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The Leisure Society’s main man, Nick Hemming,
has previous form – he’s behind the scores for Shane
Meadows’ films Dead Man's Shoes and A Room For Romeo
Brass and was in fleetingly successful 90s indie bands
The Telescopes and She Talks To Angels. And while that’s
possibly important, as of about now it doesn’t matter.
It’s all only about The Leisure Society. Their desperately
beautiful and charmingly English tempered Christmas
single ‘The Last Of The Melting Snow’ (out now!)
may have taken a good deal less money at William Hill
than that Terry Wogan novelty thing or that warbling
girl that just won the Vex Factor, but it’s little-drummer-boying
up a good deal of interest from voices as authentic
as Mark Radcliffe and Lauren Laverne on their respective
radio shows. It is a delicate, trembling seasonal folk
tune of longing, to be filed alongside Sufjan Stevens,
Simon & Garfunkel, Elliot Smith and more home-grown
Brighton peers Clearlake. And it’s wonderful. Like watching
an old jumpy Hi-8 video recording of a childhood snowball
fight. It’s a quiet and understated announcement of
arrival which hopefully by next Christmas will be echoing
a little louder. Also file under tips for 2009. Nick
took a break from dressing his tree and drinking sherry
to let us know where his Christmas head is at..
Have you been a good boy?
I always try to treat my fellow human being with respect,
despite the endless provocation that is part & parcel
of using London public transport every day. I think
I fall somewhere between Mother Theresa & Gordon Ramsey.
Mind you, Ramsey does a lot more for charity than me
so perhaps I'm doing him a disservice there.
What was last Christmas album you bought?
I saw the heart-warming animation for Sufjan Stevens'
'Put the Lights On The Tree' on Youtube last year &
had to dash out & buy his 'Songs For Christmas' album.
On closer inspection it seems the song is about prank
calling you lonely Grandmother & telling her Jesus is
coming for Christmas dinner.... Although I may have
misunderstood.
What was the last Christmas movie you saw?
I think it was Elf. I find Will Ferrell extremely watchable
with that naive, stupidity thing he has going on. Essentially
though this film is just 'The Jerk' with tinsel. After
all these years I've still never watched 'It's A Wonderful
Life'. I'm determined to catch it this Christmas. Box
ticked, move on.
What are you most looking forward to about Christmas?
Having a few days off with nothing but food, films &
fresh socks.
What do you hate about Christmas?
The mercenary hoarding of food & mothers battling in
the isles of Dixons over the latest Xbox.
Who are you willing to the Christmas number 1 spot?
The Leisure Society of course ! 'The Last Of The Melting
Snow' is released on Dec 15th. Plug, plug.
How's your Christmas shopping going?
It's not I'm afraid. I always leave it until 3:30pm
on Christmas Eve. It makes for some 'interestingly'
haphazard gifts.
Top moment of 2008?
Getting record of the week on Mark Radcliffe's show.
I've been listening to his shows for years so to hear
him singing our praises was very special.
What are your plans for next year?
We're releasing our debut album in March so we'll be
touring that. The main goal is to turn music into a
career rather than an expensive, all-consuming hobby.
Relevant sites:
www.myspace.com/theleisuresociety
James Berry for Crud Magazine 2008©
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