Stephen Jones: Not sure if I have. To be honest I’m not sure exactly where it is. But I live in a village few have heard of and that’s the way I like it.So needless-to-say, I love a new place, and Bedford is the next new place I’m going to.
Bedford Clanger: How do you pick a set with so much back catalogue?
Stephen Jones: The songs in the set are very much the work of the band, who are mostly original members, and not my bandcamp output. A lot of the set started as four track demos on the five lo-fi albums of 1994/5/6 the cds and vinyl that caught people’s attention, but are too fragile and idiosyncratic to be played live so they became property of the band and as we tour very rarely so it’s like revisiting them. For us – this time – its as close to a perfect set as we have ever got to. I hope.
Bedford Clanger: Any Christmas songs in the set?
Stephen Jones: I’m afraid not. Oddly I’ve written a fair few Xmas songs, anti-Jesus type ditties, but they are all on my bandcamp site (thestephenjones.bandcamp.com). Songs such as ‘f*ck you Father Christmas’. Really captures the spirit.
Bedford Clanger: How do Babybird spend Christmas?
Stephen Jones: Apart. With family. Butchering birds. Our drummer lives in Rhodes so probably greek pagan for him. Not sure for the others.
Bedford Clanger: What are you listening to at the moment?
Stephen Jones: Eminen’s new album is great. Vaughn Williams’s Lark Ascending. Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett’s new album. Wstrn mixtape is great too
Bedford Clanger: You also write novels, can you tell us a bit about that?
Stephen Jones: It started with a coffee table art book – a short story illustrated by designers DED. Who are Nik and Jon who were incidentally recently on Grand Designs. Then I was asked to write a novel and two followed. I have a third scribbled out, but it’s such a hard lonely discipline compared to writing songs and playing.
Bedford Clanger: Any plans for 2019?
Stephen Jones: I had a heart attack recently so i’m not thinking that far. Getting through the gigs without dropping dead might a good added reason for people to buy a ticket. Adds to the tension and joy.
Bedford Clanger: What’s on your rider?
Stephen Jones: Wine, beer, cider, crisps, sandwiches, lemon, honey, and sage for the throat and a small envelope of horse tranquilizer in case I collapse.
Hope that’s ok señor!
