Interview with PRINCE BISHOP

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

 Music was always around when I was a kid.  My folks listened to all sorts - classic rock, pop, classical - and I absorbed all of it.  I genuinely cannot imagine a life without music but in general I like creating and making stuff, so if I wasn't doing music I’d probably do more joinery or carpentry.

 What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I am currently restoring and maintaining an old house where we live in the countryside in County Durham in England.  A bulk of the restoration took place during the recording of the album, which also largely happened at the house.  It’s about 200 years old and has quite a lot of original features which I am trying to bring back to their former glory.

 How long has your band been around?

In a lot of ways we are just starting up.  We recorded the album straight off the bat - but it took longer to finish than expected.  We’ve kinda done things backwards but recording this album was something we wanted to do.

 Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

I’m from a small village in County Durham and that most certainly influenced my worldview and music.  Growing up it was quite a deprived area and pretty inward facing.  I couldn’t wait to leave once I was old enough to explore the world, but looking back I have fonder memories of my home town.  It was very picturesque located as it is in the beautiful North of England countryside, and that beauty and grandeur is wilstful and certainly influenced my songwriting.

 How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

In medieval times the Prince Bishops used to rule County Durham and Northumberland.  There is a lot of history still associated with them in the area.  It felt like a good choice.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

Many over the years in various bands.  I played a few times with Josh T Pearson of Lift to Experience, which was always great.

 What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

In the North East you can’t look past The Cluny or Trillians.  It would be great to play Glastonbury.

 If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Floyd, Zeppelin - the greats.  I’d add Soundgarden and Jeff Buckley into that mix.

 What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Be yourself, you can’t be anyone else.

 If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

I believe that everything happens for a reason so I’d be loath to change anything.  Worry less, maybe?

 Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

They are all really personal and I’m very proud of all of them.  The title track of the album All is Due I am particularly happy with though.  

 Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

We have two or three in our set which we tend to jam out at length, those are the most fun to play because they never sound the same twice, which can be pretty exciting.  

 What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

I’m influenced by all sorts of things, what I see, read or feel - mostly things I have learned.  Musically, I like to try different things.  I’ll never stop writing and creating.  

 What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

I’m an optimist so the stuff is generally positive whilst being introspective.  I like to sing about the stuff I have learned, sort of like mantras.

 Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

Yeah but we tend to work through stuff.

 What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Our debut album All is Due is coming out in November.  Can’t wait for people to hear it.  It’s an album that takes the listeners on a musical journey, no two songs are alike - lots of dynamic, ups and downs.  Feels great that it is finally coming out. Keep in touch via https://twitter.com/bishops_prince &  https://www.facebook.com/princebishopsmusic