With his song at the top of VH1’s Countdown, I figured it would make perfect sense to interview a musician I have quickly become fond of (and no, not like that) Aqualung, as his debut album “Strange & Beautiful” first dominated in Europe and is now tops in the U.S. of A.If you haven’t heard the album, this is definitely one to check out. And, if you jump on the bandwagon now, you won’t be too far behind when this true musician takes off and dominates worldwide. Sweet.
What’s up man, how’s life treating you?
(Laughs) Well, you know, I’m just lying in this strange little world of a tour bus.
What have you been doing today?
Well, I will tell you exactly what I have been up to today. I woke up and was a bit confused about where I was. I got out of my bunk and made some tea and I drank it. Ah, and then I put on my clothes and then you rang me.
It’s been a great morning, huh? Especially since I rang you (laughs).
It’s a been a heck of a morning.
You should just take a day off. Heck, you’re Aqualung and you are tearing up the radio and VH1 (laughs).
(Laughs) Maybe before we go on, you can explain to everyone that I was a bit tired when you rang me (laughs).
I apologize. Blame it on me and everything will be OK.
OK. Well thank God for that.
OK, well I have to say your album (bleepin’) rocks. That’s all I have to say.
OK. Thank you that’s very kind.
You must feel the same way, don’t you?
Um, well, kind of, but I would never say that it (bleepin’) rocks, but occasionally I will say it’s pretty good.
(Laughs)
The whole point of making a record is that you make it in the strongest way and a way in which you want it to sound. It’s very cool that people seem to like it.
I think everyone is falling in love with your album. America, my friend, loves you.
(Laughs) That’s a bit terrifying. Can we just say cheers to serving individuals in America. If America is forced to love me, imagine meeting the in-laws (laughs).
(Laughs) Yeah, you don’t want to meet them.
(Laughs) Oh, no.
How have the ladies been on the road?
The ladies. Um, there are a lot of them (laughs). This seems to be a type of music that attracts women, which is nice and it has always been this way. You do see a lot of women. And, you see a lot of women who have dragged along a guy with them (laughs).
Hey, I like it and I’m a guy.
Hey, you like it. I didn’t realize you were a guy.
(Laughs) Funny.
(Laughs) You are a fine example of a guy liking my music. There you go.
I’m trying to turn women onto you. I’m letting people listen to your album. I’m like, check him out. And then they are like, ‘Oh my God, he’s awesome.’ And there lies the problem. I am turning girls onto you and not me. That hurts my ego.
There is one line I hear from guys at my shows all the time. They are like, ‘I think my girlfriend likes you more than she likes me.’ (Laughs) That’s a bit worrisome because I am going to get myself into some type of altercation.
(Laughs) You’re OK with the girlfriends liking you as long as the boyfriend can’t touch you.
I mean, to be quite honest, I don’t want anyone to touch me whether they are boys or girls. They need to all keep their hands to themselves.
Wow. I think you are one of the only people in the world who can say that with a straight face.
Well, you know, I am thoroughly spoken for.
Wow. You let me bug you this much about girls without even letting me know you are taken? OK, now I have to ask the question, is it tough being on the road with so many females wanting to, um, touch you (laughs)?
Not really. It’s been funny on occasion. I would say American women are really forward, but, it’s something you get used to. It’s just not my thing.
You definitely close the door right away.
Yes, of course. Even though there is some sort of satisfaction in flirtation, and even flirtation makes you cross the line, I just try to avoid it completely.
I can definitely respect that. I am sure the readers are sick of me trying to pawn off this deal, but we could work out some sort of partnership where I come to your shows, you attract the girls, and then you say that this is your friend Nick.
Yeah. I’m fronting the operation but he’s the guy who will be doing all the work (laughs).
Exactly. It’s kind of like a Milli Vanilli situation where you are singing the songs and I am just up there looking pretty for you.
(Laughs) Imagine that (laughs). I think that would be a very odd situation. Tell you what, I will try to throw you my pea scraps.
Hey, man, I will take whatever I can get.
(Laughs)
