Please submit any questions for drum talk to drumtalk@shorthouserecords.com

Is there any particular method as to how you arrange the order of the track listing on your albums?

Nik: There's no particular science to putting together a running order. It's a bit like constructing a setlist. You look at the pace and energy of the tracks and try to vary that a bit. Separate tracks with similar keys, guitar solos etc. Alternatively, you can stick them all in a hat and pick your order that way.

 

Since you have been Producer of your own work, is there anyone you like to have run over your latest project/songs so as to gauge their opinion? In other words, do you trust your own judgment totally or is there someone whose opinion you value a lot so that you have an outside opinion that might challenge the way you look at your work?

Nik: I play the songs to friends and as a lot of my friends are in the business, they're usually not shy in expressing an opinion. I take in what they say, carefully process and consider their opinions and then totally ignore them!

Now you basically have full control over your work and releases, are you tempted to compose an album away from a rock/pop based style?

Nik: I've always had total control over the content of my albums but, I must admit, it is a relief not having the pressure of having to come up with a single or something "radio friendly".

 

Would you say that your songs generally turn out right first time or do you find yourself rehashing old, unfinished work to make new songs? Pinching the odd verse here and the odd tune when something comes along later that fits just that little bit better? I ask because that's something I do and wondered if it was normal to plagiarise oneself (that sounds disgusting!).

Nik: I do it all the time. I break up old demos for salvage. A verse here, a chorus there. It's perfectly normal to plagiarise yourself. Just remember to wash your hands afterwards!

 

Out of all the looks (Wouldn't, Works, Frank, etc) you have had over the years, which ones were actually decided by you and not a stylist?

Nik: There was always a stylist around somewhere (record companies insist) but I paid less and less attention to them as time went on.

Are you still putting in a webcam?

Nik: Who said I was putting in a webcam?

Which would you say was your most enjoyable gig performed?

Nik: Most enjoyable gig? They've been a few. Off the top of my head: Dublin Stadium 1984, Greek Theatre LA 1985, some place in Stuttgart 1988 and Shepherds Bush Empire 2001.

If you were keeping up with the forum you'll know that me and Gary W were hunting for a track called "Wouldn't it be good to be a Bluenose" recorded at your studio with Spencer Vignes. I tracked him down;-) and he said we could have a copy but to no avail. Have you got a copy we could listen to? He said his singing wasn't up to yours!

Nik: Spencer was a journalist writing for Match of the Day magazine. He was given the task each month. This particular month his task was to record a football anthem. He decided it would be a good idea to rewrite the lyrics of "wouldn't it be good" for Birmingham City FC. It took twenty minutes to record it from start to finish. Regretfully, I didn't retain a copy.

 

Why did you decide to make/release another album? Was it just something you felt you had to do, was it for the fans or was there another reason?

Nik: I don't remember ever making a decision about this. If it had involved hunting for a new record company and getting back on the old treadmill again, it probably wouldn't have happened. The internet changed all that.

I can't help writing songs and, as long as I'm writing them, I'll be recording them. As long as I'm recording them it seems a little pointless not to let people hear them. It's as simple as that really.

 

Which song that you have written (for yourself or others) has made you the most dosh?

Nik: Wouldn't it be good and the Riddle (They've been a few remixes of the Riddle)

 

Have you ever turned down the chance to work with someone only to later regret it big time when they become a big star?

Nik: My publisher sent me the first single of a new boy band. I though it was absolutely shit and not worth the plastic it was pressed on. I told my publisher not to be stupid and threw it in the bin. There was no way these amateurs were going anywhere. I think their name was Boyzone or something!

 

What is your personal favourite song you have ever written (if you can remember them all)?

Nik: "BIlly" from 15 Minutes is still my best lyric. And I'm still very fond of "Have a Nice Life" from the same album.

 

Did you ever compose any of your songs on the piano?

Nik: I've never composed a song on the piano and am not likely to until I learn to play it. I've programmed computers to play ideas I've had in my head in the first place or just picked up a guitar and had a good strum (perfectly legal in most countries)!

 

At some point on the old site, you mentioned song titles such as "Hunger" and "Abraham's Children". Will we get a chance to hear those at some point?

Nik: "Hunger" was the working title of a song that became "Lost" and is included on the new album. "Abraham's Children" was the germ of an idea for a song that has yet to be completed.

 

Been a fan for over 20yrs now - wow - I feel rather old now! But my question is this - a little techie I know, but what sort of computer system do you use to do all of your recording? I'm a bit of a Mac worshipper myself being a graphic designer and was wondering if you use a computer from the light side of the force, as opposed to the Microsoft way... sorry, I promised myself I would not say that word this year!

Nik: I'm a Mac man myself. They were the first to embrace the music software and I've never been able to come to grips with PC's. The MAC I use is ancient. It's a G3 running OS 8.7 but it all works and I've never had the guts to upgrade... Is anyone still awake out there?

 

Do you have an iPod? If so, do you like them and what type of music do you have playing?

Nik: I haven't got an iPod, but all my record collection is on iTunes. Everything from Bowie to Bartok.

 

What's your favourite song on the new album?

Nik: My favourite track changes every time I listen to it. I'm too close to all the songs to be objective about them. I guess my favourites are based upon how well the recordings turned out rather than how good the song was in the first place. I think "Old House" turned out great, as did "All About You". "You Don't Have To Be The Sun" presses all the right buttons too.

If you could travel back to 1984, what advice would you give the younger Nik?

Nik: Advice to me in 1984? Get a new stylist!

Is it possible that there will be a tour with the release of the new album? And if so would you consider coming to Australia??... We often get overlooked here Down Under. I wasn't even a twinkle in my parent's eye when The Riddle was released but I am an avid fan of yours. I now have two seven year old kids of my own and they love your stuff too. It really is a breath of fresh air to walk past the kids bedrooms and hear them belting out some of your tunes (and singing along word for word mind you) on their stereos instead of rap crap or something... Great work matey. xx

Nik: Thank you, but no plans to tour at the moment.

 

Great to see things move and can't wait to get my greedy hands on your new album! Will you collaborate with other singers/songwriters in the future? I know there's one German singer/songwriter who would very much like to work with you. He's already very famous in Germany but has just started to write songs on his own. Being a fan of you for many many moons already and a fan of him too, I am sure you would make a great team! Any chance of getting you two together?

Nik: I never rule out future collaborations. What is the name of this German singer/songwriter and does he wear leather trousers?

 

Would you say your songwriting skills have improved over time and if so is it something you consciously did or was it a natural progression?

Nik: I wouldn't say my "songwriting skills" have improved over the years, just evolved. In the beginning I had loads of creative energy but no experience and now I've got loads of experience but bugger all creative energy. I've gained technical skills, but lost some of my ability to surprise myself.

 

What do you think of your popularity status now?

Nik: I'm perfectly comfortable!

 

Did you do any videos for the new songs?

Nik: No videos for the new songs I'm afraid. Can't find the battery charger for my camera, but when I do....

I quite prefer the most recent material you've released in comparison to the 80's stuff. But I also think that some of the live versions of your 80's songs deserve to be recorded (ie. Don Quixote, Radio Musicola, among others) - either studio or live versions. Did you ever think in doing such a thing? Do you think that, if you released new versions of your big hits along with new stuff, you would get more exposure? Or at this stage of your career that is not a priority?

Nik: People will always want to hear the old stuff. I accept that. But I would never re-record them unless I genuinely felt I could bring something new to the songs.

Fantastic news on the new music front! I must get "new album vibes" as I seem to get lost in domesticity for months on end, only to log on to nikkershaw.net to find a new recording imminent. I love the track on the new website header - it gave me chills (typical Nik!). As I'm in Melbourne Australia, I'll have to order a copy of "You've Got To Laugh" through the website, but how will I know when it's released? Ultimately I'd love one of the signed ones rumoured on the forums - are you going to send out a release post? Or will I just have to haunt the forums and website?

Nik: If you're on the Wounded Knee mailing list I'm sure you'll be one of the first to find out when "You've Got To Laugh" is released. If not, you can register on this site's chat forum. Failing that, you could wait to discover a copy in your local charity shop.

 

How scary is it putting out an album without a record company behind you or do you revel in the freedom of being able to do what you want, when you want?

Nik: I can think of much scarier things that putting an album out on my own. I feel no pressure at all. I'm not concerned with the charts or world domination. I've made an album and now I'm putting it out there for people to listen to, that's all. It is great to have the freedom to do what I want, although, having no record company to kick me up the arse might explain why it's taken me nearly five years to get the album together.

 

Where in Bristol was Nik born, as I'm a Bristolian... Did he live there long?

Nik: I was 18 months old when I left so I haven't got any strong memories of the town. But my Mum tells me I was born at 14 Highmead Gardens, Withywood (Don't know if they've got round to putting up the blue plaque yet!!)

 

How do you decide when you need a female backing vocalist to finish off a track. Sometimes you don't use one and then other you do. Is this just a case of not sounding right, or how do you decide?

Nik: I don't have a lot of high frequencies in my voice, so I find using female backing vocals useful for adding "sparkle" to my voice. Male vocals are fine for certain things but can sound like a football crowd if you're not careful. One other simple fact is that there are many more good female than male singers around. Strange but true.

Are you flattered, or are you offended at other musicians covering your songs? I play in a band in North Carolina, and have been turning my bandmates onto the "15 Minutes" CD recently. It's a marvelous work from front to back. I would like to cover "Somebody Loves You" in our band. Do you object? By the way, I saw you with Paul Young in Charlotte, N. Carolina in the 80's at Carowinds Paladium. Have been an avid fan since. I am overjoyed to hear about the new record. Cheers Nik.

Nik: I'm always flattered to hear that someone wants to put their time and energy into covering one of my songs. Songs are a bit like children; once they're ready, you let them go.

 

Just wondering how you keep your spirits up really? It's inspiring! Over the last decade or so you've had so much hope given to and taken from you so many times, but still you keep going. And the material just keeps getting better while the promised fame diminishes so I'm assuming bitterness must threaten to sweep in from time to time. While I'm sure it must be great with all us fans and the love of nearest and dearest, I wonder if that has been enough to infuse you or if you have hidden stores of soul-encouragement. Do you perhaps have any words of wisdom for folks going through tough times, maybe through no fault of their own? (You've probably put a lot of these pearls in the new album, but I haven't heard it yet).

Nik: I just try to remember why I got into music in the first place. Yes, I did want the fame and fortune, but I first picked up a guitar because I loved music and the way it made me feel. That's doesn't change, no matter how many times they knock you down.

 

Have you ever thought about re-recording any of the fabbo demos you did before you were famous? I reckon you should, they were class...

Nik: Some of those old songs may have comedy value, but I wouldn't think of re-recording them. As I said in one of the other replies, I quite often break some of the old songs up for salvage.

 

Have you ever listened to any of the hundreds of bootleg mixes and bootleg cover versions there are out there and do you like them?

Nik: I do hear the occasional remix and I do indeed like some of them. But I'm not sure what you mean by the word "bootleg". As with other artists, I'm not too happy about "intellectual property theft". I'm very flattered that people want to use my work but I do have a problem with them making money out of it without the proper licences and permissions. Just call me Frank!