Winston's Zen

LETTING NEW ACTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

Those of you paying attention when listening to Zenlist Vol 5 might have noticed the glistening gem that was Break, the contribution from London newcomers Stagecoach. The five piece indie-popsters recently signed to the achingly cool Alcopop records and featured on the labels innovative compilation-in-a-bottle not so long ago.

With a pretty extensive UK tour set for October, and an EP led by the infectious sing-a-long We Got Tazers set for release in the same month, pretty soon it'll be hard to avoid Stagecoach.

Winston's Zen thought we'd get in there early and ask the lads a few questions;

What’s the least accurate description of your music that you’ve ever seen or heard in the media?
Some reviewer compared us to the Kooks or The Kaiser Chiefs, it made me do a little sick in my mouth. That dude should listen to more music before being let loose with words.

Set the record straight. How should journalists be describing Stagecoach?
Jedi folk metal with a pop tang.

What has being in Stagecoach given you that you wouldn’t otherwise have?
Four friends who get excited about the little things like me.

If Stagecoach had a motto what would it be?
Party till you puke, although that's not really ours to have.

What’s a Stagecoach gig like?
Short skirts, long hair, Freddo's flying everywhere.

Describe the average Stagecoach fan.
About 5.10, fringe, bis tee, Ginger beer in hand, like's hanging round local Library and listening to Gram Parsons on Sundays.

Tell us how you got together with Alcopop!, and what they can offer you that you might not get elsewhere.
I sent them our self pressed 'School Day EP' they liked it but nothing happened. I sent them the next EP a year later and something happened. Happy times ensued, new friends were made.

I sneak a look through your mobile while you nip to the bar. What’s the most famous name I find in the phonebook?
Barry Hayles

When did they last call you and what for?
Last week. He wanted to know which was my favourite goal he scored in the 98/99 Div 2 championship winning season. I plumped for his debut goal against Burnley in the 4-0 demolition at The Cottage.

Put your iPod / MP3 player on random. What are the first five tracks?
Wavves -Surf Goths
Hot Club de Paris -My Little Haunting
Life Without Buildings -Sorrow
Fionn Regan -Hey Rabbit
Thursday -This Song Is Bought To You By A Falling Bomb

Tell us about the greatest album of all time.
Terrible question, no one likes answering this. I'll go for It's A Shame About Ray by The Lemonheads. I doubt anyone would say it's the greatest album of all time but it's certainly special to me. Reminds me of being 11 and raiding my Sisters collection to find out what's cool with the big kids. I've never looked back.

And the best gig you ever saw.
I'm gonna have a few if that's cool? Evan Dando -Bristol Uni, Saves The Day -Reading Festival, Sufjan Stevens -Barbican, Joanna Newsom -Barbican, Brian Wilson -Bristol Coltston Hall

What was the last record that made you stop in your tracks?
Infinity Milk -Danananakroyd. It's just tons of fun and makes me wanna make better songs. It's like a cocktail of twee pop and hardcore that should taste really bad but goes down great.

And the last one that made wish you were deaf?
This Hip-Hop track called 'Birthday Sex' I'm not sure who its by but you have to hear it to believe it, simply awful. A Franz Ferdinand record would, if I gave it a chance

Back soon,
Winston

Stagecoach Links:
MySpace | Last.fm | Pre-order We Got Tazers EP