ORLANDO INTERVIEW
Found on a teletext page of a TV music channel...
Duo Orlando sound like a cross between The Smiths,Erasure,60s girl groups and contemporary boy bands.On the eve of the release of their debut single,Just For A Second,we spoke to vocalist Tim and songwriter Dickon to discuss the meaning of pop.
SO,ARE YOU THE NEW PET SHOP BOYS?
Dickon: Well,it's a compliment.We had a drink with Neil Tennant recently,he likes our stuff,so he doesn't mind.
PSB ARE OFTEN LABELLED IRONIC...
Tim: Irony is just an excuse for being passionate.It's a total waste of time and energy.Wit is more important.
WHAT ABOUT THE SMITHS COMPARISON?
Dickon: It's great being compared to Morrissey.He's the greatest lyricist of the 20th century.He's lost it recently,though.There's no desperation or air of being alone,jobless, and feeling as though you're about to starve to death at any minute.
THE WHOLE MISFITS MENTALITY DOES SEEM VERY IMPORTANT TO ORLANDO.
Tim: We were the kind of people who lived through the Smiths lyrics written on our school books.We realised no matter how hard we tried to be like everyone else,we just couldn't do it.
IS THAT WHAT THE SINGLE IS ABOUT?
Dickon: It's about fear of failure.I've never had any self confidence.I'm not good at life.If I had a terminal illness I wouldn't mind too much.
WHICH CURRENT MUSIC DO YOU LIKE?
Tim: Odd bands like Dubstar or Divine Comedy because they don't fit in either...The Spice Girls! [pulls out a fan club card].How could anyone make records like Heavy Stereo after them?
ANY THOUGHTS ON OASIS?
Dickon: They're brilliant.Our song Nature's Hated was an attempt to write an Oasis song without the guitars.We also tried to write a song for Robbie when he left Take That,but we kept it.
WHY ARE KULA SHAKER SO POPULAR?
Dickon: The singer's fiendishly attractive.He looks like his mother in a boy's body.If they put him on the single sleeves wearing just black lycra shorts,everything would be explained.
WHAT WOULD YOUR IDEAL STAGE SET BE?
Tim: I'd walk down a massive flight of stairs singing.We'd have fireworks and hydraulics...
Dickon: ...with the guy from Kula Shaker go-go dancing for us! He'll be on the dole soon anyway.
WHAT ARE YOUR FANS LIKE?
Dickon: Sensitive,awkward girls who like Richey Manic too much.
HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE FAME?
Dickon: It's like oxygen,but it has to be worldwide fame.I couldn't stand it if someone in Borneo didn't know us.
HOW IS THE RECORDING OF THE LP GOING?
Tim: It sounds like a compilation of A sides.We're calling it Passive Soul,or Prescence,but that may well change.