The Farm made a comeback with the single ‘Feel The Love‘ in September last year and made a follow up to that with the single ‘Let The Music (Take Control) on the 1st of February this year.
Abigael got to sit down and have a chat with guitarist Keith Mullen.
Read below.
Abby: Would you be able to tell us a little bit about yourself for those who don’t know you very well ?
Keith: Sure ! My name is Keith Mullen, one of the guitarists in the Liverpool band The Farm. We’ve been around for a while, as you hopefully know. I work on various projects like writing music for film and TV – mainly for documentaries. I also work for Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, commonly known as Lipper.
Abby: You recently released your new single. What are the feedback or reactions you’ve gotten so far ?
Keith: The feedback to the single has been fantastic. It’s part of a series of new songs we’re releasing. We began releasing last year, in September. We’re getting the same reaction to this one, which is great. We weren’t necessarily planning a new career or anything; it was just a consequence of enjoying writing over the last few years. We played it to our management, and they convinced us to release it. The plan is to continue releasing music until we don’t feel like it anymore.
Abby: That sounds great. What do you hope the audience could take from your music ?
Keith: We hope people will enjoy it and find some small enjoyment in their lives through our music. We aim to make some form of social commentary, writing about things that mean something to us and impact us. Our goal is not necessarily to write about love or breaking up, but rather issues that resonate with us.
Abby: That’s interesting. Because for some people it’s the other way around.
Keith: Yeah ! Maybe one day …
Abby: Ah, maybe you have to be unhappy to write such songs ?
Keith: Oh, we’re all quite able to be unhappy …
[laughs]
Abby: Who would be your influences then ?
Keith: One of the major influencers was Nile Rodgers. His influence was evident when we were writing a track, and it kind of set us in a specific direction. We aim to make our music danceable, with a touch of disco, inspired by our influences from the past.
Abby: How would you convince people to listen to your music ?
Keith: It’s simple. Just go on your streaming platform, click the link, and give it a listen. If you like it, continue listening. If not, explore new music beyond your usual preferences.
Abby: That’s a good approach. What can people expect from your shows ?
Keith: A good time ! We really enjoy playing live, and it’s one of the reasons we got back together. If you don’t have a good time, you’re more than welcome to get your money back after the show. Or I’ll buy you a drink !
Abby: Be careful what you say now; you’ll be getting loads of requests ! [laughs] Do you have any memorable or embarrassing moments on stage?
Keith: Oh I have a terrible one … One embarrassing moment. It was during a guitar solo where I was supposed to be flown across the stage, and the cable snapped. I nearly fell onto the stage ! And all I could hear from men in the crowd was: “you fat bastard ! You fat bastard !”
[laughs]
Abby: Oh, that sounds nerve-wracking !
Keith: Yeah, it wasn’t clever at all.
Abby: Lastly, what is your dream venue, country, or city to play live, and why ?
Keith: I’d love to play in a kind of exotic location, perhaps in a Roman amphitheatre like the one in Lyon, France. The setting and feel of a place like that make the experience extraordinary.
Abby: What’s your least favourite song that you’ve ever written ?
Keith: You instantly become forgetful when asked about songs you don’t like, don’t you ?
[laughs]
Keith: There’s one or two on the second album … We used to do a version of this song called Rain, which was a lot more kind of indie rock, I suppose. And it was great, but then we kind of changed it for the second album, and it’s one of the ones I don’t really like. I always thought we could have done better with it, you know ?
Abby: Yeah, you just don’t connect with it. Now, would you have any questions you wish journalists would ask you but never do ?
Keith: Not really, because we normally cover things that are kind of bound to our lifestyle which – when you’re in a band – is kind of what it should be about you know ? But, you’ve thrown me some curveballs today, which I thought were quite good, to be honest with you.
Abby: Ahh, good ! I’m glad ! I know it can be very repetitive and boring answering the same questions over and over …
Keith: Well, I mean, understand that you have to do that because you have to kind of establish the reason you’re there for … To be subjected to that; it is what it’s all about. But then, I’m okay just leaving that up to the journalist really, you know, I’ll answer whatever question I’m asked. Well, I’ll try to give it my best. So, no, I don’t really have a kind of a wish list of questions or anything like that. But normally you know, I kinda like to discuss anything from music to politics or that type of thing. Or make some form of social commentary, you know ? It’s good to use the opportunity to do so at times.
Abby: Well, if you want to say anything, go ahead. Now’s your chance ! [laughs]
Keith: I’m okay, you know, I don’t think I’ve got anything to rant about.
[laughs]