Lord Auch: Hallucinations Are Quite Normal
Lord Auch's Si McCabe has turned the band's latest EP into a screenplay for a short film...
Posted 9th October 2009, 5:15pm in Interviews, by Guy Purssell
Lord Auch's Si McCabe has turned the band's latest EP into a screenplay for a short film, entitled '... To The Shithouse', which he's currently working on with James Willis. Here, he tells Guy Purssell about frustration, the band's new album, and how the film's main character's hallucinations are quite normal, really.Hey Si, how's things?
Very good, thank you.
So, you've written a short film: what prompted you to write '...To The Shithouse'?
When I lived in Leeds a couple of years ago I wrote a play called 'Adult Books' which was accompanied by an instrumental track called 'Drunkards Rigadoon'. I hadn't touched it in two years but it was always on my mind. After deciding that our next release was to be an EP I wanted a narrative that all the tracks could relate to. I wrote three new songs and took the lyrical content from the play then got James involved to work with me on turning the play into screenplay.
The central character being a frustrated writer struggling with his second novel sounds as though it could be thinly-disguised autobiographical: is it?
The whole thing is thinly veiled to be honest. I'm very rarely satisfied with my artistic output. In fact the only time I can remember recently was the moment we'd finished mixing the EP. And it doesn't last long before frustration creeps back in.
Depression appears to play a pretty huge role in the narrative, is that a topic you work well with, do you think?
It's the point where depression meets delirium that I'm interested in. It gets to a point where something must happen so it's really exciting to write about.
The treatment all sounds a bit off-the-wall - a dancing foetus! - were you trying to make it as surreal as possible? Or will it seem less odd on film?
It sounds strange but I think it will look very natural on film. The guy supplements his alcohol diet with a cocktail of drugs so the constant vacillating between reality and his hallucinations are quite normal.
To what extent do you and James Willis feed ideas off each other in the pursuit of improving the film? Do you each tackle different aspects of the creation process, or is the whole thing a joint effort?
The script is almost unrecognisable since getting James involved. It's the same principle as song writing. Once you have the core idea and value you can't be too precious with it, you have to constantly challenge yourself to achieve the best end product. The story/message doesn't change. At the end of the day I'd basically written a short story and we wanted something visual. James has been great at evolving the project into a reality.
Have you cast anyone in any of the roles yet? When does filming start?
Filming starts in November. We are currently casting but the only confirmed actor is the female lead Linda, which will be played by Zoe Grisedale.
Does the film complement where you're taking the music you make under Lord Auch? Will your next album be as gloomy as the film's accompanying EP?
The film gave the EP a direction in terms of a narrative. That really helped with the recording, we had visual aids and mood boards for the trumpeteer and everything was focused towards the emotions of the main characters. We'll definitely approach the album with similar dedication to each track. It was just nice to make a record where you didn't have to think about a single or the radio. The album will have a similar feel but will be decorated in parts with a little more optimism, even if it's ironic optimism.
Is this project the first of many films you'd like to make, or will it be a one-off?
I'm planning another slightly longer film which I've started writing. I won't be dedicating a decent amount of time to it until next summer though. I've really enjoyed working on this one but as soon as we've finished all my attention is on the album so I'll wait a while before embarking on another.
And finally: you must be pretty busy with the band and film - what else do you do and how do you find time for it?
Making soup mostly. Me and Liam have a kind of soup-off. I think I've got him beat with my spiced red lentil and carrot though!
Lord Auch's '...To The Shithouse' EP will be released through Young & Lost on 19th October. Click here for more information.
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