#plumhall

Sit back and enjoy finding more about this dynamic duo, Plumhall. They will be playing at the Hebden Folk Roots Festival in May 12th/13th/14th 

What are your musical backgrounds? 

Michelle: When I went to university I was interested in being onstage in some form. I auditioned for the musical production society and got the part of Anita in West Side Story. That gave me the 'bug'! Just after uni I worked in a bar and ended up in a covers band, and through performing with that band I met the great keyboard player and general mover-and-shaker Charlie Daykin. Charlie encouraged me to work on my guitar playing and we toured the UK and Germany as The Accidental Tourists. From there I got the job in Chumbawamba and also played in the first line-up of Waking The Witch. Currently - as well as touring and recording with Plumhall, I'm touring all over the world with The Chris Norman Band. 

Nick: There was always music in the house when I was growing up, from Clannad to rock and roll, via Scott Walker! I got into pop music when I saw Blondie on Top Of The Pops, and did the usual move from Smash Hits to Melody Maker. I loved pop and indie/rock and goth music - everything really. As soon as I started playing live and writing songs properly I started going to folk clubs - and got interested in traditional music and Fairport Convention. I was going to folk clubs when I was seventeen! All the time though I was also into rock and pop, and that dual musical personality has always remained to this day. My first proper band was The Hall Brothers (who celebrated our 25th anniversary last year) and I've always had a solo career running alongside. I also toured all over the world as a member of Magna Carta some years ago.

What inspires your Songwriting  and how do you find it differs to writing for yourselves?  Michelle: It can come from anywhere - a strong feeling about a political situation, a strong feeling about a personal issue, the world around us, something funny, something sad... the oddity of human behaviour! I tend to start with melody and riffs and write lyrics second - but not always!

Nick: I'm the other way round! I tend to start with a lyrical idea and then play around with riffs and chords... sometimes the whole song appears out of nowhere - which is an amazing feeling! I get inspired by anything from an over-heard phrase to things I've seen on my travels. 

What advice would you give young musicians/songwriters starting out in the music/folk scene? Nick: Stay true to yourself, experiment but don't change to follow fashion, never stop, work with people you like, play with people who are better than you - it makes you up your game! What and who has helped you along the way? Michelle: Charlie Daykin has always been there for me with his great advice and generosity of spirit. An ability to take the rough with the smooth has helped me! 

Nick: Legendary promoter John Keenan has been very helpful to both of us, various kindly musicians, promoters, agents, radio presenters, twitter legends (hi Tim Britton and Keith Bache) and festival organisers have helped, inspired and advised us along the way (I can't do names as I'll miss someone out!), our producer David Crickmore has been amazing, Steve Fairholme and I've got to mention my Mum and Dad! Oh, and our lovely followers are incredibly inspiring. I have a certain dogged tenacity which has helped. 

When was the point in your careers that you thought this is it, this is what i want to do? 

Michelle: When I worked with Chumbawamba and I saw how professional touring worked. That's when I realised that it wasn't a hobby. 

Nick: When I saw The Icicle Works and Clannad in the same week as a teenager. That was it! I didn't want to do anything else.

Describe a low and high point in your career? Michelle: High point - performing with Larry Campbell at a Plumhall gig in York. Low point - having to extract myself from a band because of a control freak.

Nick: High point - getting up onstage and jamming with my heroes, like Ian McNabb! Low point was sitting on a long haul flight next to a musical colleague after a row at the airport. Ten hours in silence!!' 

What can we expect at Hebden Folk Roots Festival? What do you like about playing at the festival? 

Nick: We will be showcasing a great deal of material that will be on our next album (which we're very excited about), as well as playing some of the songs that people want from our debut/current album, 'Thundercloud'. Hebden Bridge Folk & Roots Festival is great - lovely atmosphere amongst the audiences and backstage, great organisation and sound. We can't wait! 

Anything to add?

Nick: I've performed music on Coronation Street and acted in Emmerdale recently. I've also just been asked to be a consultant on the music for a film too. Also Michelle has recently been touring all over the world in large arenas as a member of the Chris Norman Band.

Where can we listen, purchase your music? 

Nick: You can hear our album 'Thundercloud' on Spotify, then purchase it (please!!) from iTunes, Proper Music, Amazon and all the usual outlets!