From Frontman and songwriter of Sheffield's Little Man Tate to proper solo artist, Jon Windle.
To those not previously acquainted with Jon Windle, briefly who are you?
I was the lead singer/songwriter in Little Man Tate
So to start with obviously you used to be in Little Man Tate, with fear of raking up old ground why did the band split after only four years?
We wanted to go out with a bang the same way we came in. The music industry wasn’t where we wanted to be at the time anymore.
Did you achieve everything you wanted to with Little Man Tate?
Ha ha, well we started out to have some fun and we deffo did that. So we achieved the main objective.
Do you have one overriding stand out memory from your time in the band?
Loved the festivals and had some great tours. Playing the main stage at Leeds has to be right up there.
Is there anything you’d particularly recommend from the Little Man Tate back catalogue for the first time listener?
Check out all the bsides. They were some of the best stuff we wrote.
One last Little Man Tate question, the band was named after the film, did you ever see it or was it from the listings as stated on wikipedia!
Seen it but I saw it on the listings and thought that’s a different name for a band.
So after the band split in 2009 did you have an idea what you were planning on doing? Did you consider a ‘proper’ job outside of music?
Yeah, was gonna get a proper job but then I got the bug again.
What lead you down the path of a solo artist?
I was writing and recording some stuff to try and get a publishing deal and my mate suggested we put some on album. We put a live band together and the rest is history.
You’ve already recorded and released one solo album ‘Step out the man’ what’s it like and how does it differ to stuff you wrote whilst in the band?
It’s good I reckon. It’s a bit of a transition from me been in the band to goin on my own. The new album I’m recording that’s out next year is very different but even better.
Was it released on a ‘proper’ label or was it self released like so many bands / artists are doing these days?
It was released on my own proper label Tiny TeethRecords but without a budget. The next album will be a full release with full backing.
What’s your view on the current state of the ‘music industry’?
Not as good a place without Little Man Tate, but the industry drove us out. That’s why I use my own label to do my solo stuff.
You gig quite extensively, have you got a full band or is it just you and a guitar?
I've got a full band but I've also been doing some dates on my own with my acoustic which is good too. You get to be up close and personal in small intimate venues. It’s a different vibe but a really good laugh
What’s your best and worst solo gigs? Also what to you makes a great gig?
Best Sheffield at the plug, worst Tunbridge wells. I like high energy and to leave an impression.
Where can we find out about Jon Windle gigs and records, is there the usual website / facebook / myspace page and what’s on there?
the links are on there for facebook and the like.
Is there still a website for Little Man Tate or has that now been consigned to the history books?
History books I'm afraid.
Anyway Jon you are from Sheffield and on a long list of bands / artists to come from the steel city? Why do you think the city has produced so many great bands?
Just a great city for music. Same as a lot of places but we get a lot more attention these days.
Do you think there is a musical rivalry between Sheffield and cities like Manchester and Liverpool across t’pennines?
haha, well certainly not from me. Some of the best gigs I've ever done have been across the Pennines. They’ve always created a top atmosphere and made me feel really welcome.
How would you describe the current scene in the city and any Sheffield bands we should be looking out for?
Great, keep your eyes out for see emily play, she’s gonna do really well. Check her site
What song would get you up dancing every time & why?
ha ha, any one of mine. I don’t like to see the dance floor empty.
What was the last song you listened to and was it any good?
Been sat with my baby son and wind the bobbin up was on. Does that count? Great track.
Has there been any one band that has influenced you above any other and if so what’s so special about them?
So many bands/songwriters have influenced me but ever since I was in my early teens I was John Lennon mad. I love Damon Albarn too. He can turn his hand to all sorts.
John, Paul, George or Ringo? Who would you be & why?
Well like I say John Lennon’s an idol but I’d like to be alive so Paul or Ringo. Probably edge towards Ringo so I could have narrating Thomas The Tank on my cv.
If you had to go to confession tomorrow what would you have to confess to and do you regret doing it!
ha ha, everyone makes mistakes but as I’ve got older it’s about learning from them and hopefully not making the same mistake again.
In ten words write your own press release (swearing is definitely allowed!)…
New Album from Jon Windle is going to be immense.
December 2011