Michelle Dee (@msmichdee) interviews Leon from up and coming Hull band, Mammal Hum …
Michelle: What is the current Mammal Hum line up and what do they play in the band?
Leon: The live line up is Nick (Cammack) on guitar, Leon (Welburn) on Bass, Sarah (Mole) on keys and Simon (Andrew) on drums. We do often swap instruments when playing acoustically and recording, oh and we are all vocalists. No front person as such in Mammal Hum.
Michelle: What’s the story behind the name Mammal Hum?
Leon: Quite simply a group of mammals making harmonies. A collective hum.
Michelle: How did it feel getting the call from Cerys Matthews to go do a live BBC session?
Leon: We kept our expectations of the album pretty low. We certainly didn’t expect any BBC6 Music airplay, but ended up getting two album tracks played over a few weeks. This was a nice feeling. So then a few weeks later an e-mail came through about the session, so yeah it was really pleasing and, if I’m being honest, a little bit surreal!
Michelle: You’ve had a few weeks since the BBC6 session with Cerys what has the response been like? Have you had some gig offers, or more people checking out the tunes? What’s been going on off the back of the radio exposure?
Leon: The response to the session was excellent. Apart from lovely feedback from friends, we had a lot from e-mails and tweets to the show and our own social media. I think Cerys shows a genuine appreciation of eclectic and obscure bands and musicians from a vast array of genres. It’s mirrored by her audience’s enthusiasm. We did seem to have lots of people checking the album out, and again, feedback was great.
I think we were asked to play in Cardiff, Sheffield, Leeds and London within a few hours, too. Only thing is, we all a bit middle-aged now, with more responsibility. Can’t just pack up and go on a nationwide tour now. Ha!
Michelle: The night before the radio session you played a gig in London? Where was that and how was the gig – what was the Londoners response to a psych-folk band from Hull playing in the capital?
Leon: We played The Boogaloo in Highgate. We decided to have a crack at our acoustic set, which we are enjoying a lot. It does work at a venue like Boogaloo. The gig was really good. I think people were really appreciative actually. I don’t think it really matters where you come from. If people have heard of you, and like what they hear, then they will come to your gig on merit.
Michelle: How important is it for bands to play outside of their hometown?
Leon: I think if you are intending to make a real go of it, then yes, play outside your hometown frequently. Take Hull for example. It’s always nice to do the odd gig here and there, but it can be overdone. For a band like us, we found we only develop a hardcore set of followers, so out of town works for us.
Michelle: Since the release of the album, ‘What’s Behind Us Is Not Important’ what has the response been locally and nationally? You’ve had some airplay on BBC6 and BBC Introducing any other stations spun a Mammal tune?
Leon: Frank Skinner played us three times on his show on Absolute Radio. We also had a couple of spins on XFM too.
Michelle: You won an online poll to be included on an internet radio station’s playlist tell me how that came about?
Leon: We sent the track ‘I Am A Car’ to Amazing Radio’s ‘Audition’ show, to coincide with its release on May 13th. We just decided to see if it would get any interest, and luckily, it did. As a result, the single is now on the station’s playlist.
Michelle: I’ve heard that your music has been used on Sky Sports at football matches is that right? Tell me more.
Leon: Not so much football matches. Sky Sports have a Saturday Morning show called ‘Soccer AM’. Each week the best goals from each division are played back, accompanied by a band track. We were one of the featured bands a few weeks back alongside The Joy Formidable. Again, slightly bizarre.
Michelle: Are there plans to promote the music in other ways?
Leon: More radio and TV airplay. Hopefully a crack at a TV ad.
Michelle: Tell me more about the festival in Lincolnshire in the Summer that Mammal Hum are playing – can people still get tickets?
Leon: So we are playing The Hidden Hill Festival, alongside artists such as Andy Wetherall and Public Service Broadcasting. It’s happening between June 21st-23rd, and yes, tickets are available from The Hidden Hill Festival website. I urge you all to go. It looks great!!!
Michelle: Recently you have been busy working on the video for the popular track ‘I am a Car’, the last video ‘Man on Fire’ featured psychedelic 2d cartoon animations – what is the story behind the new video, where was it shot, who made it, what was the inspiration for it?
Leon: The new video was shot in a garage with a huge backdrop to cover the walls. We then created a simple band set up, borrowed some giant paper-mache heads to wear and went from there. Oh and we couldn’t resist throwing some car animations in there. Simon still owns a number of old Matchbox cars, alongside many other fascinating things he managed to hoard from being a child. (enough for at least another two videos!). Local film-maker Matt Molson came down to record the footage, and did a great job. We then edited the footage at my house.
Michelle: You are signed to the label Mollusc Records how important was that decision in getting you to where you are now.
Leon: Very important. Mollusc are well-known to 6Music, with label-mates Lymes and Rusty Bear having received airplay too. They are also savvy with the industry itself, and gave us advice. It’s been a bit of a learning curve at times but yeah, they’ve been a big help.
Michelle: What is next in the unfolding Mammal Hum story?
Leon: Some gigs over the summer, then start work on album two. I think it will be a bit more laid back and gentler than the first. We are just getting songs together at the moment. Possible release next year fingers crossed…..
Michelle: What gigs have you got booked and would like to mention here?
Leon: Apart from Hidden Hill Festival, we have several Hull gigs planned. Transmission at Tofts on May 10th, Stripped at The Wellington Inn on May 16th and Cottingham Springboard Festival on May 24th
Michelle: Have you a message for all your Mammal fans out there?
Leon: Just keep listening to our humming please, and thanks to all the people who come to the gigs and listen to the music. A big kiss from us all!!
Listen to Mammal Hum on Soundcloud