Bent Interview

It's not many bands that really give insight into their lives much beyond what their record company has decided their 'story' is, much less provide this insight in a creative and practical way. Ministry of Sound, musical all-rounders, Bent, however, decided that a schedule of recording, producing and Djing wasn't enough to keep them busy and when a decision had to be made about the cover for their Flavour Country EP, they teamed up with designer and all round nice guy, Jay Burridge to come up with a concept which would both increase their work load and give their followers something a bit more personal.

The resultant cover, a sequence of 500 photographs taken by the band in the 6 weeks running up to the EP's release, was produced with the help of Olympus. If this was not enough, an original and exclusive print from the cover, was included in each of the 500 vinyl copies released.

Steal-Life caught up with Bent to chat about creativity, photography and the future of music.

Simon, you went to art college, do you approach making music in the same way that you approached making a painting, or is the creative approach different?

"Well, obviously the approach is different, but I think the overall objective is the same - when I made images, I was interested in aesthetics and composition, and capturing a certain mood or feeling visually. Music has similar factors i.e. composition, textures and even colouring - to be honest though I tend to just set about making something that I'd personally like to listen to or look at, and there's no massive deep meaning, except for self expression. Did that sound like bollocks? ahahah!"

Nail, I understand you've got some kind of a photographic qualification?

"I was the only person to pass photography at college without owning a camera".

Can you give us a little run down on the creative idea behind your photographic work on the new Bent, 'Flavour Country' E.P and how you are involved?

Nail: "After deciding we'd do it ourselves, we thought a photo would be nice, then between us and the label we came to the conclusion that seeing as the vinyl would be limited to 500 copies why not make each one a bit special".

"The idea of individual sleeves was considered for a while, before agreeing that a sleeve made up of 500 photos taken by Simon and I with an print of one of those photos inside each copy would be a nice idea. It's nice for people to buy a record and know that their copy is different to everyone else's is some way".

Simon: "We were wanting to take pictures of the sunflowers in various (and ridiculous) places, the idea that the sleeve would contain 500 photos, and each record would have one of the photos in it - but it seemed to evolve into the idea that we just took pictures of things that we both see on a daily basis, bits of Nottingham and obviously a picture of me and my Mum. It's also seemed quite nice to think that someone somewhere has a picture of my toilet!"

Are there any of the shots that you are particularly proud of?

Nail: "I like all of them in different ways, but there's some taken in Berlin that I'm really proud of, plus there's a photo of my brother Adam that's pretty cool too, he looks like he's got 2 faces".

Simon: "I quite like the one of my bike."

I know that when I first picked up a digital camera, I couldn't stop taking photos – mostly of stuff which I wouldn't normally have shot, using the camera as a creative tool rather than just a way of documenting events; how has having a digital camera with you at all times changed your perception of photography?

Simon: "Yeah! It's been nice to roam around town and various places recording little moments in time - normally I just walk around not noticing the little things, but when you've got a camera in your pocket, you use your eyes more!"

Nail:  "The power to see a photo seconds after it being taken and decide if it's any good or not, then change how you take it again if you're not happy with it, really encourages you to be more creative I think. It's not like you have to wait 48 hours for Boots to process them any more".

Has it also changed your perception of the world around you – do you find yourself looking at stuff in a different way – seeing more creative opportunities?

Nail:  "Absolutely. Sometimes you see great symmetry in everyday things that with the aid of a digital camera you are more able to capture, especially with the screen on the back so you get it bang on. Then after just plug it straight into your computer and crop it, if need be. I've managed to get some really interesting shots from nowt really".

Simon: "Well, as I said, you do notice more of what's around you - I've been watching rather than seeing. Photos have a massive sentimental factor, even if the image isn't particularly interesting!"

Nail, did you find your recent life changing experiences (illness and the birth of your daughter) has changed your artistic perception or approach?

"I think things like that will change most aspects of your life".
"Astrud's constantly around to remind me that, whereas the illness is becoming more and more a thing of the past so not as much as an influence anymore. It was certainly a kick up the arse though!"

Whereas many musicians play one instrument or have just one function in a band, you and Simon play much of the music that appears on your tracks, you DJ and basically create the whole creative product – do you think that this type of 'rounded' approach is more of an honest form of creative expression? Is this the future for music?

Simon: "Well, I think what you've described is the difference between a Producer and a Musician - I've always been interested in the overall creation of a piece of music, rather than focusing on an instrument. With computers and all the rest of it, being technically good on an instrument isn't vital, but it helps!"

Nail:  "It's difficult to see what the future of music is when millions of people tune in to X-Factor every night and see that bloke say that if Michael Stipe walked in for an audition he wouldn't get through to the next round because he's too ugly. That's depressing".

What's coming up for Bent in the near future?

"We'll be releasing a single in the New Year, lots of DJing, we're doing a tour in Australia, and making more music!"