The Loose Salute's story is almost as heart warmingly sunny and whimsical as their music. While drummer/guitarist/vocalist Ian McCutcheon, formerly of bands Slowdive and Mojave 3, was recording in London he heard Lisa Billson singing along to Bob Dylan's 'Sad Eyed Lady From The Lowlands' in the kitchen. After this chance encounter, he knew she was the girl he wanted to sing his songs. In turn she brought friend Charlotte King into the mix, followed by Pete Greenwood, who McCutcheon discovered at a gig and invited him to join the fun. With the addition of McCutcheon's friend Alan Forrester, The Loose Salute was complete.
Their debut album, 'Tuned To Love' was released in June 2008 on EMI's Heavenly Records to great critical acclaim. Described as a mix of dream pop, surf rock and folk, the band's home of Cornwall plays a big role in their music - citing influences of sunny days and mellow waves as important factors. Their dreamy music is both soothing and heartbreaking at times, with Billson's voice so delicately lamenting about lost love in new single 'Why We'd Fight', which was released this week.
We had a quick chat with Ian McCutcheon.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
My friends and I had a garage to hang out in at the bottom of a garden, somewhere to smoke, drink and do teenage things! I borrowed a drum kit from another kid, the others got guitars and amps, we weren't good enough to play cover versions of songs so we just made up our own tunes, we were loud and terrible and hated by the neighbours!
Q2 What inspired your latest single?
General and incessant relationship dysfunction.
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
I generally play around with some guitar chords and then work out a melody that fits, something personal, a phrase or a conversation will trigger a topic, record the idea on my phone, four track or computer and then live with it for a while before playing it to someone.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
I like a band called The Beachwood Sparks, their first album is a classic. Dennis Wilson, Sister Corita, Neil Young, The Tyde.
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Find a beach, take a beer and something to smoke plus a friend to dance with and enjoy
Q6 What are your ambitions for your album, and for the future?
I hope this album finds as many people as possible. And future plans are to write and record the follow up before next summer.
MORE>> www.theloosesalute.com and www.myspace.com/therealloosesalute. Or check out the band performing their new single at ITC on the CMU Tube at www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk.
VIGSY'S CLUB TIP: DJ Mag's Top 100 DJ Awards at Ministry of Sound
DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs Awards Party is at the Ministry next week and it's good for charity too, with RNID set to gain a few bob on the door. It's a hotly contested prize, and with 25 confirmed new entries, some new blood arrives in the chart this year. Featuring a headline set from 2008's No.1 DJ in the world, this is a chance to see the people's choice smashing down a celebratory set on the night of their coronation. Past winners have included Coxie, Sasha, Digweed, Oakie, Paul Van Dyk (twice), Tiesto (thrice), and, last year, Armin Van Buuren... who's it gonna be? The Ministry's great main room will also play host to the gallic house gladiator Laurent Garnier who will be playing a special guest set, as well as Fedde Le Grand and Beardyman. Canadian wonderkid and producer of the year Deadmau5 will be there too, and this electro don will be assisted by last year's highest charting house DJ, David Guetta. Add this to Laidback Luke's high-energy house and a bit of a rock out from Toolroom's main man Mark Knight and you have a recipe for dancefloor damage.
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