Today we meet Meet – Huw Eddy & The Carnival and let me just say this is a fun way to start off the week. My first thought is how cool the mix is of all the different instruments , awesome combination of strings, horns , folk indie , it’s just a big party.
About the Carnival
Igniting from the depths of the cider guzzling South- West countryside bypassing Birmingham, nabbing a tap dancing amusement vendor from Blackpool, and nicking a fish gutting organ fiddler from the Shetland Islands, Huw Eddy and his Carnival were born in Leeds, pedalling sound waves with a gob stopping core of Indie folk rock, yet a cream topping of blues and modern Indie Pop. Influences range from folk stalwarts such as ‘The Fleet Foxes’ & ‘Neutral milk Hotel’ to early ‘The Black Keys’ and whisperings of ‘The Doors’ all encapsulated in a current modern setting. Having been schooled for an entire childhood by the evil Cathedral Choirs of middle England, Huw’s voice comes from a point of difference and has been described as unique. Along with his band of talented players they bring you songs that both aim to tug at the heart strings and have you stamping your feet and clapping your paws in merriment. The bands first year has been a success; their single ‘Fading’ Featured as BBC Scotland’s ‘Track of the week’ by Janice Forsyth as well as national and regional plays on BBC Introducing. They have just finished their first UK tour and have embarked on their festival run.
Meet – Huw Eddy & The Carnival
For those unfamiliar with your history, can you tell us you decided to give this whole music thing a shot?
Well, it all started for me when I became a choir boy in a cathedral at a really young age. I was being submerged into amazing music day in day out and it just became an extremely central part of my existence. At a slightly later age I rebelled against classical music a little and began to listen to rock, Indie and a lot of folk. It’s been a complete blur for me in terms of my relationship with music as its been the thing that I’ve done my whole life, however the one moment I knew I truly wanted to be a songwriter and knew I was deeply in love with the art form is when I heard Jeff Buckley’s song ‘Grace’ for the first time in a GCSE music class. That song had a massive influence on me and I found it extremely powerful with its darkness and raw emotion that exudes from it and obviously his voice. That was kind of an epiphany moment for me that sparked what I am doing today.
Who would you list as your musical influences?
Really not a massive fan of this question like I think a lot of songwriters aren’t because it’s so difficult. If I was to list five artists that have made the most impact to me however they would be;
The Beatles
Nick Drake
Neutral Milk Hotel
Jeff Buckley
Alex Turner
What’s the coolest thing that’s happened to you as a band since you started up?
We had the track of the week on BBC Scotland back in April which was pretty cool, however the coolest thing really is when on tour all the awesome people you meet who buy a CD or who genuinely like what we are doing and then come back the next time. People who enjoy themselves when they are listening to us is the coolest thing!
Any thoughts on the next album? Have you written any new songs that you want to tell us about?
We’re looking forward to developing this sound which is truly in its early stage and has so many possibilities of development and avenues in which we can travel down! That’s all we’ll say for now!
What are some of your fav albums from the past few years?
From the past few years I’d have to say,
Lana del Rey; ‘Born to die’ (for its sheer atmosphere and sinister feel)
Last Shadow Puppets; Everything you’ve come to expect
Paolo Nutini ‘Caustic Love’
Gogol Bordello ‘Pura Vida Conspiracy’
Do you see any real use for social media, or is it all just a pain in the ass to keep up with?
I do see a use for it, apart from it being completely necessary in today’s modern world we try and look at it like a scrap book of our progress and memories that we can share with an unlimited amount of people and they can add to it with us.
Do you pay attention to reviews or comments from people about your music or do you just turn that noise off?
I was once in a really crap band when I was 15 (weren’t we all ey) and we got slated by some low life local BBC reporter. From then I learned that it really means nothing and its only one person’s opinion. Ignore it I say! That’s if its negative. If it’s positive, then hooray. In all seriousness though you have to have a lot of pinches of salt ready in this industry and its part of the fun journey isn’t it! A bad review is something you can learn from and is often very good for a band to be slated a couple of times!
If you could tour anywhere in the world, where would you want to go?
Australia looks really really fun. I don’t think there’s anywhere we wouldn’t want to go though if we get the chance!!
Can music save the mortal soul or is just a good backbeat to your life?
Of course it can, it is the most powerful medicine for the soul, I truly believe. It can conjure any emotion from within. If there was no music there would be no point to anything. It will never go out of fashion and it will never stop progressing and that’s hopefully the reason why most of us are embarking on this mad game of duck duck goose, I guess.
Any last thoughts for your fans?
We hope you enjoy the music and it makes you feel something,
