Morcheeba Have The Antidote

 

Gigwise: New single ‘Wonders Never Cease’ has got quite touching lyrics. What is it about?
Ross: The opening lines ‘how does it feel when you let go of the wheel’ pretty much explain it’s about some form of escape. In my case, it’s the result of trips to the Far East and to South America. Each one of us took a different route, be it travelling or starting up a new musical project. We were totally stressed from years of never-ending touring and pressures of any kind…
Gigwise: So you decided to escape…
Ross: Yeah, but you can also see it as an escape from depression, as well as a real journey.

Gigwise: Is this the reason why you called the new album ‘The Antidote’?
Ross: Precisely. As well as fighting depression, it’s a medicine against everyday’s routine, against conformity and being bombarded by TV adverts and government propaganda of any kind. It’s about not surrendering and freeing you mind.

Gigwise: Listening to it you have the impression it’s a more mature, soulful, uptempo album. Is this the case?
Ross: Yes, considering we had different inputs from the start. We listened to a lot of blues stuff such as The Black Keys and Bonnie Prince Billy. It was the first album we recorded in total freedom without the funding of a record company, and the fact we have a new singer…
Gigwise: Right, tell us about her!
Ross: She’s called Daisy Martey, she was previously singing in the band Noonday Underground.
Gigwise: And she comes from a classical background…
Ross: Yes, and she has a very dynamic, strong voice. We’ve played our first new shows with her – the last of which in Switzerland the other day – and the reception was extremely positive.

Gigwise: How did you find the recording process?
Ross: Well, there was a great atmosphere is the studio. We spent 6 months having fun. People cracking jokes, taking mushrooms and truffles…
Gigwise: Truffles?!
Ross: Ha ha. Yes, They’re tiny, they look like cashew nuts and they’re very good for the creative process.
Gigwise: Hence the ‘imaginary’ trips…
Ross: Spot on

Gigwise: And apparently you have recorded the album with live instrumentation, instead of classic ‘chill-out’ programmed beats…
Ross: And the whole live thing is now reproduced in our gigs, as we’re now touring with a bigger band. Not the 3 of us anymore!
Gigwise: We’ll come and see you. So you’re doing a tour in May...
Ross: Yes, eight dates in May across the UK and some festivals in Europe. We’re going to have a fantastic support band, they’re called ‘Husky Rescue’
Gigwise: We’ll be looking forward to the shows!

And the second after the interview has finished, the journey ends while the routine kicks in. We need an antidote