Following on from their much-loved comeback single 'Feel The Love' last year, legendary outfit The Farm are back once again to deliver their rapturous new offering 'Moment In Time'.
Lifted from their long-awaited new album 'Let The Music (Take Control)', which is out on the 20th June via Modern Sky, 'Moment In Time' makes for a dazzling return to form for them. With its broad and emotive textures set to some truly euphoric hooks throughout, they are continuing their comeback with some of their more impactful material to date here.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most recently.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The bass guitar. I played it in the early days when I was at school but when I became a singer, I gave it up to concentrate on lyrics and melody - I still love bass lines and when we play with Peter Hook I just watch in awe. My favourite bass line is ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’ by James Jamerson. He never got a credit on the track so never received royalties and tragically died a pauper. He was a member of the legendary Motown Funk Brothers who recorded most of the Motown but were uncredited at the time.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I liked a pretty eclectic mix of music. The first records I remember hearing were In The Ghetto and Lola but the first record I bought myself was ‘In A Broken Dream’ by Python Lee Jackson with Rod Stewart on vocals. At an early age most of my friends were into Slade but I loved the Alex Harvey Band, Family and Cockney Rebel but when Bowie came along, he changed everything.
The Clash, The Jam and The Specials were important as well, then I started getting into the likes of the Blue Nile and Talk Talk. I loved The The and Aztec Camera as well but when I saw Big Audio Dynamite it was a revelation. I don’t think they really get the credit but they were way ahead mixing drum loops and samples with guitars.
What was the first album you remember owning?
It was ‘Foxtrot’ by Genesis. I was obsessed with Peter Gabriel but after ‘Lamb Lies Down On Broadway’ and his departure, I never listened to Genesis again.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
‘White Man’ in Hammersmith Palais.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I take in all the news and try to write about what’s going on in the world - on the new album for example ‘Breathe’ is about the resistance to the North Dakota Pipeline that happened a few years ago on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I love listening to the group Jungle ever since I saw them in a tiny venue at Liverpool Sound City. During lockdown I got into Cigarettes After Sex who are immense. I’m listening a lot to Tame Impala, Fontaines DC and the Paper Kites.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
The Clash. In 1991 when Joe Strummer was singing with The Pogues he met up with Mick Jones in a New York Hotel. The Farm were on tour with Big Audio Dynamite at the time. In the early hours they invited me up to their room and after a few drinks they decided to reform The Clash and said they wanted The Farm to support them. Sadly, it never happened but it was great to see Joe and Mick were close again.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I’ve always loved playing live and when you see the crowd reaction to All Together Now it’s a wonderful, heartwarming sight. Every festival deserves an ‘All Together Now’ moment!
And what is the most frustrating part?
Being told by the tour manager on the way to a gig ‘because of traffic we’ve got no time to stop at the pub you’ve chosen’ or after the gig ‘we’re leaving the festival in 10 minutes’.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Get a good lawyer and good management.
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The Farm's new single 'Moment In Time' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.