Where to begin with the inestimable William D Drake? Pianist, composer, singer/songwriter, muse and all-round good egg, Mr Drake has been a stalwart proponent of the wonky, left field and the beautiful for many years. Perhaps best known for his stint in what many consider to be the ‘classic’ iteration of Cardiacs – during which time he co-wrote numerous Cardiacs tunes – Mr Drake has since ploughed his own idiosyncratic furrow with bands such as The Sea Nymphs, Lake of Puppies and North Sea Radio Orchestra, as well as his own solo career.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard your stuff before?
I have no idea, how would you describe it?! Bill music?
Who are you listening to a lot at the moment?
I’m listening to ‘Hiraeth’ by Ott. An extraordinarily generous album, bursting with joy and inspiration. The man is a phenomenon. He is currently mixing my album. [Also note a couple of familiar names on the credits for track 9!]
Is there anything in your playlist that might surprise people who know your stuff?
Not fashionable to say this, but I occasionally binge on Morrisey. In his song ‘The Teachers are afraid of the Pupils’, the track begins with a loop of Shostakovich’s 5th symphony accompanied by a dodgy old drum machine. Then his vitriolic vocals come in. Cranky as fuck. Love him or hate him, he’s never bland. ‘Vauxhall and I’ is my favourite album of his.
Any guilty pleasures? (I’ll defend Sugababes and The Wombles until I’m blue in the face)
The Carpenters.
What is it about keyboard instruments that rings your chimes? Do you play anything else?
I’ve never lost interest in keyboards, particularly acoustic ones like the harmonium, harpsichord, dulcitone, celeste and piano. The sound of them still makes my ears prick up.
Your latest tune uses, I understand, a 18th Century poem for the lyric. How did this come about?
It has been said that I plunder charity shops for poetry books – which is true – the older and more worn-out the better. ‘The Flickering Shade’ poem was in a compilation called ‘The Book of Delights’. There was a fine crop in there.
Did you have the melody/song idea before you put the poem to it or did the poem come first?
The poem came first. I set it 20 years ago, so it’s nice for it to see the light of day at long last.
Is this a typical technique for you? Lyrics then music, or music then lyrics? Could you share your typical workflow?
At the moment it’s lyrics then music, but it can be the other way round too.
What have the past few years been like for you as a musician?
I’ve been setting a large number of poems to music. I’ve also written enough piano pieces to fill an album. And I’ve been recording two new albums (one rock/pop and other more ‘chamber’), both of which will be released next year. Very happy with the results!
Find out more about William D Drake:
https://william-d-drake.bandcamp.com
https://williamddrake.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/williamddrakefriends
https://x.com/WilliamDDrake
William D Drake plays a solo piano set for Buds & Spawn on Friday 1st November 2024 at The Dorothy Pax, alongside a DJ set from Regal Worm.
Tickets are £12 (£6 concessions) and available here:
https://budsandspawn.nuwebgroup.com/