Introducing: The Balky Mule

We welcome Sam Jones, audio home cooking expert and self taught muli-instrumentalist who writes/records/performs under the moniker The Balky Mule. Although one of FatCat Records newest signings Jones is no stranger to the industry: over the past decade or more he has been a key figure in Bristol’s vibrant post-rock scene, playing alongside his brother Matt in both Crescent and Movietone, as well as in Flying Saucer Attack, Minotaur Shock, and Third Eye Foundation. There are no post-rock flourishes on debut The Length Of The Rail though, the record (which has taken 5 years to complete) is the sound of one man experimenting with his own musical surroundings. Seemingly throwing every instrument lying around into an organic lo-fi melting pot of sweet pop ditties and wyrd folk.

We caught up with Sam a few weeks ago to find about a little more about his sound, influences and inspiration. You can download an exclusive never before heard song ‘Cymbet’ at the bottom of this post.

For people who have never heard of you, give three reasons why they should.
Because I stuck posters for my last gig around their neighbourhood.
A record label (Fat cat) thought my stuff was good enough to put on a CD.
Because they like inventive home recording™.

Can you recall the moment when you first wanted to become a musician?
I didnt think of it as being a musician,but when my parents got a tape recorder I realised I could make ‘radio shows’ and sound collages like the beatles’ Revolution number nine.

Where do your songs come from,whats your inspiration?
I find making a song is very similar to doing a crossword puzzle.for me,normally the music comes first,which often sounds like it needs words.
I find a line from my note book that seems to fit the mood.this would often be a little insight gained from observing really everyday things. Then I peice it together from there.

What are your top 5 records?
Lately I’ve been listening to:
Maher Shalal Hash Baz : Blues du jour
The Curtains : Vehicles of Travel
Alisdair Roberts : The Crook of My Arm
Brother Danielson : Brother to Son
The Velvet Underground : The Velvet Underground

What was your first gig & did it go well?
For my first gig as the Balky Mule, I played drums & sticks with wires taped to them so that when I hit things various circuits got completed. It was a big noise. I had told the promoter/DJ it might be a short show. At the first gap, about 4 minutes in, he happily launched back into his set and everyone cheered, so I left it at that, everyone happy. Someone said to me : “that was great…..do you know what you’re doing!?”

What one peice of criticism has stuck with you & do you think it was justified?
“I hate your music, it’s just ‘poor me,poor me’ .”
While I dont think it’s justified, it’s always worth gaurding against. But I dont think it was really my music that had pissed her off…

What one thing has caused you to waste the most time over the last 6 months.
Heat. I’ve been living in Melbourne, but not close to the fires. I’m lucky, the worst of it for me has been lethargy from sleepless nights, and heat blistered hands that make playing guitar painful.

If you werent playing music what would you be doing?
Having to face up to the other parts of my life, making dinosaurs out of cement in the back yard, or coming up with slogans for supermarket competitions.

What was the worst job you’ve ever had?
My worst job and its reasons for being so are too dreary to go into. Where I’m working now there are four waiters who are also trainee pilots. It’s funny to see them rushing about carrying plates for people who dont know that they spend their days flying round practising to be jumbo jet captains.

We would like you to make us a mix tape.pick 5 songs on a theme of your choice.
The theme is : The messy part of the party.
1.Jeffrey Lewis: ‘We don’t want no LSD tonight’
2.Gilberto Gil: ‘Back in Bahia’
3.Deerhoof: ‘Kidz are so Small’
4.Ornette Coleman: ‘friends and Neighbours’
5.Sun Ra: ‘The Perfect Man’

mp3:> The Balky Mule: ‘Cymbet’ (TLOBF Exclusive non-album track)

The Balky Mule’s debut album The Length Of The Rail is out now on FatCat Records.