INTERVIEW: Second Language discuss their origins and influences alongside the remix of ‘Swing Time’
Having been a staple of the alternative scene since the 1980s, Second Language recently returned to deliver the 2024 remix of their seminal offering ‘Swing Time’.
Originally released back in 1992, this new version of ‘Swing Time’ sees them return to the fold, and rebrand their classic effort for the modern ear. So we decided to catch up with them to discuss their origins and influences over the years.
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What was the first rock song or artist that made an impact on you?
‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ by the Beatles. I’m not sure if I’d heard the song before they appeared, singing it on The Ed Sullivan Show – but the combination of the ecstatic music and their androgynous look opened up an entire new universe for me. Keep in mind the early 1960s were a very strait-laced time so it felt like a bolt out of the blue.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences within the rock genre?
The two biggest influences on me in the 1960s as a child, would have been the British Invasion artists like the Beatles, Stones, Kinks, and Who, along with all the great Motown artists. But within a couple of years, things expanded exponentially with artists like Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Byrds, Beach Boys and Buffalo Springfield.
Are there any non-rock musicians or genres that have also influenced your music?
Back in the 1960s, radio stations played a much wider variety of music then today, even within the Top 40 format. R&B and Soul were played alongside rock and pop, which, in turn led to a further diversification of the music. While I would never consider myself to be a jazz player, the use of free improvisation in jazz was a huge influence on the way Second Language created material through improvisation – not so much soloing or variations on a theme, but essentially writing songs on the fly. And, of course, I love listening to non-western music – I’m always hearing new music from all over the world that fascinates me.
What is your main inspiration when looking to write new music?
It’s simply the desire to create something out of nothing. If I pick up a guitar and come up with an interesting new chord progression or melody, it feels like I’ve connected to something bigger than me. I also sometimes write lyrics before the music as that’s a whole other challenge. As far as specific subjects, I try as much as possible to allow the music to lead me to an understanding of what the song should be about lyrically, unless I’ve specifically come up with a story or a feeling to address.
What do you enjoy most about performing live and do you have any memorable live performance experiences you’d like to share?
Opening for larger, established bands like Love And Rockets, Howard Devoto & Blancmange was always a particular rush for me and the others in Second Language. It was a challenge to win over a large audience who had never heard or seen you before. Playing to an audience that is familiar with your material is, of course, also a blast but it feels a bit safer. I also have really enjoyed the times we would go off on an improvisation in a live setting. In the 1980s and 1990s, music was less conducive to improvisations than in earlier or later decades, but again, our improvisations were more about pure spontaneous songwriting and less about soloing or self-indulgence.
What has been a particularly rewarding moment in your musical journey so far?
A lot of the material that we have been releasing over the past year has never been heard before and it feels so fulfilling to finally get it out to the world for new people to hear and hopefully relate to. I like to think the vast majority of what we recorded over the years holds up well today. In regards to new material, myself, Jarrett Lesko, and Brian Bielski, bandmates since 1984, walked into a studio in 2023 and recorded an entirely improvised album ‘Never A Plan’, which we will be releasing later this year.
How would you define success as a musician?
I suppose it depends on the individual. For me, while there’s always a desire to achieve financial success and acknowledgement from one’s peers, the most important aspects are artistic expression and staying true to oneself. The fact that I’m able to enjoy most of the music Second Language has recorded was because we stayed true to ourselves as artists and songwriters.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?
I’m not one to give advice per se, apart from creating music you enjoy listening to, music that expresses your feelings and your artistic vision. Take chances, move in new directions, keep reinventing yourself. Improvisation and change have been key factors for me in renewing my love and commitment to music as an art form. Also, give yourself permission to have fun!
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Watch the new video for the 2024 remix of ‘Swing Time’ below.