I also note that your songs include genuine experiences and feelings. What’s your song writing process? For example, does it start with feelings and/or observations…

A song will bubble inside my body for a few hours and I can feel it come to a point where I have to drop everything and go to it. The actual process in just a feeling; of what I want to sing about, what tone of mood, what I want to say and I will fleash it out on an instrument until it begins to take form. It’s funny because on the whole, a song will just manifest itself from me and I might not even understand its meaning until quite some time later. I fall into a hypnotic state and just play and play until it feels finished.

One of my favourite songs on the album (amongst many) is ‘Meal Of Convenience’, can you tell me about this song…

Yep. I brought the violin home to my parents house where they have a large loft that’s filled with instruments and my Father’s vinyls, and played it like a guitar. The room is a wood and stone farmhouse and was renovated and largely built completely by my family, so it has wonderful charm and sounds very special. You can hear that we miked the room up and just let rip. My Brother Stephen and Sister Tamara sing on this song and I got my family to clap on it. They had never experienced a recording environment so it was lovely to involve them. They
make the song.

I know this is an unfair question, but what are your two favourite tracks on the album and reasons…

‘Made Of Sugar’ because I had a very very specific sound I was searching for, and it actually happened (which is rare sometimes!) and because it was the first thing I recorded on New Boots. I set up all my instruments around me, sat in the middle and just went from piece to piece and it came together within a couple of hours. That was very satisfying.

‘Berlin’ was also a huge amount of fun to record. I had tried to play it on numerous different instruments but nothing seemed to be working, so Myself, Marcus and Aidan went into the orchestra room in the studio in Germany where we opened up the Steinway grand piano, Harmonium and Harpsichord, played on bottles or anything that would make noise and stamped our feet around a microphone and generally must have looked incredibly silly while doing so. It’s completely hectic, and was really a case of the sillier I made everyone play and act, the better it sounded!

You’re obviously very close to your band members. Tell me how you got together…

Fate! I met Aoife and Aidan while studying in Dublin, we forged a musical trio straight away, where we mostly played at 4 in the morning on the street, when we were hammered! Then myself and Aoife went to Germany for college to take part in a workshop where we met Christian the drummer and I fell in love and had to have him play with me! He later introduced me to his brother Michael, who just so happened to be one of the best bass players I’ve ever witnessed. I was so blown away by everyone - how they play and who they are - and have never looked back since. They are also my best friends, I’m very lucky!

I’ve seen live performance images of you (and can’t wait to witness you in Manchester) and you appear to be having a great time. Tell me about your feelings for doing it live…

I walk on stage and bring my whole life with me, the good, the bad, the ugly and let it all explode through my guitar and voice. My band and I come from the very same school of thought. Simple as that!

Where to from here Wallis? New album? USA?

I’m constantly working on new songs, and am currently working on a new poetry project. I’m busy enough with Europe so USA is probably not going to happen this year. In the meantime, I’m working my arse off, writing my arse off and seeing what happens and having a whole load of fun in the meantime!

Finally, what great music am I missing out on right now (that you love)?

Ben Kritikos - Politic, satiric, optimist and wonderful melodist.
Need New Body - Mental, Brilliant!
Villagers - Heart wrenchingly intelligent and modest gifts to music!

Thanks Wallis, I wish you and the band well and good luck. Thank you very much, take care!

www.myspace.com/wallisbird

www.wallisbird.com

www.rubyworks.com