We dropped in on Cammy MacFarlane from Glasgow band Mitchell Museum for a socially distanced chat.
Innovative Glasgow trio, Mitchell Museum have just released their latest single ‘Footsteps 101’ from Scottish independent label, Scottish Fiction.
The single is fresh of the heels of their well-received return single Freakbeak, and is the second track to be taken from the experimental pop band’s third album Skinny Tricks which is due for release on 15th May.
Three years since their last release, album Everett Trap, Mitchell Museum find themselves back with renewed purpose. The pulsating Footsteps 101 was conceived as a concept when frontman Cammy Macfarlane had to re-learn to walk, following a short hospital stay. “I couldn’t walk normally, and there was a point when I was asking my brother if he could show me how to walk like a normal person” he explains. “I remember clearly watching my brother and trying to emulate the way he was walking.”
Are you keeping well and how are you spending lockdown?
I’m good thanks. When I’m not writing songs for Mitchell Museum I’ve got to go and do something far less rock and roll and go to a “day job” so that I can pay the bills. I fall into the Key worker category, so I’ve been spending about 8 hours a day getting…umm…slightly stressed out and then when I get back home I’ll get back into song writing.
Does music mean more to you now than ever and how are you responding to it creatively?
Music means so much to me and always has done. If it was possible, I would have music on constantly wherever I went. I’ve started writing a new album. I’m trying very hard to not write about COVID 19 or use the words self-isolation in anything though as I suspect that in a year’s time we’re going to be drowning in albums that are about our current situation.
What music are you listening to right now?
Right this moment I’m listening to Tupper Werewolf’s current EP and I bloody love it. Before that I was listening to the new Pictish Trail album… everyone’s listening to that aren’t they…if they’re not they should be.
Have you discovered any music gems during isolation?
I discovered the artist Katie Fey a couple of weeks ago. Her album Flood Network is absolutely brilliant.
Get fit or embrace the bulge?
It’s probably going to be “get fit”.
In order for me to get to my job I’ve got to walk into the city centre as I don’t drive, and I’ve chosen to not get public transport. I’m walking about 6 miles a day…I don’t mind though as the weather has not been too bad and I’m enjoying spending the walk listening to music and podcasts.
Have you been surprised at the contents of your kitchen cupboards? And have you made anything delicious from said contents?
I’ve not really been surprised no. I must admit that I could probably be eating better…I really enjoy cooking; I make an excellent chicken curry…even if I do say so myself… But I’ve been a bit too tired to make anything from scratch over the last few weeks.
What habits have started to form or are starting to fade?
The walking…all the walking. I think when this is all over I’ll continue to walk everywhere as I’ve just gotten used to it now.
What random things are you buying online?
Last week I had to buy a new power and adapter for my sampler trust suddenly stopped working and then the next day I had to buy a whole load of new recording equipment as a bunch of things all broke at the same time… That was a very, very disappointing time indeed.
What are you doing to keep motivated? (Because by fuck it’s hard)
Podcasts, music and meeting my pals in “virtual pubs”… Which means catching up with my friends for a pint on Google hangouts.
What are you most looking forward to doing again this is all over?
Meeting my friends in a real pub. I’m really missing Kris and Raindeer from the band. We spend a lot of time together and it’s weird not meeting up with them to play our songs…yeah…I can’t wait to see them in real life again.
And finally, have you anything you would like to plug or declare?
Yes please! Our new single ‘Footsteps 101’ is out now.
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