Posted on May 18, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Ant Matters

The last marvellous Eardrums Music seasonal collection of free new indie talents was the sweetest excuse to go back to some artists I used to listen when I was just a little indie boy. Ant (Antony Harding) was no exception at all, and I was so surprised and happy (let’s say it: jealous too!) to hear him singing for the italian post-pop orchestra Loud Off! Since we recently interviewed them I couldn’t find no better excuse to catch up with Ant as well.

Mark Zonda: ANT, how did your musical adventure begin?

Ant: I started out playing the drums when I was about 11 years old on the Isle Of Wight. My parents bought me a second hand snare drum for my birthday (after months of me dropping hints) complete with several pairs of used sticks and a How To Play Drums by Buddy Rich book. By the age of 12 I had played my first gig accompanying 4 of my school mates all of whom played acoustic guitars. I think we did Get Back, House Of The Rising Sun and I Want Candy. But we still disagree over the set list to this day! It wasn’t until I turned 16 that I bought my first electric guitar from a friend at High School and taught myself the necessary chords with the help of Billy Bragg & Lloyd Cole & The Commotions songbooks.

Mark Zonda: How did you managed to gather so many people around your music?

Ant: It certainly helps to have played in a fairly successful touring band and to have released records on different labels in countries such as Sweden, Spain, Italy & England. But I don’t really think I have gathered very many people but those who have come tend to have stuck around.
Mark Zonda: Do you still play drums?

Ant: The last time I played was probably in Bologna recording the Footprints Through The Snow album for Homesleep Records. That must be a good few years ago now… I used to have the drum kit set up in the living room but that was before the kids arrived. Maybe I’ll get a chance to set them up in the new house. But I’m not sure I want two young drummers in the family!
Mark Zonda: Do you remember when you wrote your first song?

Ant: I remember one day deciding to have a go. I had just bought a new electric guitar and had started my first songbook. I recall that each song was named after a different girl’s name. The songs and the song book were ditched after a few weeks and I began again. I don’t remember at what point I started keeping the songs, maybe when I had bought my first 4 track recorder at Art College. Once the song had become a recording it seemed to make more sense to me.
Mark Zonda: Ever written a secret song just for a girl?

Ant: Oh they’re all secret songs for girls aren’t they? I do have songs that I’ve written about certain girls and they have no idea. I like that.

Mark Zonda: Which are your main influences?

Ant: I would say Leonard Cohen, Prefab Sprout & Rachels all still move me. I would be a proper English folkie if only I could do the finger picking as I love John Martyn, Nick Drake, Bert Jansch & Sandy Denny. More recently I have got into the work of Clifford T Ward whose songs I love. But really I would say everything I have ever listened to influences me in some big or small way. Even if it’s a song I dislike.
Mark Zonda: Unbelievable! I thought I was the only person on Earth knowing Clifford T Ward songs!
How did you get to know his music?

Ant: A fan sent me an email a few years back saying how much he enjoyed the Footprints album and went on to say that he assumed that it was influenced by Cliff T Ward. I had never heard of him. He sent me some mp3s (Gaye, Up In The World, Wherewithal, Home Thoughts From Abroad) and I instantly loved them. Since then I’ve been collecting Cliff’s albums and downloading lots of stuff. He could write a song about anything from Jackdaws to cricket.
Mark Zonda: What’s the definition of indie pop? Is your music indie pop in the end?

Ant: Oh I don’t know, C86 and all that. Was it John Peel that first coined it Shambling music? I think at first I was attempting to do indie pop, I listened a lot to the likes of the Fieldmice and The Wedding Present. I really liked the simplicity of that stuff. I think now I still have that attitude in my head when I record but maybe I’m aiming for something a little more suited to my years, so I’m back working on my finger picking.

Mark Zonda: How was it that Eardrums Music asked you to be part of its new compilation?

Ant: I have done a few songs for Knut’s compilations over the last couple of years. Usually cover versions. I think Knut heard the track Crying No Tears on my Myspace page and asked if it was available to use as it was perfect for the collaboration theme of his new compilation. I really like his download volumes. He puts an awful lot of work into them yet they are always free.

Mark Zonda: How was collaborating with “Loud Off” different from doing a solo song for “Let it Bee”?

Ant: Well it was a different kettle of fish. The lovely Loud Offs sent me the music as an mp3 and I thought it was beautiful. They wrote it just for me which was very flattering. My main concern was that I didn’t want to spoil it with my vocal. So I tried to respect it and leave all the spaces for the music to flow. I spent an afternoon in the library in Malmö with my mp3 player and my songbook, fitting in some words I had written about my first son. It was tricky as I usually start with a lyric and write music to it or write both the words and music simultaneously. But I think it works really well and it was certainly a pleasure to do. I hope to work some more with Loud Off.
The song for Let It Bee, (He’s The Bee’s Knees, also about my first son) was written and recorded fairly quickly on my own at home. My Honey Records asked for a song that featured bees or honey so I wrote it especially.

Mark Zonda: Recently a friend of mine persuaded me (it was reeeeeeeally easy) to start a record company with her. Which suggestions would you give me?

Ant: Well firstly forget about making any money! I guess just concentrate on releasing the music you love. It’s not about reviews or radio play or record sales is it? That’s not why we do this. It’s about the music, and badges! Make some badges!

Mark Zonda: You got five on that!

Loud Off & Ant – “Crying no Tears”

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