Heaven or Las Vegas - Vaughan King Interview

Solo Artist Vaughan King releases his debut Album 'The triumphant' this month. The record blends acoustic guitar with a range of instruments including Cello, Harmonica and even a Didgeridoo. With 'The Triumphant' being one of this years best kept secrets as far as albums go, HOLV caught up with Vaughan King to discuss the record and upcoming tour.

HOLV: Firstly, congratulations on a rather impressive debut album. How are things at the moment?

VK: Thanks I'm glad you liked the album. At the moment things are very busy preparing for the album release as well as for the live shows, but to be honest I wouldn't want it any other way.

HOLV: The first thing i noticed on the album was the use of various different instruments throughout the record. How difficult was it during recording to get the timing right and get everybody working together just right?

VK: All the cello parts were recorded live at the same time as my guitar. We were very well rehearsed before heading into the studio and had prepared extensive demos so that was easy.

After that, all the other instruments such as the didgeridoo and the harmonica were then recorded separately. The producer David Lawrie did a fine job with this part of the production.

HOLV: Who influenced the music on the album? It is rather traditional in the way it sounds at times and would be interesting to know what gave you the idea of taking this approach.

VK: The album's influences are varied but come from things i see, hear and experience. I then twist it into a more surreal and fantasy world. David Lawrie got very involved in the project, and as I wanted to experiment with a lot of imagery for this record he decided we should use nothing but real and earthy instrumentation which then gave the album its 'traditional feel'.

HOLV: I see in the inside of the CD on the artwork we see the quote 'Fools are we, who travel to the end of the world.' Where is the quote from, and why did you decide to put it on the artwork?

VK: The quote is taken from a line I sing in the first song on the album entitled "The Forgiven and the Forgotten". It was something I wanted to include in the booklet as the song has a very sentimental value to me. It is the first song written for the album and really sets the tone for the overall sound of "The Triumphant".

HOLV: How difficult has been for you to replicate your sound live?

VK: The live performance is really a different monster. Firstly it is a 7-piece band performing the songs with two guitars, bass, drums, two cellos and a violinist. My producer David Lawrie sometimes helps out with didgeridoo and backing vocals. All in all it is a far bigger sound that lets us really push things musically when we play live..

VK: I see your playing at the The Water Rat Theatre in London. Are there any plans to play elsewhere in the UK, possibly Scotland?

Plans are definitely afoot for far more shows, hopefully in Scotland at King Tut's before the end of the year!

HOLV: Thanks Vaughan, best of luck for the future.

Interviewed by Greg