In this charming episode of "Surprise Cast," we jump into Jason Booth's and John Wellby's artistic journey from the band Last Tourist. They share cool insights into their lives as musicians, their creative processes, and the stories behind their sensational music.
We start with some fun icebreakers. The conversation takes a deeper turn as John shares how his love for music began with a serendipitous raffle win ("ended up buying my first guitar"), uncovering musical roots in his family history. Jason reflects on his school days in Sheffield and his defiance against mainstream trends, drawing parallels to my experiences. ("everyone was into poodle rock...I saw a kid with a James t-shirt on...I've always enjoyed not doing whatever everyone else is doing").
The episode explores the essence ("a slip or a mistake can add to the artwork") of creativity, as inspired by Rick Rubin's book, "The Creative Act." John and Jason discuss how spontaneity and energy ("a blessing and a curse") influence their music, sharing anecdotes of "happy mistakes" that led to the creation of songs like "Black Raven" and "Spiritual Cove." (The essence of the album). They emphasize the importance of balancing structured writing with moments of improvisation, both in the studio and during live performances.
The discussion also touches on the challenges and joys of being part of a band, including the collaborative dynamics with other members and the impact of live audiences on their performances. As they look to the future, John and Jason tease upcoming projects, 1991 Recordings, including a new single, a couple of gigs, and collaborations with notable artists like Maps (James Chapman) and Paul Kehoe (Peter Hook and the Light). Fantastic!
Listeners are invited to engage in a fun guessing album game and rapid-fire questions, revealing Jason and John's playful side. Tune in to discover the creative essence of Last Tourist and the exciting projects they have in store. They keep pushing the boundaries and we're better off with that approach.
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https://lasttouristband.bandcamp.com/
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https://linktr.ee/1991recordings?
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