The Candle Thieves Interview: SXSW 2010

Scott McEwan, one half of duo the Candle Thieves, along with 'The Glock' are about to head to SXSW, armed with new single 'We're All Going to Die (Have Fun)' and lots of practice playing weird and wonderful places like ice cream parlours (see below), boats and fans' kitchens. The pair from Peterborough -- who are a recent Spinner Band of the Week -- are currently recording their debut album, which no doubt will be as whimsical and marauding as their previous singles have been, and filled to the brim with the joyful child-like sounds of Casio keyboards and glockenspiels. Singer Scott took a brief break in the studio to speak to Spinner ahead of their trip to Texas.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Happy songs with sad undertones.

How did your band form?

We met each other in college, lost touch for a few years and then met randomly again at one of my solo gigs. He said he really liked the stuff, and said if I ever wanted anyone to help play stuff 'let me know.' It started from there really.

What are your musical influences?

We're both big fans of Eels. People like Josh Ritter. The Glock goes backwards -- Dylan and stuff like that. I grew up on a lot of punk stuff, so it's quite varied between the two of us.

How did you come up with your band name?

I went round Glock's house and he had loads of candles in his room and I asked him how he got them. There was so many it was a bit weird. He used to play for money in a wedding band, so basically he used to steal candles from people's weddings. He said, 'yeah, I'm a bit of a candle thief.'

What's your biggest vice?

Easily, pizza. We're not that rock 'n' roll. We literally just obsessed with pizza. I'm a big fan of pepperoni and ham. Literally I'll eat anything. I'll say food in general is probably my biggest vice.

What's in your festival survival kit?

A pillow. Some pizza, I don't how you'd get that in a festival kit! A toothbrush and toothpaste.

What are your musical guilty pleasures?

We're a pop band, so we like pop songs as well. Guilty pleasures is what I call going-to-the-airport-on-holiday-with-your-parents music. When you're trapped in the car with them, like Lionel Richie, Tracy Chapman and Fleetwood Mac. I still love all that, those memories.

Beatles or Stones?

Beatles. Better songs. I just think they're better songs.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced whilst on tour?

The strangest thing I guess was when we played gigs in people's houses. The weirdest thing was probably when we played in an Oxford ice cream shop, and we got paid with ice cream. Mine was a mixture of chocolate ice cream and some other flavours, it was pretty simple but it was good!