Pumajaw
1) Who are you, who is in the band, who does what in the studio and on stage?
PUMAJAW are producer/multi-instrumentalist John Wills (who is also drummer in art-rock band Loop) and singer-songwriter/concertina player Pinkie Maclure.
2) How long have you been writing and performing in this way?
Since 2000, possibly longer!
3) How exactly do you work / write / record?
We don’t have a fixed way of working – sometimes I write a song and John arranges it on pro-tools, sometimes vice versa. We record everything at home out in the sticks where we can make a lot of noise. John worked professionally as an engineer & producer for many years. We’re entirely independent.
4) How do you feel your studio/recording style informs the way you perform your music live?
It’s the same thing. We work hard to make sure the live sound is as good as the studio.We started in 2000 as an electronic duo, when technology was quite limited. Then we went more acoustic but soon got bored with that, so now we have returned to electronic music, but still using acoustic instruments as well, with references to jazz, film soundtracks, it’s a kind of retro-futuristic approach. We’re anti fashion and just love brave music of any genre. We’ve made six albums so far.
5) What’s been happening lately and what’s new with you?
We did a Fringe show last summer called Song Noir, which we are going to develop into something bigger and better next year by working with a theatre director. We’re also still doing ‘normal’ gigs, as we have a big back catalogue that we enjoy performing. We’re touring Italy in January and will be playing odd gigs through the spring in the Uk before starting work on Song Noir. The album Song Noir is still being recorded, due out early 2014.
6) When was the last time you played Edinburgh (and where)? What do you remember about that experience?
We played a low-key free gig at the Voodoo Rooms in September in which a very drunk man shrieked and bellowed with delight from start to finish of the set. Thank god he liked us.
7) If you’ve played Limbo before, what did you like/rate about the experience? If you’ve not played Limbo before, what have you heard about it?
It’s a fantastic night to play, because the room is great, the DJs and PA are great and the organisers demand high standards. I always hear exciting new music there.
8) What’s next, coming up after this gig, for you and what are you generally looking forward to right now…?
‘Song Noir’ is in the pipeline, we have been very busy, especially as John has been away with Looop who just curated ATP. But that’s done now so it should be finished over xmas.
9) How do you feel about Scottish independence and the whole ‘Yes’ campaign? Have you decided which way you’re voting yet (and, if so, what’s your decision)?
I’m going to vote yes. Having lived in London for years, coming back to Scotland surprised me, as there is a certain lack of confidence here that I think can only be changed by independence.
10) Is there anything else you feel strongly about that you’d like to tell us about right now?
If you’re going to do music, give it your all and don’t be lame.
(answered ‘in a bit of a rush!’ by Pinkie)
