Captain Wilberforce
Q&A 18th April 2020
Captain Wilberforce is the musical brainchild of Leeds based singer songwriter Simon Bristoll.
Taking influence from the last fifty years of pop, Captain Wilberforce has been crafting instantly memorable pop songs for more than ten years. Music has been likened to that of The Beatles, Squeeze and Crowded House.
With an impressive back catalogue of four albums (including 'Black Sky Thinking' which was selected as our #AlbumOfTheYear in 2017) we catch up with Simon ahead of the release of new album 'When The Dust Just Won’t Settle' on 1st May 2020.
How and when did you first get interested in music?
I’ve got a terrible long-term memory: seriously bad. There’s so much I can’t remember about school - people and events that all my friends seem to recall effortlessly. However, I can remember listening to and poring over the Beatles vinyl LPs for hours and working out the chords on a cheap, plastic stringed acoustic, then later, a Kay SG electric, marvelling at the vocal harmonies.
What is the first song you remember hearing?
The nearest thing I can tell you is that the first single I bought was either 'Woman In Love' by Barbra Streisand, or 'Xanadu' by Olivia Newton John. But that was way after I was into listening to songs. The Beatles albums I mentioned were around in the house, and I found a suitcase in the attic, filled with 50’s and 60’s vinyl 7” singles, that included Elvis, Heinz, Frankie Valli, Billy Fury and other chart stuff.
What is the main thing that inspired you to want to become a musician?
Weirdly, I suppose, I never wanted to be a musician - I’m a competent and reasonably inventive guitar player, and I can get by on bass. I started writing songs from the age of about 11, and there was no epiphany or anything, I just enjoyed coming up with tunes. Not lyrics, so much - they’re much more effort. When I was 18 and at Polytechnic, I had started writing much better songs and because I enjoyed my time playing with other musicians I wondered if there was a future being in a band. I still wonder.
What is the first instrument you learned to play?
Well, the first gig I ever played was an assembly in front of a whole (primary?) school. Much to my embarrassment I was on backing vocals and maracas. I was supposed to be lead guitar and backing vocals but I hadn’t had time to learn the guitar part. I was in a “band” with three friends - we were called Stage 4. We must have all been about 10 or 11. We played a couple of covers as far as I can remember, but not sure what. After that I practiced guitar more, and slowly got better.
When did you write your first song and what was it about?
Something I do remember! It was called 'Possibility' and was probably written when I was just 11. A jaunty little number, hugely indebted to early Beatles love songs; apparently I played it to my family who thought it was cute. It was certainly pretty rubbish, but under the circumstances, understandably so.
Who are your favourite bands and musicians? Influences?
I used to say I don’t have favourite bands, only favourite songs, but I’ve realised I was kidding myself.
Radiohead are the contemporary band that I go back to time and again. They’re able to bring a fresh perspective to the jaded genre of rock music and they never want to record the same type of thing twice.
Guided By Voices I love for being individual, pioneering the DIY approach and still nailing the songwriting - 'Gold Star For Robot Boy' for example is pretty much perfection.
And then the Beatles, although honestly, I think they’re so ubiquitous that it feels like a dumb answer. There’s a genius in what they created that is way beyond the sum of its parts; musically, culturally they’re one of the most important events of the 20th century.
There are hundreds of other bands that are my favourite on any particular day. I don’t want to just list them, that would be dull, but I’m happy to chat and name names via our Facebook page.
Favourite single(s) and album(s)?
Today I will say:
Single
'Enchantresse' by Scattered Clouds which is like a Joy Division / Mogwai / Ennio Morricone hybrid.
Album
'Meaningless' by Jon Brion because he knows how to craft those lyrics!
At the outset it seems that Captain Wilberforce was pretty much a solo music project. What's the story behind the project name?
Yes, I can confirm that Captain Wilberforce is a vanity project born of a release of pent up emotion following the demise of Theory Of Everything, my only other serious foray into bands. I’d had enough of being ignored by record labels and going through the grind that was making rehearsing / writing with my friends into a chore or worse.
When I left the band I had a Roland 1680 16 track recorder, a spare room and plenty of time on my hands. I wrote the songs that became the 'Dreams Of Educated Fleas' demo album pretty quickly and recorded them with the help of friends as best as I could. Then having moved to Leeds I began looking for like-minded musicians - I didn’t really think it would be a band project as, honestly, I didn’t really want people sticking their oar into my songwriting.
I needed to improve my singing - I’d never sung main vocals live, so I set about playing open mic nights around Leeds, with my acoustic and a minidisc of some backing tracks (my band-in-a-box). It was fun, but I ended up wanting to play the songs with a real band, and since then I’ve called on loads of amazing musicians from the local area to help me bring the songs to life. Currently that line up is Carl Banks (drums / programming), Rob Simpson (guitars, recording / mixing) and Dave Naylor (bass). However, I have to give huge thanks to Massimiliano Borghesi who played with the band for the last few years and recorded all the amazing bass parts on the new album 'When The Dust Just Won’t Settle'.
How would you describe your music and sound?
It’s a tricky business describing your own sound, as how I hear my songs is not necessarily how anyone else would. We all bring our own listening history to any new music we hear and that gives us a frame of reference. So while I may think a new song has an Elliott Smith feel to it, which brings with it connotations of underdog cool and hipster chic - someone may hear it and say “that’s great, reminds me of James Blunt”. Now this, to them is a huge compliment, and hey, he’s sold a lot of records, so I should be flattered, but…
So in answer to your question: Alternative guitar pop.
First live performance for the band?
It was so memorable, that I can’t remember. Not even the year, but probably 2005 or 2006.
Most memorable band gig?
I really enjoyed playing the Galtres festival in 2013 when we played the main stage in front of a reasonable sized crowd - ok, it wasn’t exactly Glastonbury but it was great to play on a big stage, outside and get paid. I mention that last bit, as I think there’s a common misconception out there that bands do this for the money, or even if they don’t, they get paid for entertaining people for a while. Unfortunately, this only tends to happen when you’re playing a wedding or are in a tribute band. Playing self-penned tunes is unlikely to keep the wolves from your door. Sorry, slightly distracted there.
The other gig which was great was our show at the Brudenell in their bigger room. For anyone who isn’t aware, the Brudenell is one of the great venues in the UK and playing there is a pleasure. We got upgraded to the big room for some reason, and had an amazing night - great audience, we played well, we broke even!
Taking influence from the last fifty years of pop, Captain Wilberforce has been crafting instantly memorable pop songs for more than ten years. Music has been likened to that of The Beatles, Squeeze and Crowded House.
With an impressive back catalogue of four albums (including 'Black Sky Thinking' which was selected as our #AlbumOfTheYear in 2017) we catch up with Simon ahead of the release of new album 'When The Dust Just Won’t Settle' on 1st May 2020.
How and when did you first get interested in music?
I’ve got a terrible long-term memory: seriously bad. There’s so much I can’t remember about school - people and events that all my friends seem to recall effortlessly. However, I can remember listening to and poring over the Beatles vinyl LPs for hours and working out the chords on a cheap, plastic stringed acoustic, then later, a Kay SG electric, marvelling at the vocal harmonies.
What is the first song you remember hearing?
The nearest thing I can tell you is that the first single I bought was either 'Woman In Love' by Barbra Streisand, or 'Xanadu' by Olivia Newton John. But that was way after I was into listening to songs. The Beatles albums I mentioned were around in the house, and I found a suitcase in the attic, filled with 50’s and 60’s vinyl 7” singles, that included Elvis, Heinz, Frankie Valli, Billy Fury and other chart stuff.
What is the main thing that inspired you to want to become a musician?
Weirdly, I suppose, I never wanted to be a musician - I’m a competent and reasonably inventive guitar player, and I can get by on bass. I started writing songs from the age of about 11, and there was no epiphany or anything, I just enjoyed coming up with tunes. Not lyrics, so much - they’re much more effort. When I was 18 and at Polytechnic, I had started writing much better songs and because I enjoyed my time playing with other musicians I wondered if there was a future being in a band. I still wonder.
What is the first instrument you learned to play?
Well, the first gig I ever played was an assembly in front of a whole (primary?) school. Much to my embarrassment I was on backing vocals and maracas. I was supposed to be lead guitar and backing vocals but I hadn’t had time to learn the guitar part. I was in a “band” with three friends - we were called Stage 4. We must have all been about 10 or 11. We played a couple of covers as far as I can remember, but not sure what. After that I practiced guitar more, and slowly got better.
When did you write your first song and what was it about?
Something I do remember! It was called 'Possibility' and was probably written when I was just 11. A jaunty little number, hugely indebted to early Beatles love songs; apparently I played it to my family who thought it was cute. It was certainly pretty rubbish, but under the circumstances, understandably so.
Who are your favourite bands and musicians? Influences?
I used to say I don’t have favourite bands, only favourite songs, but I’ve realised I was kidding myself.
Radiohead are the contemporary band that I go back to time and again. They’re able to bring a fresh perspective to the jaded genre of rock music and they never want to record the same type of thing twice.
Guided By Voices I love for being individual, pioneering the DIY approach and still nailing the songwriting - 'Gold Star For Robot Boy' for example is pretty much perfection.
And then the Beatles, although honestly, I think they’re so ubiquitous that it feels like a dumb answer. There’s a genius in what they created that is way beyond the sum of its parts; musically, culturally they’re one of the most important events of the 20th century.
There are hundreds of other bands that are my favourite on any particular day. I don’t want to just list them, that would be dull, but I’m happy to chat and name names via our Facebook page.
Favourite single(s) and album(s)?
Today I will say:
Single
'Enchantresse' by Scattered Clouds which is like a Joy Division / Mogwai / Ennio Morricone hybrid.
Album
'Meaningless' by Jon Brion because he knows how to craft those lyrics!
At the outset it seems that Captain Wilberforce was pretty much a solo music project. What's the story behind the project name?
Yes, I can confirm that Captain Wilberforce is a vanity project born of a release of pent up emotion following the demise of Theory Of Everything, my only other serious foray into bands. I’d had enough of being ignored by record labels and going through the grind that was making rehearsing / writing with my friends into a chore or worse.
When I left the band I had a Roland 1680 16 track recorder, a spare room and plenty of time on my hands. I wrote the songs that became the 'Dreams Of Educated Fleas' demo album pretty quickly and recorded them with the help of friends as best as I could. Then having moved to Leeds I began looking for like-minded musicians - I didn’t really think it would be a band project as, honestly, I didn’t really want people sticking their oar into my songwriting.
I needed to improve my singing - I’d never sung main vocals live, so I set about playing open mic nights around Leeds, with my acoustic and a minidisc of some backing tracks (my band-in-a-box). It was fun, but I ended up wanting to play the songs with a real band, and since then I’ve called on loads of amazing musicians from the local area to help me bring the songs to life. Currently that line up is Carl Banks (drums / programming), Rob Simpson (guitars, recording / mixing) and Dave Naylor (bass). However, I have to give huge thanks to Massimiliano Borghesi who played with the band for the last few years and recorded all the amazing bass parts on the new album 'When The Dust Just Won’t Settle'.
How would you describe your music and sound?
It’s a tricky business describing your own sound, as how I hear my songs is not necessarily how anyone else would. We all bring our own listening history to any new music we hear and that gives us a frame of reference. So while I may think a new song has an Elliott Smith feel to it, which brings with it connotations of underdog cool and hipster chic - someone may hear it and say “that’s great, reminds me of James Blunt”. Now this, to them is a huge compliment, and hey, he’s sold a lot of records, so I should be flattered, but…
So in answer to your question: Alternative guitar pop.
First live performance for the band?
It was so memorable, that I can’t remember. Not even the year, but probably 2005 or 2006.
Most memorable band gig?
I really enjoyed playing the Galtres festival in 2013 when we played the main stage in front of a reasonable sized crowd - ok, it wasn’t exactly Glastonbury but it was great to play on a big stage, outside and get paid. I mention that last bit, as I think there’s a common misconception out there that bands do this for the money, or even if they don’t, they get paid for entertaining people for a while. Unfortunately, this only tends to happen when you’re playing a wedding or are in a tribute band. Playing self-penned tunes is unlikely to keep the wolves from your door. Sorry, slightly distracted there.
The other gig which was great was our show at the Brudenell in their bigger room. For anyone who isn’t aware, the Brudenell is one of the great venues in the UK and playing there is a pleasure. We got upgraded to the big room for some reason, and had an amazing night - great audience, we played well, we broke even!
Your fifth studio album 'When The Dust Just Won't Settle' is scheduled for release on 1st May 2020. How has the writing and recording process changed since starting out?
Well in terms of recording, now I can leave most of the heavy lifting and drum EQ-ing to Rob. The recording process is a breeze compared to 'Mindfilming', for example, where I did all the recording and most of the mixing myself, as well as playing near enough everything on the album. It was really time intensive before, and as I’d never had any training in recording so I learned as I went along, and to be honest you can tell.
I worked with great producers on 'Everyone Loves A Villain' and 'Ghost Written Confessions' (Carl Rosamond and David Lawrie respectively) and then have co-produced the last two albums with the equally fabulous Mike Browne and Rob. I’m pretty fixed in my ideas of how I want things to sound, so half of their battle is convincing me that some new effect or sound was my idea, so I won’t reject it out of hand.
As for writing, I’ve almost always come up with an idea at home, demoed it a bit (now on Presonos Studio One, rather than the Roland 1680), then brought it to rehearsal to consolidate parts / choose drum patterns etc.. Occasionally an idea has appeared half formed in a rehearsal and we’ve recorded it, to be worked on later.
I have the super fun task of lyric writing, and while some people may enjoy the process, to me it’s like homework. I suppose I sometimes hit a vein of form where I really like what I’ve written, and the other words come quickly, but often it’s like I’m climbing a mountain. You spend ages at the bottom looking up, thinking how difficult it’s going to be, head off along one route that proves to be a dead end, having to go back and start over. You want to give up at numerous intervals, but eventually, when you get to the top, you feel great for a while. Until you realise there are 11 more mountains to climb before the album can be finished.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m generally really happy with the finished lyrics – on the new album 'I’m The Fool' was a mountain I climbed too many times over 2 years, but the view from the top was great.
What's the story, background and inspiration for the new collection of songs on 'When The Dust Just Won't Settle'?
I can only say that overall, the theme is that not everything gets resolved, happily ever after or otherwise. I didn’t write all the songs to that brief, I just noticed that seemed to link the majority of the lyrics. I’m not someone who necessarily enjoys writing from the heart (which, to some, accounts for my lack of number one hits), rather I prefer to write as an observer of situations.
What did you think about the state of the music industry before the pandemic? How do you foresee the music industry recovering?
Compared to bands who are making a living from music, I have very little interaction with the music industry. I want my songs to be as widely heard as possible and release them in the only way that’s available to me - i.e. on Bandcamp and distributed via CDBaby to iTunes, Spotify etc.. The only reason for them to be on those sites is promotion: maybe getting on a playlist and hitting a few thousand new listeners if you’re lucky, of whom some may follow up by checking out your back catalogue. There’s not much money in digital distribution for unknown artists; at about 0.003p per stream, and 1000 plays of your song - that’ll be 3p sir.
We don’t gig too much as it’s expensive and to do it properly takes more time than we’re currently willing or able to give it. We love playing, but you can only play your home town so often before friends / fans have other things they’d rather be doing, and out of town shows are easier if you’ve got good publicity or regular national airplay.
The pandemic is catastrophic for venues, musicians and crew alike. How we’ve been affected is insignificant in the scheme of things – our IPO festival gig was cancelled and other potential dates just didn’t get a chance to be booked. Friends who are pro musicians are struggling to see where money will be coming from - festivals are a vital time for bands, not only to build fan bases and sell downloads / get streams, but to sell physical merch which is much easier to make a profit on.
Added to this, many venues / clubs and pubs are likely to close over the next year as people may be reluctant to leave social distancing behind even after the worst of the pandemic seems to have burnt out. It’s a grim time and I haven’t covered a fraction of the knock on effects to rehearsal rooms, music shops etc..
I don’t know how any industry will easily recover from this - they will have to change, no doubt. Music is part of the fabric of society, and in lockdown we’ve seen how important it is in keeping spirits up or giving us ample opportunity to wallow in listless ennui. Maybe more online gigs and events will become the norm? That’s my only (predictable) prediction.
Music format of choice - CD, digital or vinyl?
Digital
I listen mostly on my phone either walking round or in my car, or via Sonos at home. Streaming is amazing for the public - any album delivered to you instantly. Cheers. But I prefer nailing my colours to the mast and supporting bands I like by buying their music on Bandcamp or other sites where the majority of the money actually goes to the band.
CD and Vinyl
Both are great, but who needs more plastic in the world. Apparently Captain Wilberforce fans it seems, who, when polled, wanted CDs. So we’ve done a very limited edition in eco-packaging. We’re also getting a USA release on KoolKat records which again is limited edition and will save on transportation costs for US fans.
What was the last gig you went to as a music fan?
I think it was Lemon Twigs at Leeds Uni. They are ridiculously talented. Go see them.
Highlight(s) in music so far?
Writing songs that I think are great, and having some other people agree.
Plans and ambitions for the future?
There’s our album launch listening party on April 26th via Facebook and Twitter. You’ll be able to hear the album track by track, ask questions, tell us what you think and even win some prizes:
https://www.facebook.com/events/229583394777028/
We’ve got access to a fully functioning studio, so when the lockdown ends, we’ll be getting new songs recorded. We’ll get gigs in the diary and play songs from the most recent album live for the first time.
Maybe it’s not the best time to be thinking too much further ahead?
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