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Erland & The Carnival - Erland & The Carnival

Here, to celebrate its release this week, Tong talks us through what's on the album.

Erland And The Carnival's self-titled debut record is a bit of a home-produced affair, but when you've been around and in 'the industry' for as long as Simon Tong, Erland Cooper and David Nock have, it means something a bit different to most debut records: it was recorded at Studio 13, owned by Tong’s The Good, The Bad & The Queen band mate Damon Albarn, and overdubbed in Tong's own attic and Erland’s shed. Here, to celebrate its release this week, Tong talks us through what's on the album, and where the band draw their inspiration.

1. 'Love Is A Killing Thing'
This is based on an old traditional song collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams. We added a chorus and extra verse and covered it with distorted guitars and keyboards. I am sure Ralph would have enjoyed this one with a good pipe in hand.

2. 'My Name Is Carnival'
The only true cover version on the album is of a little known Jackson C Frank song from where we took the band name. Erland contacted Jackson's estate (he died a few years ago) and his trustee was over joyed to hear that someone had covered the song as it was Jackson's favourite.

3. 'You Don't Have To Be Lonely'
A demented gypsy-style-3 minute gem. We played this in a church recently - the Union Chapel - and the scary monk backing vocals really came into their own.

4. 'Trouble In Mind'
One of the first things we did together as a band and we recorded it in a living room. The lyrics are inspired by 'Back To The Old House' by the Smiths and 'My Father's House' by Bruce Springsteen.

5. 'Tramps And Hawkers'
Based on the lyrics of an old traditional song made famous by the Dubliners. The melody in the intro and middle eight is from a random melody that Erland had heard a kebab shop owner singing to himself. Erland remembered it and dashed to the studio to teach it to us before he forgot it.

6. 'The Derby Ram'
A sad and true story of a modern day lynch mob as reported by the local paper.

7. 'Disturbed This Morning'
The lyrics are from a Leonard Cohen poem but the music is all our own. The poem tells of a presumably oldish man regaining his sexual appetite again.

8. 'Was You Ever See'
A strange song about a welsh engine driver from the 19th century. We added the sound of crows and toy 'snoopy bells' to the freak out section to great effect.

9. 'The Sweeter The Girl The Harder I Fall'
People have described this song as Ennio Morricone meets Frank Zappa. An odd mixture but it seems to work.

10. 'Everything Came Too Easy'
Based on a speech by Charles Van Doren of 'Quizshow' fame where he confesses to Congress why he cheated in front of millions of viewers on prime time U.S television.

11. One Morning Fair'
Another traditional folk tune with a modern interpretation with some more church organ and monks in attendance.

12. 'Gentle Gwen'
We tried to recreate an 'Ethiopiques' sounding keyboard part to add to the welsh lyrics and pounding drums. Another Carnival melange from all corners of the globe.

13. 'The Echoing Green'
Musically inspired in part by "any umbrella, any umbrella..." from our love of The Singing Detective soundtrack.

'Erland & The Carnival' is out this week through Full Time Hobby / Static Caravan. Pick it up here.