BEING NOSEY WITH ...
Brian Stone
Sitting here trying to figure out when I first met Brian has been a absolute nightmare, I know it was last year, but when.. I cannot think for the life of me at all! Although, I didn't know he could play guitar and sing then.. Now I know he is a guitar playing, rum drinking, and singing amazing friend of mine!
Firstly, How does it feel having so many people singing your songs back at you?
It sounds daft because I'm writing songs with a few catchy lyrics but I'm still taken by surprised when I hear it. It's bloody lovely how people have taken to the songs and it feels really good when folk sing along. Really, really good.
Who has been your biggest influence for you to write and sing your own songs?
Of course there are always a lot of influences but if I had to pick just one person it would have to be the amazing Gaz Brookfield. The way he writes personal songs on just about any subject is totally inspirational. Listening to Gaz's work has taught me to relax and just write about my own experiences and feelings. I still find it hard but if I keep at it perhaps one day I'll write as well as Brookfield writes; and I haven't even come close to it yet.
If you could learn to play any instrument in the world, what would it be?
Well it's a big if, but if I had the necessary talent I'd love to be able to play the Chapman Stick. It's a kind of guitar with 12 strings you play with both hands on the fret board. It must take insane levels of coordination and skill. When I was younger I wanted to be able to play lead guitar like Ritchie Blackmore or Joe Satriani. But more realistically I'll settle for being able to bash out a tune on the penny whistle. Might be able to manage that.
Many people have given you a lot of support, If you can thank them in any way, How would you thank them?
I don't think I can thank them enough. And there are far too many to name individually. Here seems like a pretty good place to make a stab at it though. To all the festival organisers, promoters, musicians, bands and most of all fans of real, raw, live music shared with great friends, to all of you who have had faith in me, encouraged me, booked me for a party, support act or festival slot, designed or bought daft t shirts, thrown knickers, sung along and most of all laughed and had a great time I raise a glass of rum and thank you from my bottom - I mean the bottom of my heart. Let's keep doing it while we can. Cheers!
There is one person who does deserve special thanks though and that is my partner and best friend of 32 years. How Karen puts up with me I do not know. Our lives have changed hugely over the past couple of years and I can't imagine any of it without her. She is, quite simply, amazing.
If you could choose any Festival or gig to play, Where would it be?
Do you know what, I have no burning desire to play any huge venues or anything. Would be amazing to play Beautiful Days one day as so many of my great festival friends love the festival and would be there for me. And of course The Levellers have been a massive and recurring influence on the music in my life.
Can you describe yourself and your music in 3 words?
Enthusiastic. Lively. Bonkers?
As an artist, where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time?
Hopefully still doing what I'm doing now. But 5 years ago I hadn't got the slightest inkling I would be where I am now so I have really no idea where I'll be in 5 more years. I intend to continue to make the most of any opportunities I'm lucky enough to come across. There are new possibilities constantly coming along so let's see where life's currents take me.
What would you say was your biggest opportunity so far in your musical career? Please describe for people who weren't there.
This is an easy one. When Gail 'Something Else' offered me a vacant slot in the tea tent at 8pm on the Sunday of Watchet Festival in 2015 it was a massive opportunity and the biggest step on the amazing journey to where I am now. The previous year I'd picked up the guitar again after a long break, inspired to learn songs by acts I'd quickly come to love from the alternative festival scene. That summer I started playing and singing those songs around firepits and jams, and loved performing again. A brief impromptu support set for Greenman Rising the previous month gave me the confidence to take to the stage at Watchet supported by many amazing friends. With Gail's encouragement I continued writing my own material and with the help of many others have played loads of great gigs since. And it has all grown from the seed of that first gig at Watchet.
You play the guitar very well, What was the first song you ever learned to play?
Thanks, but I could be an awful lot better. It's going back a bit but I learned my first chords from my dad when I was still a young kid. A teacher at secondary school then taught me to play 12 bar blues. I honestly can't remember the first song I played: it was getting on for 40 years ago! I then formed a 4-piece band in the last years at school and we played Beatles, Stones and Kinks numbers from the 60's. I would love to meet up with Mickey, Nick and Paul again for another go at those songs.
You go to many music festivals, What was your first ever experience of a music festival?
My wife Karen & I have been going to gigs for decades. These were largely heavy metal and rock, although one totally amazing gig at Brixton Academy introduced us to The Levellers, a band that would end up influencing us perhaps more than any other. Then a couple of years ago we got a little camper van (our Bumble) and decided to go to the first ever Something Else Somewhere Else festival to see a mate of ours in his band Pyrates!. We knew no one else there and not one of the bands. The first act we saw was Gaz Brookfield; we were blown away. Then the first night was headlined by Leatherat and they almost out-did the Levellers for us. By the time Ferocious Dog headlined the Saturday night we were well and truly hooked. But it wasn't just the music. We were made to feel so welcome and made some great friends there and then, with others destined to become friends over the course of that summer. We've never looked back.
What advice would you give to people who want to pursue in music?
Well first of all just do it. It's great fun to sing and play music so take any opportunity to pick up an instrument and give it a go. Then keep at it. If you want to be a performer as well as a musician then make sure your audience sees the passion you have for your music. When I'm in the crowd the acts I love the most are the ones I can connect with and where I can see how much they enjoy playing.
If you could change ANYTHING about the music industry what would it be?
Well I know virtually nothing about the industry. I've had very little interest and even less involvement in any aspects of mainstream music and from what little I understand virtually everything sounds like it needs changing. I have had a fair bit to do with the alternative/independent/unsigned circuit now though and that is run on love, passion and enormous un-recognised talent that I wouldn't change for the world.
Brian is an amazing musician and you can check him out on YouTube and Facebook, He is playing at many festivals this year including Wistful which only has 40 tickets left so get 'em whilst you can! Huge thanks to Brian for doing this with me, you are an absolute star!