The Zephyrs is an Edinburgh, Scotland-based indie band composed of Stuart Nicol (Guitars, Vocals), David Nicol (Bass, Harmonium), Robert Dillam (Drums, Guitars), Emily Hall (Guitars, Backing Vocals) and Will Bates (Piano, Keyboards). They have released four albums "It's OK Not to Say Anything" (1999, Evol), "When the Sky Comes Down It Comes Down on Your Head" (2001, SouthPaw), "A Year to the Day" (2004, Setanta), "Bright Yellow Flowers on a Dark Double Bed" (2005, Acuarela) and two EPs "Stargazer EP" (2001, Rock Action), "The Love That Will Guide You Back Home" (2002, Acuarela).
Their new album, "Fool of Regrets", is released on September 6th on Club AC30 records. Guest musicians include Barry Burns, Lisa Jen Brown, Gruff Rhys, Mary MacMaster and Fife R&B band Baby Isaac. A single single taken from the album, "Creative Faith", is released on August 2nd 2010.

Interview with Stuart Nicol singer and guitarist of the band:


S: When and how was The Zephyrs born?

St: I’ve always played in bands with my brother, David (bass player in The Zephyrs) since we were young. I suppose the Zephyrs really started in earnest though in 1999 when we recorded our first album - It’s okay Not To Say Anything - which came out in 2000).

S: Where is the name of the band coming from?

St: My dad was in a rock and roll band in the late 50s called The Zephyrs and we’re named after them. They were named after the Ford Zephyr car so indirectly we’re also named after the car.

S: How and when did all begin with music? 

St: Again with my dad. He played guitar at home and at parties when we were young and there was always a spare guitar kicking about the house so we just picked up how to play from an early age. I also got into music through my two brothers who were both into buying records and going to gigs … mainly Stiff Little Fingers, Big Country, The Icicle Works and early U2.
 
S: What are the positive and negative sides of being a musician in Scotland?

St: On a positive note Scotland is a very creative and accepting country for left-field music. There’s a vibrant scene and people are supportive of new bands. On the downside it can be quite a competitive, and even slightly bitchy, environment. There’s a definite attitude of cool.

S: Do you feel anxious before a show?

St: It depends on the gig, but yes I usually feel pretty anxious. I need to get into the zone and if that doesn’t happen then I usually spend most of the gig feeling pretty anxious too.

S: What musicians or artists had an influence in your life and in your work?

St: New Order, Felt, The Byrds, John Cale, The Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, Bread, Paul McCartney and John Denver.

 
S: Do you remember what was the first CD you bought?

St: I was fairly late to CDs – well I resisted until about 1994. I think my first CD would have been the “Cut Your Hair” single by Pavement, or maybe the Sub pop compilation “Afternoon Delight”. My very first vinyl was a Smurfs single when I was very little … and my first proper vinyl record was probably something by either The Weather Profits or New Order.


S: Do you think the emotion is different between a song in English and in another language?

St: For me, on a subjective level, there is a difference because unfortunately I can only speak English, so I can only understand English lyrics - and I guess you need to hear the lyrics to get the full emotion of a song with vocals. However I do listen to music sung in other languages and hope that I pick up most of the intended emotion.

S: How could you define the music of The Zephyrs?

St: A lot of it is quite personal. It also sits somewhere between singer/songwriter type music and a more expansive, soundtrack-type sound.

S: Do you agree with Victor Hugo who said :"Melancholy is the pleasure of being sad"?

St: There is certainly a self-indulgent pleasure to sad moments and rainy days. I think crying can make you feel oddly euphoric afterwards. A bit like the light, purged, airy relief of a massive bowel movement after a couple of days of constipation.

S: When you write a song do you follow your heart, your brain or your hand ?

St: A bit of all of the above. It really depends on the song – some appear from nowhere (the heart?) and some have to be crafted (the brain?).

S: What is your favourite song of The Zephyrs and why?

St: I think it’s probably "Dancing Shoes". It’s just a fairly simple song but the lyrics are oddly dark.

 
S: As musician, what is your feeling about Internet?

St: I like it – it gives access to music you might not have heard before. I’m still uncomfortable about the idea of only owning a song as an MP3 (whether bought or ripped from someone else’s computer) so if I like something I’ll always buy the hard copy. I just assume other people who are into music will do the same & those who download stuff illegally probably wouldn’t have bought the record anyway … so if someone’s listening to a song that might not have heard it before that can only be a good thing.

S: What have you done during these 5 years and the release of "Bright Yellow Flowers on a Dark Double Bed"?

St: Living a normal life. I got married, had 2 children, got made redundant, found a new job, moved house and learned how to drive.

S: Where would you like to play in the future, is there a place in the world you would love to visit?

St: Probably the USA. I’m loathed to say that because I find that country so intensely irritating in many ways, but it has such a large cultural impact on almost everything that I’m kind of drawn to go there. I’ve never been there before, which I’m ironically proud of as well.

S: What is the best moment and best place to listen to your music?

St: Sitting in the kitchen eating cheese on toast with a light dusting of salt and chili powder. Or on the sofa with a bottle of Champion Ale.

S: I know it’s a difficult question, but if you would have to keep just one album from your CD collection what album would it be?

St: Woodstock.

S: What was the last song you listened to before the interview? And, if you know, which one will be the next?

St: The last song was “Heathan Child” by Grinderman. Who knows what’s next!?


S: Can you tell us the name of one French song, or singer, or band?

St: Francoise Hardy
S: And say something in French?

St: Bout de Lune

S: What are your plans for the nearest future?

St: We’re playing at Colchester Arts Centre on 25th September and then recording a new single the week after that. We’re also doing a session for Marc Riley on BBC 6Music on 20th October.

S: And finally, what’s the most important thing in life for you?

St: Life is such a convoluted web of ‘things’ that it’s impossible to pull out a single ‘thing’ that’s most important – but if people, especially my family and friends, can be a ‘thing’ then I’d say that’s it.


MANY thanks to Stuart and The Zephyrs for the interview!

More informations about The Zephyrs:

- on their site:
http://www.thezephyrs.com

- on their Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/lagres