Nick replies, “Thank you, Melissa. Well, this end of Taurus does feel more flexible than the other end going into Aries. There’s a lot to learn being born on the 20th of May – maintenance and finishing what’s on one’s plate being two biggies. Still, Jimmy Stewart seemed to manage it, didn’t he? So I tip my 20s trilby hat to him and all 20th of May people and birthday people. Learning is the spice if life! But I would say that, wouldn’t I, being so close to Gemini. The Birthday Book is always a fascinating reference if anybody wishes to dive into the world of traits. But I would say that again, wouldn’t I, being so close to Gemini. Apparently those born on my day love to know how things work and are known to be chatterboxes. I’ve overcome that one on stage, thankfully! Get on with the music, that’s what I say.

Second question is an easy one. Studio. Love it. Creating musical pictures is a thrill beyond words. Once they’re completed and you sit back with a cup of tea surrounded by the beautiful people who so lovingly helped you achieve your masterpiece is wonderful.

Then again, regurgitating creative works live can be sublime. Please excuse the metaphor. Ha! I really don’t see myself as a mother fox or people as fox cubs and my songs as nourishing food. Hold on a minute, I know I’m on holiday and have had a glass of local wine, but actually I do believe my songs are rather nourishing. Darn tasty!

When I listen to The Hunter’s Star by Shearwater, I’m an inspired fox cub. No, no! I’m a starving starling nestling begging for more nourishment.

On the aeroplane here, I listened to The Logical Song by Supertramp. The aeroplane turned into an eagle, soaring above the prairies of North America. This is how inspiring music is to me. And if I can capture even the tiniest essence of this, I can hopefully bring you the same feeling.

Music is the food of love. After my father died in front of me for the first time, he woke up and wrote those words to me as he couldn’t speak because he had emphysema. But that is exactly what he’d just experienced. And that is what we are underneath all the pain of living. We are music and we are the food of love.

Nick replies, “Hi Paul. Looks like you have something in common with him too. Ha! I was nearly called Paul, too. For real!

I didn’t actually do the sleeve design for In The City. I was a junior at the art company who put the sleeves together for Fiction Records. I delivered some In The City artwork to Chris Parry, the Head of Fiction, who thought I’d come in to play him my demo. Something clicked when I told him I was just there to deliver artwork. I thought, I could bring in our band’s demo, couldn’t I?

The reason for all the Paul Weller connections is simply because I am a Jam fan. I’ve met Paul quite a few times now and he’s even lovelier and funnier in person than in print.

I’ve enjoyed all Paul’s different styles throughout his career too. He’s truly a great artist.

Les Nemes and I had the pleasure of playing with Steve White at Nomis Studios for a couple of days sometime in the late 80s. He showed us some of his martial arts moves and we were really impressed. You wouldn’t want to mess with Steve. Just like you wouldn’t want to mess with Graham Jones in Haircut either. These men can take you down with one swift move!

I shared the same publisher as Bruce Foxton, too. We had many a lovely chat and let’s face it, Down In The Tube Station At Midnight is definitely alongside Paul McCartney’s Silly Love Songs as the greatest pop bass line of all time. It’s the first thing I play when I pick up a bass in a music shop.

I haven’t met Rick… yet! But I keep bumping into Mark Brzezicki when he visits his mum. Totally unmistakeable because he drives enormous American classic cars. We’re all connected in some way, really…

All the Pauls, Bruces, Ricks, Marks, etc…
Nick

A: Nick replies, “Last year, I did a surprise appearance in Pasadena. It was a surprise to me as well, I didn’t know I was doing it until I got there!

No plans for doing any US shows at present. What’s on the website is what’s happening. Any plans to tour, will of course, be posted here. I’d really like to get something new out before doing any kind of touring.”

Nick replies, “My flat was in Kensington and cost me less than £50k and is now worth more than £1m. Need I say more? LOL”

When we have more news, it will be posted here. For up-to-the-minute news on the reissue, visit the Haircut 100 site.

-Nick

A: Nick replies: “Always loved photography. I made songs so I could make sleeves so I could take photos and put titles on them. Nearly got my O Level in photography too.

I think it’s the cropping process I most enjoy in photography. I feel that photographs come alive when they have words put on them. So, can’t wait to use my photography for sleeves. All my photos are all album sleeve designs anyway as I see things through the eyes of a commercial artist. Which was my first job after leaving school in 1912. Hahaha!”