Leeds Music Scene asks This Et Al some burning - or at least mildly broiling - questions in the wake of some storming dates in the North and in anticipation of the release of the Figure Eight EP...

This Et Al's Wu (Vocals/Guitar), Steve (drums) and Chris (bass) chat about the new material, their live ethic and the general progression of the band, with some slightly less predictable pit-stops along the way

How do you feel your 'sound' has progressed since Baby Machine?
Wu - Well I think it's become a little more 'refined' for want of a better word. I think the newer material, bar a few tracks, contain a lot less ideas. I think Baby Machine could be taken as perhaps a bit too busy in places, very intense and loud; although that's what's great about it, it's also one of its pitfalls. I think we tried to write a bunch of stuff that was trying to be a little less one dimensional perhaps.
Steve - I think we've learnt the art of holding back. We've given the parts higher impact by being more dynamic.

As with your debut, there's been quite a long build up to the release of the Figure Eight EP; is it an attempt to recreate the more 'organic' and slow-burning approach?
Wu - We've actually been at work on this EP and writing for the next album for quite some time, since October / November. Our old bass player left in July last year so we had to rehearse a lot to sort that out. We only tied the knot with On The Bone later in the year so we hadn't had chance to release anything that quickly. It isn't an attempt at that organic approach, more to do with circumstance.
Steve - The whole slow-burning thing wasn't a choice, we actually write and record really quickly given the opportunity, but the opportunity doesn't arrive as often as we'd hope.

Any comments on the choice of James Kenosha to mix again?
Wu - He's an absolute dude and one of our very best friends. Plus he's well sexy... seriously.
Steve - He just keeps getting better and better every time we go over, and it's an ideal environment to be creative and productive in. We always manage to get a lot in done in the short time we have, it must be the sexual tension when James is around, giving us that boost.

And the choice to release the EP on On the Bone [James Brown/Tom Goodhand]?
Wu - Same again. Fit. As. F*ck.
Steve - He just keeps getting better and better every time we go over, and it's an ideal environment to be creative and productive in. We always manage to get a lot in done in the short time we have, it must be the sexual tension when James Brown's sister is around, giving us that boost.

Do you feel there has been any impact on the output/performance with the band lineup changes since the beginning?
Wu - It's probably slowed things down slightly, as we've had to relearn a lot of the old songs several times and prepare for little bits and pieces that needed sorting, but I think we're in a position now where we're the happiest with the line up we've ever been. We're more solid and tight than we've ever been performance wise.
Steve - I second the above completely, it's been a tough slog but we've been fortunate enough to be joined by musicians as talented as we have. Chris has really settled in and we're back up to speed writing material as a unit again.

Do you think it's key to maintain the sense of clear-cut roles in the band - i.e. the instantly recognisable frontman and the other band stock characters?
Steve - I'm the drummer so no.
Wu - Singers have big willies.

This Et Al's Lyrics tend to have a political edge - do you think it's important to have a clear-cut 'point'?
Wu - There are elements of politics, more local politics I'd say, what you experience, rather than trying to make a 'point' or being preachy.
Steve - I think you should generally be able to take something away from the lyrics and it means something to you when you write them, what would be the point otherwise? All the lyrics will have some meaning. I don't generally think music is a good medium for making a political statement, as it's not taken seriously enough.
Chris - I think there's some truth in the political side, but 'politics' is a broad term. I think you have to write about what you know, what you're passionate about.

How about the importance of lyrical content versus musical merit? Would you say you fall more on the 'poet with guitar'-type side of fence or the 'musician standing in front of a mic'?
Wu - Generally, the music comes first then you react to that.
Chris - I think you have to establish a feel and a mood before anything, the more the song progresses the more you have an idea of maybe what the lyrics should be like. You have to let the songs evolve a bit. I think that's the art of good song-writing.

You've commented before on how some of This Et Al's more pop-like sensibilities are transformed into a rawer, more abrasive sound live - again, is this a specific aim or a result of your general live philosophy?
Wu - I think this is a result of how we play, the records are more delicately put together so you can hear the parts and the lyrics, whereas live it's more of a sonic experience. We never intended on just being a noisy band, we essentially wanted to be a post-rock act but with hooks and condensed into a few minutes.

Is it important to craft a live sound different to what's on a record?
Wu - I think it's very important, that's what I like about This Et Al, some of the records can sound a bit tame compared to the live scenario but I think that's great. If you like the songs then when you see them live, it's quite overwhelming.
Steve - I think it has to be different, or there would be no point to performing it live. You want your expectation exceeded when you're seeing it in the flesh. A multi-sensory-experience!

What are your opinions of the apparent divide between the Leeds and Bradford music scenes?
Wu - I think it's good now that there are other places around (Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield) that are making a go of getting decent touring bands to come to them, rather than having to go to Leeds/Manchester/Sheffield to see them.
Chris - But there isn't a divide; you don't have to fly a flag.
Steve - It's not a competition. Two completely different cities that happen to have bands in them! It's good that Bradford is starting to build some sort of identity again, as it hasn't had one for years.

What are the upcoming plans for This Et Al?
Wu - After this tour we'll be right back to writing again, we're hoping to get the second album out by end of 2008, and there'll be something out before then I'm sure. There'll be a video for Figure Eight popping up on your video screens soon enough!

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