A Q&A with Venus Fly Trap

Northampton duo blending “Bladerunner rock ‘n’ roll” with electronic visions…

What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
Deja Vu is an overview of our work thus far. After 40 years it is time to take stock and reflect on what we have done and what is the next step.

What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
Choosing the tracks from quite a few albums, but I decided to include tracks that appeared on compilations, plus there are a couple of new tracks alongside a best of.

Who produced the release – what did they bring to it? If you produced it yourselves what do you enjoy most about producing your own material?
The various tracks have been produced by different people in different places. Pat Fish (Jazz Butcher) in Rouen, France; Kevin Haskins (Bauhaus) in Royston, UK; Howard Turner in Norwich; Manni in Bonn, Germany; Martin Bowes (Attrition) in Coventry. They all brought a different angle on what we were doing, a flavour but not to overpower our taste. Also, we have produced our own material more recently as we have worked with electronics more.

What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
To enter a different world, a cinematic soundscape for the listener to immerse themselves into and float along with the sonic tide.

How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
More recently we have basically jammed around ideas, a riff or a lyric. It is taken away and a sparse backing track is created. This is worked on to create a song, going back and forth until we are satisfied that we have created a song.

What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
I listen to an eclectic mix of music, especially as I run Spiral Archive record shop in Northampton. It is good to get as many different influences going into your mind so you come up with something original, so you are not being too obvious. Generally, material on the dark side appeals to me.

What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
We have played most of Europe, but on top of my list would be to play in Japan. Get in touch if you want us to come over! As far as venues, it would be 100 Club, London; Cavern, Liverpool; CBGB, New York; Whisky a Go Go, LA.

If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
‘Morphine’ as it is our first release. Start at the beginning; it is a mix of guitars and drum machine.

What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
To take it to new areas and to be open to other projects that are offered.

Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
Tomorrow is another daze.

Find out more about Venus Fly Trap at facebook.com/thevenusflytrapuk