Local Talent: Athletes In Paris

When last Monday lunchtime at St Peter’s Campus I heard a faint strumming of guitars, little did I know that I’d stumble upon a band such as Athletes In Paris.

To define their music by reeling of a list of “sounds like…” is simply not achievable and their songs are catchy whether performed acoustic or with the full effects used by the band, as I found out having heard them play both at campus and at their gig days at Pure (highlights of the night were my personal favourite song “Peaches” and Matt offering to reveal what exactly was under Chris’ kilt).

I chatted with lead singer and song writer Matt Robson to find out more about the band and their hard to describe sound,something which even he struggles to do.

So, how did the band come about?

Well up until last summer I was in a band called djangleabra with Chris and Joakim (fellow Athletes In Paris members). There was a bit of a fallout within the band so we split and Chris, Joakim and I formed Athletes In Paris with David and Ross that same summer.

Where does your name come from?

My dad used to be in a few bands in the 80s and we actually took both of the names of his old bands when putting together djangleabra and Athletes In Paris, so technically I stole my dad’s old band names. I chose to use Athletes In Paris because it was something interesting and you can use it in certain ways, gimmicks wise, to get interest in the band.

What influences you when writing songs?

I find this one kind of difficult to answer actually. I’ve been writing songs since I was fourteen years old and when I sit down to write a song I play something on my guitar and if I like it then I stick with it until it becomes a song. Obviously I do get a little bit of influence from other artists. I was listening to some John Mayer the other day whilst writing and when I was done it sounded like something he could have come up with.

How would you describe the band to someone who’d never heard you play before?

Hmm, this is another difficult one. Because I wouldn’t say we’re influenced by groups in a major way, I can’t reel off groups such as the Kings of Leon or Oasis and say yeah we’re like them because we’re not. I guess I’d say we’re pretty unique with our sound. I’d think we’re more American sounding than British. Our sound is pretty groovy, we use disco beats and I think that hard to define sound we have as a group is because we use guitar delay so it gives an ambient edge people may not be used to.

What are your influences?

Well I already mentioned John Mayer. I listen to him a lot at the moment. I’m also a huge fan of Stevie Wonder, Sting both as a solo artist and when he was in the Police. I like Scott Matthews. Incubus are one of my favourite bands and i listen to quite a bit of hip hop,soul, and r’n'b music as well. Artists of the latter genre I like are Rasheed, Maxwell and Deangelo. Whilst I wouldn’t say I attempt to recreate their sounds I am influenced by their music when I write songs.

What was the first record you ever bought?

R Kelly - I Believe I Can Fly. I’m gonna sound right sad now aren’t I? The first record I ever got was a Sting album called Dream of the Blue Turtles back in 1990. That’s been my favourite album ever. I still listen to it everyday.

What was the worst record you ever bought?

This would be a lot easier if I had my CD collection out in front of me. I could just tell you straight out then. Let me think…I’d have to say it was a Backstreet Boys album *pauses* I’m losing a lot of credibility here aren’t I?

Well you can make it up with your answer to this next question.If you were organising a gig, which 5 acts, past or present, would headline it?

Sting, Jeff Buckley, Incubus, Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder. I’ve no idea how much the tickets would cost but that would be a mega day!

Where would you like the band to be in ten years time?

I’m not sure where I want myself to be in ten years time! I’d say I want us to be successful. I don’t know where that would be though. Yeah,I’d like us to be successful wherever it takes us.

What song have you heard and though “damn, I wish I’d written that!”

Quite a lot to be honest. Most recently, and I only heard this one the other day actually,would be ‘White Diamond’ by Friendly Fires.

For more information on Athletes In Paris check out their Myspace or Facebook pages.