Introducing: Ian Britt

Bob Marley, the Brontë sisters and ‘Living Doll’ – disparate influences of Sheffield-based singer-songwriter…

YOUR NAME: Ian Britt.
WHAT DO YOU DO/PLAY? Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Ukulele, Piano and occasionally tennis.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING MUSIC?
Picked up a guitar at the age of 7 or 8 after watching Michael J Fox play ‘Johnny B Goode’ in Back to The Future. Been writing songs since I was 15 and I’ve now been recording & releasing music for around 10 years. I still dream of being Marty McFly.

GIVE US THREE REASONS WHY WE SHOULD TRACK DOWN, LISTEN AND DISCOVER YOUR MUSIC?
Reason one: it will change your life. I’m not telling you if that’ll be for better or for worse, but there will be a change in some way. Life is all about taking risks isn’t it? Jump in.
Reason two: I’m skint and could do with your support by downloading some of my songs.
Reason three: I’m lonely and I could do with the friends on my Facebook page.

WHERE DO YOU SOUND BEST – FESTIVAL, CLUB, BEDROOM – OR SOMEWHERE ELSE?
Bedroom, but I don’t go past first base on a first date.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST …
RECORD? My father had a pretty comprehensive 7 inch and 12 inch vinyl collection. So I was spoilt with everything from Creedence Clearwater and Muddy Waters to Cream and Hendrix to Talking Heads and Paul Simon, even some Happy Mondays and Randy Newman. All sorts. I think the first thing I actually bought for myself was Cliff Richard & The Young Ones’ version of ‘Living Doll’. It’s a wonder I’ve not been sectioned with all that going on.
CD? Most probably something like Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ Blood Sugar Sex Magik or Rage Against the Machine. Still two of my favourite albums.
DOWNLOAD? I have no idea what my first was, but my last was Royal Blood’s new album.

SO, WHEN IT ALL GOES RIGHT AND YOU’VE GOT A MANSION AND A SUPERMODEL GIRL/BOYFRIEND, WHAT WILL BE YOUR BIGGEST MUSICAL INDULGENCE?
An odd question! Musical indulgence? I’ll pay someone to invent a new super computer to write, perform and record all my music for me so I can just hang out in the mansion with my supermodel girlfriend and wait for the royalty cheques to come in. It’ll probably sound like a cross between a One Direction album and Cliff Richard & The Young Ones’ version of ‘Living Doll’, but as I’ll be laid in bed with a supermodel I won’t particularly care about musical integrity anymore, will I?

SO, WHEN IT ALL GOES WRONG AND MAGAZINES NO LONGER ASK FOR QUIRKY Q&A-TYPE INTERVIEWS, WHAT DO YOU FALL BACK ON?
Class A drugs, cheap booze and a serious bitterness habit.

PLEASE CITE SOME INTER-BAND MUSICAL DIFFERENCES…
I’m always fighting with the singer and guitarist because of their ridiculous zeal for cheesy pop music, but as they’re both me, it can be hilarious to watch.

WHO ARE YORKSHIRE’S FINEST IN CULTURE, SPORT AND MUSIC?
Jessica Ennis does a good line in running about the place and she has a wonderful six-pack. The Brontë sisters were all from Yorkshire. They wrote a few odds ‘n’ sods I’m told. And let’s not forget Def Leppard.

NAME YOUR SUPER GROUP – WHO’S PLAYING WHAT AND WHO’S ON VOCALS?
We’d be The Ruddy Buggers. John Frusciante – Guitar (Red Hot Chilli Peppers), Matt Helders – Drums (Arctic Monkeys), Bob Marley – Vocals, Aston Barrett – Bass (Bob Marley and The Wailers), Ian Britt – Kazoo (If I’m putting this band together, I’m gonna be in it.)

GO SEE THIS FILM: Network, directed by Sidney Lumet, or I Am Bruce Lee.
GO READ THIS BOOK: Any Human Heart or anything by the Brontë sisters.
GREAT LOST BAND/ARTIST: Enya.
WOULDN’T BE CAUGHT DEAD SUPPORTING: The Ruddy Buggers.

AND FINALLY… AS YOU LEAVE THE STAGE, WHAT ARE YOUR PARTING WORDS?
My mum’s here to pick me up guys, sorry.

For more info visit: facebook.com/ianbrittmusic