also Canterbury Entertainers in the Victorian music halls. So I'm not uncomfortable about it.
The classic question. If you were stranded on a desert island (With a CD player and batteries), and you could have any ten albums, what would you choose and why?
I would be happy to land on a desert island with nobody else's music, just me and the nature and if I did'nt have my guitar with me, I would pretty quickly make somthing to get a noise out of, even if it was just a bunch of coconuts.
As I type this interview, I'm listening to your Caravan of Dreams album- and just finished the song- `Only the Brave...' I love the lyrics, what are they about? "it's rumored that his flippers failed to open at three feet" call me curious please explain that line.
These lyrics were written by Hugh Hopper about the other members of Caravan!
Pye Hastings and his moling business, for reboring out the Victorian sewage systems he's known by some as 'Methane Man'
Dave Sinclair and his Piano Shop 'Avenue Pianos', Herne Bay and wife Sally was from the 'Dolphin Hotel' on Herne Bay sea front.
Richard Coughlan, now pub landlord, when overzealous after a drink at the beach at Whitstable,
he slipped off the 3ft. high breakwater (and was then hospitalised with a knee injury afterwards).
From 1968-72, 1981-82, 1990-92), you were in the famous Canterbury band- Caravan. What was your favorite lineup? Favorite album? Song? Why did you leave in 1972 and what prompted you to rejoin in 1981 and 1990?
The original line-up with Jimmy Hastings.
'Caravan' first album.
'Love Song with flute' with Jimmy Hastings on.
I left for better musical ideas. And more playing of music together with others.
It would have been a fun project to do.
In 1988 I began 'Richard Sinclair's Caravan of Dreams' and as we put out the publicity, there was an overwhelming response from people requesting to hear me with Caravan again and so we reformed the band and played a few live concerts including the show for Central TV in 1990.
I had played for the 'Hatfield and the North' show, in the first 'Bedrock' series and asked the producer if he would like a Caravan show.
Let's talk about Hatfield and the North. Who thought up all the hilarious track titles (for example- `Big Jobs (Poo Poo Extract'), on their two albums? Why were the song named in this fashion? What were the circumstances that broke up Hatfield and the North? Do you think the 1990 Central TV 'Bedrock' one-show reunion was a true Hatfield & the North reunion?
'Big Jobs and Poo Poo and the Wee Wees' probably Lol Coxhill who used to sing a song called "Do the Poo Poo Baby" - a joke on all the Dance Band music at the time.
Some titles are 'incidental' - after all the endeavour on the actual music!
As for the other titles, we would all have thought them up.
I left Hatfield primarily because there was financial hardship, despite interest from 'Virgin' and I had a family by then.
We never thought of it as a 'reunion' really, so it probably was'nt!
Obviously Dave Stewart was asked to take part but he was unavailable at the time and we all just worked hard to put together a show. Phil, Pip and Sophia wanted to contribute some of their new writing, my contribution was "Share It", "Halfway Between Heaven & Earth", "It Did'nt Matter Anyway"...
You have such a magical fluid style of bass playing and that signature voice, why did you stay away from the music business during the mid to late 90's?
In 1996 we did a weekend festival called 'Canterbury Music in Harlingen' Friesland (NL), with the help of local friends (team leader Teatse Vogelaar)
Starting with 'English High Tea' and a class of Harlingen children singing with me, free admission,
Teatse's idea, very nice - "somthing for the local people"
The 'Richard Sinclair Band' was Hans Waterman (drums), David Rees-Williams (piano), Tony Coe (sax), Patrice Meyer (guitar)
'Hugh Hopper Band' and Robert Jan 'Stipps' Band too.
and on the Sunday after 'English Breakfast in the Marquee' we took the audience to church and David played the magnificent old organ and Tony Coe played some clarinet, with me singing in this great natural acoustic space.
We have recently released this performance on CD 'What in the World' incidently!
The local people were so hospitable and friendly and we were offered the chance to stay there, live over a pub with a live music cellar and lots of work on peoples homes and instruments and a little teaching.
Then, Heather and I rented a small house in a village on the outskirts of Harlingen with a nature reserve and it was good to be part of Europe for a while.
Your lyrics can contain a vast arrange of content and styles and sometimes include references, humor (tongue & cheek), and insightful word-play. Do you enjoy humor in music?
"Does your Chewing Gum loose it's flavour, on the Bedpost Overnight?" and remember,
"Never let your braces dangle"
What music-related experience would you consider to be your most rewarding? What era/band would you like to continue/regroup and create music again? Would you like to explore any musical territory? Are there any performers you'd like to work with?
The traveling and meeting so many people.
I'm presently exploring new territory on a co-writing project with Theo Travis.
And we are playing some Duo concerts in August which is also new territory!
Last year I was invited to Norway and Japan to play with students and local players which was a project that left us musicians loaded with creative inspiration. I am planning to return to work on some recordings with the new musician friends in those countries.
I'll also be working with U.S.A. players in August, which are new collaborations: With Jerry Cook (drums) and Greg Sherman (keys)and 'Glass' members for 'Progman Cometh' and meeting up with others in LA afterwards, if all goes well.
Maybe I should jump on the "Jam Band-wagon" and make a 'Richard Sinclairs' Jam Band'
There are many fine musicians old and young that I would like to work with!
What is your favorite book? Movie? Hobbies/interests outside music? You were a carpenter for a while, what do you do when you are not creating music?
'Lord of the Rings'
Walt Disney's 'Bambi'
I love traveling: exploring landscapes and finding uninhabited wild places.
Cycling and camping (all very inspirational for the music)
and taking a sketch book and camera, with my partner in life.
Making things, cooking and eating and sleeping soundly.
I still do carpentary somtimes, house interiors, furniture repairs and on solid body instruments, making and modifying.
I play my guitar or bass every day.
Do you listen to other Canterbury bands? Who?
The mates such as Phil Miller, who give me their CDs to listen to, yes!
I'm listening usually to people who I'm working with, right now the CDs of Theo Travis and David Rees-Williams.
But I went out and bought Robert Wyatts 'Dondestan' and 'Schleep' (and they are available in the shops).
What is Richard Sinclair doing now? Will we see any new composition in the near future?
Getting some concerts together in Italy, Japan and U.S.A. and hopefully the UK.
Confirmed Live Dates coming up:
August 1,2 and 3 : 'PROGMAN COMETH' Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA. U.S.A. www.TwoMonkeyFinger.com
Richard Sinclair and Theo Travis Duo:
August 24 : 'CANTERBURY FAYRE' Acoustic Stage, Mount Ephraim, Nr. Canterbury. G.B. www.canterburyfayre.com
November 15 : 'PROGENY' Astoria, London. G.B.
Some recording sessions for cousin Dave Sinclair's new album. Dave is hoping to release the album in September.
Yes there shall be some new music soon, people can keep in touch directly or see the website http://www.sinclairsongs.fsnet.co.uk
which is still 'under construction', but new releases and live concert dates will be posted up there.
Richard, please tell the Internet community about- Richard Sinclair and Theo Travis Duo. How did this `group' form? Please explain the music on the album. Do you wish to continue this collaboration? Also your collaboration with David Rees Williams and Tony Cole, how did this come about? What do you like best on the album?
I played a Solo support slot for 'Daevid Allen's University of Errors' at 'The Garage' London, last Autumn and Theo was there to play along with 'the Errors' ( having played lots with 'Gong' ) and so we met up then.
And then Theo came to Canterbury for a day to play through some ideas...
We're now working on some new tunes together.
Tony Coe's Father and my Father used to play music together.
Tony played a wonderful piece on my studio album 'R.S.V.P. back in 1994 and then some live concerts after that.
He'd played with David Rees-Williams many times and it was Tony who suggested David would be good...
Well this is a live performance and so it brings back all those memeories of being there and doing it in Harlingen.
In the past, some Prog/creative bands have caved into selling out their creativity for marketable success (ex- Genesis). How much pressure was it throughout your career to venture into commercial waters and make more money? As you have matured, have your musical priorities changed?
The closest I got to 'commercial' was with 'Camel' with real wages which was great.
I did appear on 'Top of the Pops' for Eddie Grundy (from the BBC Radio series The Archers)
with his hit "Oo Arr - Oo Arr" as a session player with 'Fiddlers Dram'
and with Robert Wyatt on "I'm a Believer", do they count as selling out?
David Rees-Williams and I have joked about making a Christmas single together, to make some dosh!...
I would say that the priority for me with the music is to still keep on improving it and experimenting with it and now there is the rewarding possibility of being able to pass it on to younger musicians who are genuinely inspired by it.
Now we make and sell our own CDs directly to people and at concerts and we do the artwork and sleevenotes.
You recorded a video concert of your `Caravan of Dreams' tour. I can not find it anywhere. Is there a web site or company that US fans can go to purchase it?
I commissioned the filming of an outdoor concert in Canterbury (for the Kent & Canterbury Hospital, 'Life for Laura' campaign)
which was a 'Richard Sinclair's Caravan of Dreams' concert.
Me with Andy Ward (drums), Vince Clarke (percussion), Dave Sinclair (keys), Jimmy Hastings, (flutes and sax), Rick Biddulph (bass), Alan Clarke (harmonicas).
Is this what you mean?
This film never made it to an editing suite.
If there was enough interest for it, we could release it yet!. Video and DVD.
Your cousin Dave was at the Nearfest 2002 festival with Caravan. The set was great (but they didn't play `Golf Girl' or `In the Land of Grey and Pink'- sigh), Will Richard Sinclair ever be a part of Caravan again? Is music as important to you now as say 25 years ago?
Well as you know, there is a new 'Caravan' line-up now and I doubt if I shall be invited to play with them again.
I would be happy to do it, if I were asked to do so but it is not my decision to make.
(I am still waiting for a complementary copy of 'Green Bottles for Marjorie' and any other of my performances that they have released without my knowledge, in fact. And what's this 'Songs for Oblivion Fisherman' that I see on the discography? who has released that?and where's my copy?)
The music is more important to me now because I'm playing with some really fine musicians and the music can only get better.
I'm at the start of a new project which is all very exciting.
Open forum. Do you have any words to the Prog fans out there? Or to young inspiring musicians?
Andy Ward once sent me a postcard from sunny climes that said
"Rich, did you know that there is no word for the back of the knee?"
Thank you so much for this interview. I await with baited breath- the next recording by you. Hope it's in the very near future.
Best Wishes and thank you for sharing you answers and thoughts- Lee
Thank you Lee for your time and energy for the music. Your kind words are most appreciated.
Best Regards,
Richard Sinclair.
