Interview with Paolo

Interview by Lady Copthorne

Paolo, one half of the up and coming pop duo The Smoking Jackets approaches my table in the Chester branch of a well-known coffee chain with a look of distaste. I wonder if it is my choice in clothing. The Smoking Jackets have a reputation for sartorial elegance and unlike normal interviews I did make more of an effort before I left the house. It is true that my burlesque uniform of red and white polka dots pales in comparison to his almost Edwardian paisley and herringbone. My fears are allayed however as I later find out his displeasure is a result of the lack of choice in tea behind the counter. After a brief attack on the surge in coffee-themed outlets and a nostalgic notion that tearooms should be more prominent in society we decide to focus on The Smoking Jackets.

Despite not having any songs available for the public to hear, there is a dedicated online following. You are covering old songs so what do you think is the appeal of The Smoking Jackets?

I think there is a lack of intelligence among the current crop of bands. Weaknesses have been covered up through production for years and the public are tired of this. Everything sounds the same, and even those supposedly traditional guitar bands are inferior to those who influenced them. While we are not currently focusing on writing our own material, we are reminding people of the past by replicating the song, not the style. We thoroughly deplore the modern and are not surprised to see other people feel the same. What we offer conceptually is not new. Mark Ronson has proved successful with covers, but again he is masked in production. There is no personality there.

What covers are you hoping to record?

We have daily arguments between meals as to what we will take on. Initially we thought we’d focus on the 1980’s but that seems to be the objective of every act at the moment. We have therefore opened ourselves up and there are no limits.

In what style will you record these covers?

Again, there are no limits. We have discussed a capella, lounge jazz, synth pop. I am not going to reveal too much but I can whet the appetite by saying that we did a breathy, ethereal version of Duran Duran’s ‘Planet Earth’ as an experiment. This will probably not make the album.

I think the question all fans want to ask is ‘when can we hear some of your music?’

We haven’t been lazy. There have been some rumours of leaked mp3’s, of Fifi’s partying and whether we are focusing on image rather than music. However, when the music is available that will put pay to this hearsay. In answer to your question, I imagine there will be music on our myspace by the end of August.

Introduction

Good afternoon to you.

We are The Smoking Jackets, a pop duo from a rural location that we would prefer not to name at this stage.

You can find out more about us on our myspace page - www.myspace.com/thesmokingjackets

We will update you whether fan, admirer, journalist or freak through this site.

Tally ho

TSJ
xxx