1. PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your new project is – and tell us about how it come into the world.  What has the initial feedback on it been like?

Matt: “We have an EP available at the moment called ‘Obsessed America’.  It has been well-received on both sides of the Atlantic, which is really flattering and rewarding.  One review said – ‘The Dirty Royals’ potent blend of pop rock chutzpah and mod-garage barrage of boiling powerchords (not to mention a few shy hints of psychedelia peeking out here and there) makes Obsessed America an entirely listenable joyride’ – which made me smile.  The EP’s reviews often reference really classic bands like The Stones, The Beach Boys and The Beatles – which is really cool – as well as a bunch of new-wave groups we dig like XTC and The Buzzcocks … so I guess we’re doing something right!”

2. The Recording Process – there are so many interesting ways that music projects coming into being these days compared with what artists encountered years ago.  Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way.  Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?

Simon: “The majority of the band are based in Oxford, UK and our drummer Keith is based in LA, so the main obstacle we have to overcome is the Atlantic Ocean.  I write the songs and work up the basic vocal and guitar arrangements with Matt and Jimmy here.  Then we make a basic recording and send that to Keith who can then work out the drum parts.  Of course, the rhythm of the track is such a vital part of all music that what Keith adds can often take the track in a new and different direction in terms of feel.

If I’ve learned anything through the process (I wouldn’t presume to call it wisdom), it’s that I shouldn’t get too wedded to whatever pre-conceived ideas I have about the rhythm of a song I write, because whatever Keith comes up with is invariably more inspired than what may have thought of.”

3. Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you’d like to share here?

Matt: “I love the lyrical idea of the track ‘CIA’ which likens the snooping of a jealous girlfriend to the actions of a repressive and oppressive regime obsessed with surveillance and security cameras.  That sort of 1984 paranoia, rather than love.  I just think that is a really nice twist.  Then again, the recent revelations about phone tapping and newspapers like ‘News of the World’ and the Police being investigated for corruption and invading privacy on a commercial scale is kinda like life imitating art!  Ha! Ha!”

Keith: “’There’s a Riot Going On’ is a very special song to me.  That was one of the first songs that I changed the feel and rhythm to make it really stick in the pocket.  When we played it together the “new” way we all locked in as a team automatically and flawlessly.  That is probably one of my favorite songs to play live and whenever we are doing our last show of a tour I get depressed when we finish that song on stage because I realize it might be a while before I can hear it again.  Plus, it has taken on a life of it’s own live.  We have stops, accents, and little jokes live with this song that really make us feel like a gang ready to take on the rest of the world.  My favorite part of our live show is when Simon hits a nice long note towards the end of Riot and I follow his intensity on the drums. Gives me chills just thinking about it!”

4.  As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are you thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of them helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?

Simon: “Obviously the internet and iTunes means that pretty much anyone anywhere can access your music, and the artist has the flexibility to do this his or herself – which in theory is quite freeing.  Everyone can potentially access your music, although the challenge is to drive awareness such that people do.  I don’t necessarily think that the creative temperament of the artist is consistent with the industrious qualities required to organise and administrate that side of music distribution.  I certainly miss having independent record companies who would handle that side of it and leave the artist to focus on the music.

Also, having music in a centralised location for the whole world to access means that you can’t reflect cultural and social differences between countries.  We have released records in UK, USA, Japan and Australia, and the Japanese market has a completely different idea about artistic sensibilities (the Japanese label insisted on totally stylistically different artwork and a different track-listing for the Japanese release).  I miss having the expertise of people co-ordinating the vital behind the scenes side, and also being able to call upon the advice of people with their ear to the ground in different cultures.”

5. Along the lines of this discussion, it would be really interesting to get your thoughts on what you think the future of ‘music enjoyment’ might look like?  How do you personally enjoy and ‘consume’ music?  Any trends you’ve noticed with your own habits? 

Simon: “I have succumbed to iTunes and iPods etc for new music I buy, but I haven’t really committed to burning my existing CD’s onto my computer. I like to have something to hold and look at when I’m listening to music, so to an extent I am still lamenting the passing of the vinyl album.  As a kid I would absorb all the info on the inner and outer sleeve, whereas the digital format means I barely know what the tracks are called, let alone who did backing vox and handclaps.”

Matt: “Yeah, I still enjoy the ritual that used to surround listening to music when I was a kid too – slipping a shining-sheet of vinyl from a well-designed inner-sleeve before poring over the artwork and lyrics.  I think that artists like Bjork and Radiohead are pointing the way to what the digital future of music might look like.  Bjork’s latest release, ‘Biophilia’, comes as close to that hands-on, multi-media experience as I think is possible using non-physical releases.  But, in general, music purchasing has become an unromantic affair – clicking a button on a screen doesn’t exactly match the thrill of a trip to a well-stocked record store and browsing for hours on end.”

Keith: “I have to say that I do enjoy going on Itunes and randomly searching and picking music from bands I have never heard of before.  I have found some amazing music that has really inspired me by spending hours just buying random music.  I do agree with Matt and Simon though; I also love getting a real album or CD in my hands so I can enjoy the artwork, lyrics, or band notes in the booklet.  I still find myself staring at my huge CD rack that contains thousands of CD’s in amazement and excitement about what is in those skinny plastic cases.  On a more negative note, I fear that technology is killing the concert industry.  When I was a kid you had to go to concerts to see your favorite bands because YouTube wasn’t around yet.  Bands had a mystique about them.  They were bigger than life.  Now, you can look up any band at anytime on YouTube so most people – at least in California – don’t want to deal with traffic, parking, etc. so they just stay at home and watch footage on their little screens.”

6. So many artists are wrestling with different ways to approach the recording process now – I would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them.  Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what? 

Simon: “The priority has to be digital availability.  We have an album recorded – but I love album artwork – so I expect we would do some hard copies too.  Plus, it’s good to have something to sell at shows and to give other people the opportunity to experience the multi-sensory pleasure I crave myself.”

Matt: “There are some nights when I am really glad you can’t download T-shirts.  Merchandise seems to be one thing that the artist can sell at gigs that can’t be obtained later or shared on-line.  It is a strange state of affairs.  We’re in a band because we’re musicians, not clothing retailers.  Although, I think Liam Gallagher might have forgotten that at some point over the past couple of years.”

7. What are you finding that is working well for your music right now that others may find interesting to hear about?

Simon: “Les Paul Deluxe straight through Vox AC15 cranked up full equals instant Mick Ronson.”

8. Okay – time for some light humor:  Spinal Tap Moment – dig deep. Locate. Relive. Share that special ‘trauma’ with all of us!  😀

Simon: “It’s hard to choose one moment among so many split trousers, broken bones, van crashes and inconveniently timed stomach upsets; but there were certainly times when I wished that the drummer we had before Keith would spontaneously combust.”

Keith: “I am glad to hear that Simon doesn’t want me to explode, that is a nice feeling.  I was on a flight once with our old manager that insisted on eating hard boiled eggs on the plane (not a good smell on a plane might I add) while discussing his views on sex while everyone else around us listened in.  I think I lost my libido for several months after that chat.  I would have preferred to be locked in a pod on stage.”

9. Is there a particular musician you’d love to collaborate with – and why? 

Simon: “Ace Frehley, just so I could turn up two hours late to see how he likes it.”

Keith: “Ha! Ha!  Hmmm, I would have to say Jonsi` from Sigur Ros.  They are probably one of my favorite bands on this planet.  Jonsi`’s guitar tone and vocal melodies really affect me in a very spiritual/ positive way.  He writes music that makes it okay to die.”

10. Advance apologies: the ‘classic’ questions.   What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: “Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time”?  (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust me!)

Simon: “The Zombies – ‘Odessey and Oracle’ (their misspelling not mine); Beach Boys – ‘Pet Sounds’; Pixies – ‘Bossa Nova’; Slayer – ‘Reign in Blood’ and Jan Johansson – ‘Musik Genom Fyra Sekler’.”

Matt: “That’s a really tasty list of albums.  I am not sure what I could replace.  I might just try and squeeze in a copy of ‘Forever Changes’ by Love or ‘Blonde on Blonde’ by Dylan.”

Keith: “My favorites change frequently, but here is the most recent list: Arcade Fire – ‘Funeral’ and ‘The Suburbs’ (its a tie between the two), Sigur Ros – ‘()’ , Van Halen – ‘Fair Warning’, Nine Inch Nails – ‘Pretty Hate Machine’ and The Smiths – ‘Louder Than Bombs’.”

11. We’re always trying to find new music discover here at PGH – what are some of your favorite music releases of 2011?

Matt: “2011 is shaping-up to be a pretty decent year for music.  My current favorites are ‘Anna Calvi’ by Anna Calvi, ‘Cat’s Eyes’ by Cat’s Eyes, ‘Forever Dolphin Love’ by Conan Mockasin, ‘What Did You Expect from The Vaccines?’ by The Vaccines, ‘Jonny’ by Jonny, ‘Songs for The Ravens’ by Sea of Bees, ‘Treefight for Sunlight’ by Treefight for Sunlight, and ‘Skying’ by The Horrors.  Those are all worth a listen.  Oh yeah, the new Boris album is pretty hot too, if you like your music h-e-a-v-y.”

Keith: “Beastie Boys – ‘Hot Sauce Committee Part 2’.  There are others I can’t think of at the moment, but I usually take Matt’s opinion on what to get.  He is a walking, breathing, and living music store that has endless shelves of new music and we share a lot of the same tastes.”

Simon: “’Broken Bells’ by Broken Bells and ‘Good News’ by Withered Hand are both sublime.  Not sure if it’s 2011, but ‘Well Done Europe’ by The Chap is also good.”

12. Yes, it would be great if most indie musicians could work on music full-time but the reality rarely the case for most of them.  I always am asked by music fans, what are the careers or full-time jobs that the musicians of the music they are listening to do…so ‘what’s yr main gig?!’  ;-P 

Simon: “Marketing consultant by day, male stripper in a gogo bar by night.”

Keith: “I do session work.  I also co-own a veterinary hospital.”

Matt: “I work for the Government.  If I told you what I did … I’d have to kill you.”

13. We’re taking an informal PGH poll of all musicians:  Do you own a Kindle or Nook?  Any thoughts on what reading books looks like to you?

Simon: “A what? I’m an old skool book fan all the way.”

Matt: “Ha! Yeah, I don’t own a Kindle or a Nook either.  I like the sheer physicality – the weight, texture and smell – of books too much.  I can appreciate that these products allow you to create your own personal, light-weight and totally portable library … but books should be hefty and substantial objects of beauty.  I am probably being overly sentimental, but books are more than the words they contain – they can hold memories and ought to be treasured, savoured and shared with friends.  That is something that I wish the current government in the UK would have really thought about before they started closing down public libraries.”

14. Okay, last question:  Where can we learn more about your music and any other releases you have?

Matt: “It is easy, just head for www.myspace.com/dirtyroyals and check us out.”