You cite Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley as influences on the website. Is there anything particular you take from these artists? Any songs or albums that really grabbed or inspired you?
I taught myself to play the guitar by learning songs that I loved, and that’s definitley influenced my playing style. I really love Leonard’s Cohen’s lyrics, the way he tells a story. " One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong" is one of my favourites, as is "Girl From the North Country" by Bob Dylan. They’re quite simple songs, but the finger picking and lyrics are really effective, and that’s something I aim for when I write.

Following on from that, the above artists all pretty much started in the 60s, with the obvious exception of Jeff Buckley. Do you identify with that era in particular, and if so why?
Not intentionally, I think it’s more a case of them being the best at what they do. There’ll never be another Bob Dylan, no matter how hard people try to find one. And I was brought up listening to them, which gives them a headstart over more recent artists!

So, are there any more contemporary artists you take influence from? Who would you consider to be your contemporaries? There seems to be quite a surge in popularity in folky music in the UK at the moment, with both commercial successes like Seth Lakeman and more underground stuff like the Wildcat Collective. Do you consider yourself part of, or are you influenced by any "movement", or are you simply doing your own thing?
To be honest I don’t see myself as part of anything, I’m just doing what I love doing! I’m a huge Nick Cave fan; "No More Shall We Part" and "The Boatman’s Call" have influenced me a lot, although I’m not sure that it shows in my music. I listen to a lot of Radiohead – they lost me a bit after OK Computer but the new songs are incredible. And Sigur Ros are amazing, one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to was them at Sheffield Leadmill a few years ago.

Do you think that being based in Leeds has helped you get some (much deserved I hasten to add) recognition? From experience, Leeds is a vibrant kinda place, with all sorts going on musically.
I don’t know what it’s like anywhere else but Leeds certainly has a lot going on. It’s nice to be asked to play at gigs that aren’t just acoustic, I think that’s a great way to get heard and I really enjoy more eclectic line ups. There does seem to be a lot of attention on Leeds at the moment but I don’t know how much that filters through to the "local" gigs.

Have you played any larger gigs yet, or has it mostly been low key stuff? What’s been your biggest show thus far, and what has been your best? Can you see yourself playing to big halls, or would you prefer to keep it more personal and intimate?
I played with Duke Special at the Irish Centre earlier this year, which was probably the biggest one I’ve done. It was nice to play to a bigger crowd on a stage that size, and the sound was amazing, really professional. I’d love to play theatres; they’re still small enough to be intimate and have a great atmosphere, which is so important.

How did you come to be involved with On The Bone records?
I’ve known James for a while and started doing the artwork and the website for the label, just to help out really. I decided I wanted to release a single and it just made sense to do it through the Bone; we have the same ideas and aims and love for music.

And finally, a hypothetical one. If a major label came knocking on your door and offered you a big pile of money to sign to them, but stipulated that they had to have complete control over your output (eg. choosing songs / producers / band members / artwork etc) what would you do?
I’m far too much of a control freak to be able to deal with that! Part of the fun of doing the single was choosing the songs, doing the artwork, recording with someone I know and respect as a producer. It’s not just about writing songs, it’s the whole package, and I’d definitely want to have some input.

Will Slater.

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