Hint
July 29th, 2003 by susanna
Real Name?
‘Jonathan James’
Job?
‘Musician / DJ’
Habitat?
‘A bungalow, in a field, in a small village in West Sussex.’
Hobbies / Passions?
‘Making music, listening to music, daydreaming.’
Favourite pie?
‘Apple + Cinnamon’
Drink?
‘Tea in all its seductive forms.’
Ideal evening chilling at home?
‘Walking the dog, then feeding and watching the fish and moorhens that live in and around my pond, followed by some good old fashioned thinking time.’
Ideal evening chilling out?
‘Some instruments, something to record them with and an inexhaustible supply of tea. Location is irrelevant.’
Favourite places?
‘My portakabin, Brighton, Paris, Bristol and various record shops around the country. I’m also pretty sure that I love Japan, even though I’ve never been there.’
What are the symptoms of Portakabin Fever?
‘Mistrust of anybody who lives in a permanent structure, fear of tin openers and a longing for central heating.’
Who does all your pretty pictures? (see www.hinteractive.co.uk)
‘The extremely talented Will Barras. We’ll be dusting him off for the day when we play at Eastnor this year, so everybody will be able to see him in action onstage.’
What is the perfect mix tape?
‘Like a cheap sausage, it must consist of as many diverse, mysterious and unexpected ingredients as possible, compressed into a neat package.’
Ruralbeat is…. ?
‘The sound of the South Downs©.’
What are you reading these days?
‘I have just finished re-reading one of my favourite books – ‘The History of Rasselas, Prince Of Abissinia’ by Samuel Johnson. It’s a short and charming tale about the search for happiness.’
Are you a political animal?
‘I have my own principles, beliefs and opinions so I guess that’s a yes.’
What gets the goosebumps rising for you musically at the moment?
‘Peru You, Billy Mahonie, Domu, Troubleman, Seiji, Radiohead, Bonnie Prince Billy, I’m Not A Gun, The Rapture, The new Ty 12″, ″Marquee Moon″ by Television… I could go on!’
Top ten influences of all time (musical or otherwise)?
1. Family
2. Friends
3. My last job, in a record shop
4. Top Of The Pops 1977 – present day
5. Too many poets, authors, artists and playwrights to list.
6. The Beatles
7. Hip Hop
8. Alternative guitar music in all its variations
9. My current habitat
10. T.V.
What are you working on at present?
‘My live show for Eastnor, my next LP for Ninja and a couple of secret projects that may never appear.’
What would most like to achieve over the next five years?
‘I’d like to have written as much music as possible and to have taken every opportunity that has come my way in the topsy-turvy world of pop.’
What would you like to see change most in the world over the next five
years?
‘Thinking about this question makes my head hurt!’
Highlight of your life so far?
‘Being invited to record a Peel Session really changed both the way I felt and the way those around me felt about my chosen career path.’
Top Big Chill moment?
‘Being asked to play again at Eastnor this year.’
Describe the essence of The Big Chill in a few words…
‘It’s like Woodstock, but with added clothes. And pies. And beats.’
Cider or cheese?
‘Let’s face facts. You can’t put cider in a bap.’
Hint’s debut album ‘Portakabin Fever’ is out now on Hombre
Interview: Christina Patrick
