The other day when perusing the website of The Hold Steady I came across a link to an archive containing MP3s of gigs and radio appearances. One of the gems I found there was an interview with The Hold Steady and former member of Arab Strap, Malcolm Middleton, on Colin Murray show on BBC Radio1. Although the combination of the Brooklyn rockers and the Scottish singer-songwriter seems an unusual one at first, the interview reveals more similarities than differences between the two.
They initially met through the Full Time Hobby record label who put out their records in the UK. During the interview, Craig from the Hold Steady recalls returning to Brooklyn after meeting Malcolm to discover that the bar tender at his local was a massive fan of the Scottish singer.
Craig attributes his fondness of Malcolm to his lyrics while the Scot said he enjoys the energy and ‘youthfulness’ of the Hold Steady. Interviewer Colin Murray identifies a combination of dark lyrics and ‘breezy’ music as a common thread between the two while Tad from The Hold Steady mentions that although both Craig and Malcolm have limited vocal range, their voices make their sound unique and identifiable.
They teamed up to record versions of a couple of Malcolm’s songs including ‘Red Travellin’ Socks’ and ‘Kiss At The Station’ as well as a cover of Zeppelin’s ‘Your Time is Gonna Come’ and The Hold Steady’s ‘Lord, I’m Discouraged’ but my personal favourite would have to be their cover of the Bryan Adams hit ‘Run To You’.
The interview and tracks are available to download here.
On a separate note, I have to say that Malcolm is possibly THE most Scottish looking person I have ever laid eyes. This has more than a little to do with the pasty complexion and orange hair. I can only wonder what his teeth are like…
His fifth album entitled ‘Waxing Gibbous’ was released on the 1st of June on Full Time Hobby. It is available on CD, MP3 and LP here.
I’ll leave you with what may well be one of the cheesiest lines in popular music courtesy of the ‘Groover from Vancouver’- “It’s so damn easy makin’ love to you”.
Tags: arab strap, bbc radio 1, Brooklyn, bryan adams, colin murray, collaboration, covers, full time hobby, hold steady, led zeppelin, malcolm middleton, Music, the hold steady
