Hiya Al Shalliker thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
I’ve always loved music, I remember finding some of my dad’s vinyl LPs in an old tea chest around the age of twelve. Those album’s included The Free Wheelin’ Bob Dylan which I played back to back. Abbey Road, The Beatles was in there too.
Introduce us to you and your musical history.
I’m Al Shalliker an alt-folk singer-songwriter from Plymouth, England. I was the lead songwriter and guitarist for Plymouth band Watershed who were prolific live performers nationwide over a period of more than 20 years. I’m now producing music as a solo artist and 2021 saw the release of my debut solo album ‘Silver Linings’. I’m very pleased to say my second record ‘The Diamond Hill’ will land on Friday 8th November, 2024. I’m excited about where this record will take me.
What’s the live music scene like in Plymouth right now? Anyone we should be looking out for (Bar you of course)
The music scene in Plymouth is vibrant, particularly the live circuit and you should look out for our very own Vince Lee, a fantastic blues singer and guitarist and also Mad Dog Mcrae who mix up folk rock and gypsy jazz, while fronted by the excellent Mike Mathieson from Donegal, Ireland. Rob C is also worth checking out, a great songwriter and virtuoso guitar player.
I’ve seen a lot of people struggling for support recently online. Whats your view on the industry?
My old band Watershed probably would have benefited from the internet and music-streaming platforms. We were a busy gigging band but we also liked to continuously create and record whenever time allowed. We did find ourselves a record deal but the industry model for aspiring artists back then was very different and while there are very different challenges now, artists do at least have a platform to get their music out into the world under their own steam. I really like the independence that affords and appreciate that.
My interactions with the music industry have been mixed. I’ve met some great people and had a lot of fun along the way but it’s great being able to make your own choices as to how you present the art you’ve created without having to compromise on sincerity.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
I fit inside of the alt-folk, indie-folk and folk rock genres and am influenced by the classic songwriters but I think the new album ‘The Diamond Hill’ is another representation of my inimitable style. My songwriting is my own.
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you.
I really like Bob Dylan.
I really like The Beatles.
I really like Donald Trump.
Do you ever worry about people taking things the wrong way or cancel culture? Discuss….
No I don’t really worry too much about that. I do things my own way and am a little old school but I’m definitely a ‘more joy and less division’ type person so try and live a decent life and behave accordingly.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories? If not why not?
No I’m not really driven by conspiracy theories. I think people can rely on them to attach a meaning or significance to their existence when life is hard to fathom. Thousands of years ago people used to perceive there was a god of the sun in order to send it across the sky every day. Now people stay up all night smoking weed and listening to crack pots on the internet to give themselves insight. People can be drawn into looking for convenient truths.
What was your best experience on stage?
Supporting The Levellers at Cornwall Coliseum to a packed 2000 strong audience was a good one. Also my last solo gig at a pub in Plymouth was a good moment. I’m finding better ways to express my songs live now.
What was your worst experience on stage?
Probably when Jo the singer in my old band Watershed felt ill and left the stage during the first song of a set to a packed house of ska fans in Bristol. We were supporting The Nutty Boys a spin off of Madness and Jo was promptly sick over their singer’s shoes. He took it well enough though and the gig worked out well in the end. We got out alive.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
I’m also a technical stage manager at Theatre Royal Plymouth who enjoys going surfing around Devon and Cornwall and the wider world if time allows.
What are the next steps you plan to take as a band to reach the next level?
I think the new album ‘The Diamond Hill’ will provide new opportunities and feels like the album where my solo project has now been more fully realised.
I hear you have a new music, what can you tell us about it.
The Diamond Hill is a collection of my own songs where I’ve collaborated with just two of my oldest musical friends. I cover the guitar and singing while Tony Davies joins me on bass with Alex McGinnes on harmonica. Its a more focused and rootsy sound then my first album. The first single ‘Time Out Of Mind’ released on Friday 11th October 2024 is a surrealist, retrospective of a hedonistic lifestyle. It also acknowledges some of the drivers that can send us down the destructive path.
What was the recording process like?
The recording process was tiring of course, especially producing the record myself but it was nice to have time to experiment with arrangement and tempo. The idea was to create a sound like we were all playing in the one room and I think we largely achieved that. This helped keep the sparkle.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
Remember no-one knows the feel of your music better than you do.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
Not a thing.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
More joy, less division.
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