Interview with Danny Gruff ahead of OsFest 2012
If you have not heard of Danny Gruff and The Peacemakers, then you need to read on because you are missing a treat.
Wrexham born singer/songerwriter Danny Gruff took time out to let us interview him, before he heads for Osfest this weekend where he will be playing on the main stage this Sunday ahead of Goldie Lookin Chain and Razorlight.
Tell us a little about how you and the peacemakers came together
I was (and still do a fair few gigs as) a solo artist. And it got to a point, about 1 and a half years ago, when I decided things needed to be taken up a step. So I got a few friends together and we starting jamming out my solo stuff as a band. We recorded the first EP and decided to start gigging more. The feedback I’ve had from having the band is a positive one, the songs seemed to really come alive especially in live gigs.
Where do you get your inspiration for your songs ?
Mostly from my friends or from things surrounding me. If anything happens to me that I think ‘Ooo people might want to hear about that’, I write about it in a melodic fashion. A lot of musical stuff recently has come from late night sessions in the studio with the band, we just start playing a riff and a few hours later and there’s a demo recorded for it.
I hear that since you released your latest EP Friends/Love/Drink you have been touring the UK, what has been the most memorable gig and why?
I have done 2 full tours since the release, along with alot of scattered shows across the UK. For me, the most memorable was the headline gig we did in our hometown (Wrexham) at the end of the first tour. It sold out, we were the first local band to do that, it was a great atmosphere at the gig. I tried to create an atmosphere where every one wanted to be everyone else’s friend. It worked really well, we had a good dance and drink at the end of the night to round it off! Closely followed by King Tut’s in Glasgow, that was an amazing gig.
You’re playing at OsFest this weekend, what do you think you highlight will be?
Apart from that playing, I’m really forward to seeing Hard Fi. There’s some other great acts playing as well who are lesser known, such as Lucy Spraggan, who’s playing just after us on the Sunday. I really like her stuff, she has a good way of writing melodies which I’m jealous of.
Is there a festival you would really like to headline?
At the risk of sounding terribly cliche, I’m going to say T in the Park. I know it’s a big one, but you got to dream big I suppose.
Who is your Favourite Artist? And who would you love to work with?
The Beatles. Although that is not very apparent in our music, it’s probably the biggest influence that we all share. I’d love to work with Bruce Springsteen, that would be amazing. As well as Frank Turner. Maybe both, that would be a good day for every one.
Which artist can be found on your mp3 player?
A range of artists really. Recently my most played songs are by a band called Candle Thieves who I was on tour with. Also, Bruce Springsteen, Newton Faulkner, Frank Turner, Gaslight Anthem, Jim Lockey and loads more.
What do you think you’d be doing if you were not singer?
I worked in Woolworths for a bit, but that wasn’t for me. Probably unemployed waiting for a job vacancy at Legoland or the Disney store to open up.
What are some of your musical influences? Right now and growing up?
From early age, it’s always been the Beatles. As I got older, I got into more stuff like that such as the Kinks, Rod Stewart (early stuff) and Rolling Stones and stuff. I’m really into folky lyrics now that tell a story, and let you into that singers mind for about 3 and a half minutes. Artists like Springsteen, Frank Turner, Ben Marwood, Newton Faulkner and Gaslight Anthem are really influencing me at the moment.
What are your plans for 2012?
Releasing our second EP as a band at the end of the year called ‘Kings and Queens’. I’m doing a solo theatre tour in late November/Early December across the UK with Dave Giles and the Candle Thieves. We’ve just released a new video for the new single ‘I’m Coming Home’ which is out soon.
Finally what is your guilty pleasure?
Mcfly
Thank you Danny for being a such great sport, enjoy OsFest and we look forward to hearing some amazing things from you this year
