Interview

Mildred

Finally got them both together in one place other than a 'stage'. A major coup considering their intolerance to ...... well ...... each other.

Question

Well then! Interesting name 'Pelican Babies' tell us more.

Mark

We wrote a song based on an aborigine dreamtime legend which we called 'Pelican Babies' - liked the title and thought 'Why not!' It's our feature song with the didgeridoo and the whole idea seems original to us!

Question

Didgeridoo - sounds interesting! So what's the style of your music - World Music?

Lea

We love the didge and find it inspiring! It may be the oldest instrument in the world but it has a distinctive sound that many people find hypnotic and spiritual.

Question

It's just one note isn't it? Isn't it limiting?

Lea

That's true, but you will be amazed how many chords of the quitar blend with that note. On the other hand, the rhythms that come out of the didge are something else.

Mark

We've got a couple of songs near completion that again feature the didge, but I must say that the bulk of our material is guitar based.

Lea

We also feature quite a lot of harmonica.

Mark

Didn't know you had a sister.

Question

So you play harmonica as well Lea?

Lea

Yes, I've been playing for a number of years. I used to take it everywhere with me. It's the one instrument that I always had with me - you can play it at any time.

Question

How old where you when you first played?

Lea

About 14, I started playing folk music. I suppose the turning point was hearing the theme tune to the Old Grey Whistle Test. It was then I realised there was another way to play.

Question

There seems to be a great deal of variety in your set. Is it something that you strive for?

Mark

I encourage Lea to take up instruments that engage his mouth, that way I don't have to listen to him talk ...... or sing. Actually, it can be very difficult to sound interesting when there's only two of you.

Lea

Except if your name is Simon and Garfunkel!

Mark

Okay, apart from Simon and Garfunkel.

Lea

Then there's the Everly Brothers.

Mark

Okay, apart from Simon and Garfunkel and the Everly Brothers.

Lea

Then there's Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid?

Mark

Okay, apart from Simon and Garfunkel, the Everly Brothers and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Lea

And you can't forget Morcambe and Wise and Tom and Jerry!

Mark

Shouldn't you be practising your didgeridoo? ...... Where were we? yes, we try to keep things interesting and I dare say we'll introduce something else in the future.

Question

What are your influences?

Mark

I listen to all kinds of music, depends on what mood I'm in. I tend to flick through CDs. I can listen to James Taylor, Radiohead, Bowie and classical music all in one hour.

Lea

Recently I've been listening to harmonica styles that include Larry Adler and Sonny Terry; loads of pop music; and I don't know if you remember Duncan Brown, the song is ages old now, but it's brilliant, called 'Journey' and it's an absolute classic - with great production by Mickey Most.

Question

What do you plan to do over the next six months to one year?

Mark

We'll continue writing and performing, we've got some interesting ideas for new material. We usually know pretty soon if something is going to work or not, and we definitely have enough material for an album. Maybe we'll do that. The response we get when we use the didge 'live' is quite amazing, performing is high on our agenda.

Mildred

Well, I think that was more than interesting lads. I hope I can interview you again in the future, and the best of luck.

Mark and Lea

Thanks Mildred!!