MEMBERS AND THEIR PARTS TO PLAY: The Machine Stops is a solo project,
the only member (at least for the present) is myself, Graham Wright.
I suppose that I'm primarily a guitarist, although the music is
certainly not guitar oriented. I have a number of keyboards, which
I use to make most of the other sounds in the music. I play a chinese
stringed instrument called a Yang Chin, which appears in many of
the pieces that I write. Percussion is programmed into a drum machine,
with some acoustic sounds added in 'real time'.
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY: I have been writing and recording as The
Machine Stops for some time now. I put together a privately produced
CD/cassette album called 'A Dream in the Wasteland' at the end of
1995. Since then I have had a track included on the 25 records compilation
'Ouch!', and I am currently putting the finishing touches to a new
collection of songs and instrumentals.
1. HOW DID YOU ALL MEET? N/A
2. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TOGETHER? N/A
3. HAS IT BEEN A LONG, HARD ROAD TO FAME? "...with
many a winding turn". Yes, it has: with some way to go yet.
4. WHO IS THE MAIN SONGWRITER? I'm the one and only!
5. ARE THERE AND BAND SQUABBLES? No!
6. WHAT IS THE SCENE LIKE IN YOUR AREA? Well, the two most
prominent bands in the area currently are Oasis and The Verve, and
these tend to set the tone for most of the bands in the area (of
which there are many).
7. WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A MUSICIAN? Looking
back, I think it was the band Joy Division: hearing their music
made me realise that there was only one thing that I really wanted
to do with my life.
8. WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE BANDS OF THE MOMENT? Probably:
Cranes and Dead Can Dance.
9. WHAT ARE THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF BEING IN A BAND? For me,
the best feeling comes when I sit back and listen to a new piece
that I have just finished: the sense of pride and achievement is
very fulfilling. The worst things are; not having sufficient time
to work on my ideas (I've got a full-time job!) and the business
side of things: I'm not too good at selling myself and my music.
10. DO YOU PREFER RECORDING IN THE STUDIO OR PLAYING LIVE SHOWS?
Playing live is a great experience, but for the most part I prefer
the creativity of writing and recording.
11. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR BANDS JUST STARTING OUT?
Yes: don't run with scissors.
12. SUM UP YOUR MUSIC IN JUST THREE WORDS: The Machine Stops...
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Meanwhile you can hear a track by The Machine Stops on the
compilation CD, 'Ouch' called 'inviolate in dreams' avaiable
from 25 Records, priced at only £5 including post.
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