Bristol – the UK’s answer to New York?

We grabbed a quick chat with Huey Morgan of Fun Lovin Criminals and BBC6 Music fame ahead of his headline gig at this year’s Valley Fest near Bristol:

Huey! How are you?

Very good, thanks.

I once gave FLC’s Bristol Academy gig a 10/10 in the local paper – great show.

I’m glad the cheque cleared; thank you.

How do you make sure you always put on a good show?

That’s what we do. It’s in our blood, we know no other path. There are two types of bands, those who play ’to’ the crowd, and those who play ‘for’ them. That sounded very clever! But that’s a fact.

You married a Bristol woman right?

My wife is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I’m proud to be her husband.

What do you think of Bristol?

I have a love for the people of Bristol who I met through FLC and they have shown me real, ‘frontline’ Bristol and I see more and more similarities with New York there than any other UK city. It’s a port city, so is NYC; we see things for what they really are, and I love me some of that. Big yourself up, Bristol!

You’re settled in the South West now – how do you like the Westcountry?

I truly find solace in two places on Earth; and I’ve looked. Where I have a home in the UK is one of the most beautiful parts of the world. I still go back to NYC on a regular basis, but Somerset will lower your blood pressure like no other land.

What do you love most about festivals?

I think the best part of playing at any festival we play at is hanging out with the other bands and having a community feel about being lucky people who get to play for people and the different ways we do that.

And least?

Bathrooms.

We’ve heard brilliant things about Valley Fest – what can the audience expect from your set there?

I’m taking over y’all! I got some great music for the folks lined up. Newcomers, legends and most of all, love. I believe that through music we find the, as Abraham Lincoln once put it, ‘The better angels of our nature.’

What does radio mean to you?

Radio is an intimate medium and I have always believed that I should respect that. I like to play music for all types of folks who are in all types of situations and be the soundtrack to their lives without having an agenda.

What song would you love to play on radio but can’t?

C.R.E.A.M. by the Wu Tang Clan. It’s epic, but it’s almost too real for some.

How has your dress sense changed over the years?

I have my clothes and shoes made for me by the same firm for the last 20 years, so I think some lapels have changed; but not too much. Fashion is one of the least of my concerns.

What items couldn’t you live without?

My wedding ring.

You’ve had your fingers in a lot of pies – tattoo shop, pizza place, bar etc. How come?

I come from New York City, if you don’t hustle you don’t eat. It’s a way to keep things fresh, like with my new book; opportunities are a gift. And who am I to turn down a gift?”

What would be your dream business venture?

I’m working on something that will shift the paradigm of music as we know it. It is so revolutionary and outside the box that I have to keep it to myself for now.

What’s the strangest thing anyone’s ever said about your music?

Anything in Cyrillic is strange because I really have no reference point to work from.

And the best thing?

When people say that they enjoyed themselves by listening to our music is what we as a band and me as a bro endeavour to.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Dirty rap music with curses and Sam Cooke.

What song do you wish you’d written?

I haven’ written it yet.

See Huey play live at Valley Fest, which takes place in Chew Valley on Aug 28-30 and also features The Jungle Brothers, The Correspondents, The Egg and more. For more info or to buy tickets, which start at £40 for adults, see: www.valleyfest.co.uk