If you follow hiapop on Twitter then you'll know about @fruitbatwalton. You may not know that I have mega respect for him or that his daytime name is Mike Lindley. He single-handedly compiled a fine cd of todays best unsigned artists and I recently caught up with him to ask him a few questions.
How’s Ralphs Life?
Ralph’s Life is hectic and frenetic, finding more and more
great unsigned music via Twitter!
Fruitbatwalton –
what’s in a name?
Long story. Going
back to when I wrote a comic Agony Aunt column,
Fruitbat Walton was a very confused 14 year old boy who was in love with
a Canadian Ice Hockey player and seeking advice and solace (an every-day
story).
The cd is a huge
success already. Did you ever feel that
it wouldn’t happen?
With two days to go and over £2,000 to raise on the
Crowdfunder with only the power of Twitter to do it, definitely!
However almost 48 hours of straight Tweeting on my part and
the generosity of the people who follow Ralph on Twitter won the day! We made
the Crowdfunder target with 20 minutes to spare with Mission Impossible music
waiting in the wings.
You have some big
names on the cd like Tom Robinson, Helen McCookerybook. How easy was it to
attract artists to contribute tracks?
Amazingly easy. Both
Tom and Helen were most gracious. That being said the majority of the artists
on the CD’s are unsigned and they were amazing in their support and willingness
to contribute.
And, were there
people who refused?
Only one, who shall remain nameless as there’s no fun in
naming and shaming which I wouldn’t love and it would be criminal – but that
was only due to management and not the band.
What’s Ralph’s favourite?
Ralph is of course completely un-biased. (coughs)
Whispery Club. (coughs)
There’s a real sense
of community with artists on the cd. The
either know someone, or get to know someone.
It’s been great as most already knew each other and if they
didn’t, have since interacted at some point on Twitter, and that helped when it came to putting
together the Camden Launch Party. Also a number of the artists have had some
kind of experience with mental health issues either personally or through
family and friends. It’s been a very - cue overused but apt X Factor type
expression - ‘humbling experience’ putting the CD together.
Will there be a
second cd?
There will indeed. I
had more than enough offers of tracks from the Ralph’s Life Double CD to make
another. This time for the music therapy
charity Nordoff Robbins in Scotland.
I’m coming for tea,
what are you making? What will Ralph be
having?
I’ll make you my famous Almond Raisin Cake with Madeira. Ralph will of course will be having Bonio.
For anyone that was
insane enough not to have already ordered the cd, where can they get it?
They can get it from my Blog ( http://fruitbatwalton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/the-ralphs-life-charity-double-cd-for.html ) however I’m hoping to get it into some Indie Record Shops soon. It’s amazing
value for money, and free delivery if purchased online, at £12 for 40 tracks
which were mastered free of charge by Dave Maughan.
You’re a Scottish
Liverpool supporter living in St Helens.
Dalglish or Keegan?
A Liverpool supporter?
How very dare you! Cowdenbeath
forever! However, King Kenny every time
both as a player and a manager.
As Fruitbatwalton
you’re a well-respected blogger. Does
the future of unsigned bands lie in online blogs?
Given the number of unsigned bands out there; whether good,
bad or indifferent, the online blogs are invaluable when it comes to getting
noticed, even on mine!
We’re in an age where
bands don’t really need record Companies.
Is this a sign of the Industry imploding?
Difficult one, but whilst teenage girls buy the likes of
Justin Beaver, the mainstream record companies will always survive.
Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter, without exception.
It’s a massive method of communication and promotion and where else
could a Jack Russell hold so much sway!
You’ve already held
the cd launch at a live show in Camden featuring many of the artists. Tell me about the day.
First of all I can’t thank the people who came on the day
and gave of their time without thought or charge. There are far too many
highlights to mention, however, Snippet (Johnno Casson) kicked it off in his
inimitable and unforgettable style. Debs
McCoy was sublime followed by a debut performance by producer/DJ Ambrose
Chappel, who we were very proud to be able to have given him his breakthrough
performance, and the established and most excellent Mono Life got people up and
making some moves. Twin Hidden were
eccentric and entertaining whilst Ded Rabbit were both mesmerizing and manic. We had two Scottish Alternative Music Award
winners performing in Plum (Best Electroninc 2013 and first ever female winner)
plus Culann (Best Alt/Rock 2013 for whom this was their first ever performance
outside Scotland) who were both loud and impressive…they’re gonna be huge. Two St Helens bands came down for the event
and both Stillia (who recently signed for a London record company) and Titors
Insignia were immense. Elia and The Low
Tears got everyone moving and Feral Five
closed the show making Ralph’s day by dedicating their cover of the Grace Jones
track Warm Leatherette to him - the highlight of any music bloggers day I would
think. (winks)
Are there plans for
other dates?
Ralph’s just announced an Edinburgh gig in Electric Circus
on April 30th headlined by Steve Heron who’s on the CD accompanied
by King Eider and The Universal Thee. A
Manchester gig will be announced soon too.
How much have you
raised for Rethink to date?
We presented a cheque for £2,500 to Rethink at Camden, with
more to follow as CD sales increase and the other gigs take place.
What do you hope
you’ve achieved?
Well the money is all well and good but for me the main
focus was raising awareness of mental health issues, a cause very close to my
heart through personal experience.
Rethink Mental Illness is a charity that believes a better life is
possible for millions of people affected by mental illness. Forty years ago,
one man bravely spoke about his family’s experiences of mental illness in a
letter to the Times and in the process brought together hundreds to talk about
their experiences of mental illness and support each other. Today Rethink
directly supports almost 60,000 people every year across England to get through
crises, to live independently and to realise they are not alone. The
charity’s website and helplines give information and advice to 500,000
more and changes policy and attitudes for millions. Rethink’s services,
support groups, and members cover every county in England, giving them
local insight and helping to spread innovations nationally. All their
work is governed by people who have lived through mental illness.
The Ralphs Life cd can be ordered here.
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