On Song :: Leo Abrahams

After receving a highly respectable 81% on the TLOBF-O-METER for current album The Grape and The Grain (out now on Just Music), we thought it was about time we caught up with its creator; guitar aficionado Leo Abrahams. He gave us the lowdown on what makes him tick on a musical level.

What was the first song that really caught your imagination?
It was a piece of classical music – Grieg’s ‘In The Hall Of The Mountain King’ from the Peer Gynt Suite. Unfortunately now probably (over)familiar to most as the theme tune of the recently-defunct Alton Towers.

What was the music your parents liked and do you think it’s influenced you at all?
They had quite a large vinyl collection that was stylistically all over the place, so whereas I benefited from early exposure to Dylan, Zappa, Ry Cooder and Mozart, I was also infected by Lloyd-Webber.

What posters did you have on your wall as a kid?
I had a skeleton cut-out thing with movable limbs. A draught caught it one day and made me cry from fear. Then later on, Tori Amos.

Which songs or albums would you play at a party?
Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog album. Tom Waits. And when I start secretly wishing everyone would leave, Muse.

Which songs remind you of a rainy day?
‘Street Spirit’ by Radiohead. And ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic’ (I once went on a date/picnic and it rained but it was fun).

Which album do you seek solace in when you are feeling sad?
I have a friend called James Wolff and I always listen to his music at those times. He has a song called ‘The Spaces You Occupied’ on his MySpace that is the greatest heartbreak song ever.

Which album would you play when you wanted to get down to some lovin’?
I don’t want to reveal that. But as a music obsessive it has to be something I know well, or else I end up getting distracted by elements of the production.

What music was, or would be, the “first dance” at your wedding?
I have no idea what it would be. Expect I’d have to go along with whatever the wife wanted.

What was the first gig you went to as a paying customer?
Either Boulez conducting Stravinslky’s ‘Rite Of Spring’ at the Barbican, or Nik Kershaw at the Forum. I can’t remember.

Name the one song you think everyone should hear.
That’s a tough one, but I’ll go for ‘Farmer In The City’ by Scott Walker.

Which one artist do you think not enough people know about?
James Wolff

What’s the best thing you’ve heard recently?
The Books – all 3 of their albums are, for me, about as wonderful as music can possibly be.

Dead or alive, what 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?
I’d be worried they’d show me up, so I’d get my set out of the way at midday when everyone was arriving and setting up their tents. Then I’d get Tom Waits, Frank Zappa, The Books, Paco Pena and David Byrne.

We’d like you to make us a mix-tape. Pick five tracks with a theme of your choice.
I don’t believe that anyone will actually make such a tape. But let’s say the theme is songs in foreign languages. So:
‘Oy Adem’ by Yat Kha; ‘Yaylalar’ by Selda; ‘Tuirimh Mhic Fhinin Dhuibh’ by Iarla O’Lionaird; ‘Sigur 1′ by Sigur Ros; ‘Ne Me Quittes Pas’ by Jacques Brel

And finally, who would win in a fight: a stoat or a goat and why?
I think a stoat would inflict a series of minor wounds that would eventually wear the goat down. But I’m a vegetarian and don’t approve of this kind of thing.

Leo Abrahams on MySpace