Interview - Sam McCarthy - Southsea Fest

Can't say this was the chattiest interview I've ever done, and it didn't help that most of my questions were tailored towards bands so I had to discard half of them. I gave all my interviewees a pack of Smarties to liven their day up - Sam was the only person to leave his behind.

Previously published on mINtSOUTH.com in September 2009
Words - Suzy Sims
Editor - Rob Ball
(c) mINtSOUTH.com

INTERVIEW - SAM MCCARTHY @ SOUTHSEA FEST 2009

mINtSOUTH: Tell me a bit about yourself.
Sam: “I used to be in a band – Gilkicker - for a few years, started off in Portsmouth then moved to London, then it sort of split up so I’ve been on my own for nearly a year. Released my first single 'Cherrytree' a few months back and it did really well, and I’m doing my album.”

mINtSOUTH: Southsea Fest – discuss.
Sam: “I think it’s great. It’s like Camden Crawl, but I’m glad that it’s down here. Last year I played. I got added late to the bill this time - I didn’t think I was going to be playing live anywhere, but then I asked Ally Wolf at the Fat Fox if I could play, so now I’m here. I think Southsea Fest is amazing.”

mINtSOUTH: Any exciting onstage antics planned?
Sam: “No not really, just playing acoustic on my own. Got some new songs, see how they go. Fingers crossed they go well.”

mINtSOUTH: Gorilla versus bear – who would win in a fight?
Sam: (decisively) “Gorilla. Another question?"

mINtSOUTH: Do you support any charities?
Sam: “I do like to support Teenage Cancer Trust. I’ve done a few gigs for them in London, and things that are associated with it. I’ve actually had a member of my family had cancer when they were a teenager and they were told they wouldn’t ever have kids or anything like that – I think she’s got about four now. So yeah, it can be done.”

mINtSOUTH: Which band member would you eat first on a desert island
Sam: “I’ve got a new violin player called Helen Green, she looks the tastiest. I’d rather eat her than any of the boys.”

Shoutbox –
Sam: “I’ve just spent all summer recording my album so that’s nearly done. We’ll be launching it around Christmas or early next year. So watch out 2010, yeah? Gonna get the album finished, then get a live band ready - and then come back with a bang.”

http://www.myspace.com/sammccarthy