When William the Conqueror Came to Marlborough

By Florence Lee

William the Conqueror might not be a band known by everyone, but quite simply should be. With Ruarri Joseph on vocals and guitar, Naomi Holmes on bass and vocals and Harry Harding on drums and vocals, their heavenly harmonies, beautiful music and captivating performance quite literally conquered all expectations the audience walked in with….

Their newly released album ‘Excuse Me Whilst I Vanish’ was mixed by Barney Barnicott (Arctic Monkeys, Stereophonics, Sam Fender) and recorded on vintage equipment to create a sound unlike other Indie Rock artists. Their idiomatic approach to music is refreshing to your ears, especially when being played in the beautiful venue of St Peters’ Church in Marlborough.

It is obvious to see that all band members are and have been friends for a very long time by the ease in their music and performance, but it also clear to see the individual influence on certain songs and performances. With influence coming from all over the music industry, their albums take on a sound unlike others. Mixing blues, folk, punk and groove music hints to artists like Saint Etienne or Joe Bonamassa. Personally, I think the vocals sounds like a slow Antony Kiedis song.

Thanks to Sound Knowledge, I was lucky enough to be able to interview these talented musicians. Read below:

Why are you called William the Conqueror?

‘A combination of being supremely confident and stupid. Sort of what I was like as a child – so it just to represent that youthful confidence with also youthful idiocy. I was very brave calling us William the Conqueror, but very stupid as well.’

How and why did you come together as a band?

‘That was quite a natural thing that happened. We were all in Cornwall at the same time. We sort of met each other on the Cornish music scene many years ago and started playing together. It was all quite natural. Kind of accidental. Started playing together and then it just became a band – It is the best way.’

How do you go about writing you music and do you have any tips?

‘Just always have a pen in your hand; you don’t know when some idea might come to you. Late at night generally, on my own with nobody interrupting me. Tired and about to go to bed and suddenly an idea will come and I will stay up for the night. Though, they are usually finished in a soundcheck.’

Where does your inspiration come from?

‘All over. No one place. We are like a Frankenstein band. Naomi’s comes from a kind of disco, groove background. Harry more like funk and soul, mine some blues and folk. We try to chuck it all in and see what happens.’

How did each of you get into music?

‘Just listening. I have always just loved it since I was small. You just react to music and have a love for it. It just takes you over and consumes you and before you know it, you are doing this.’

‘I don’t ever remember thinking ‘right I am going to become a musician.’ If you are passionate about it, it just happens.’

If you could play with one band or artist who would it be?

‘Tom Waits – I would love to play with Tom Waits.’

‘I would like to just be friends with a lot of people. I am not sure I would love to play with them as it would be a bit terrifying. Being around that process would be very interesting, you would learn so much. But I would just sit behind them and worry the whole time.’

One for the drummers: What drum sticks do you use? [Editor’s note: essential question from our wonderful new writer, Florence is drummer for local upcoming band Paradigm – so please, shower their insta with follows!]

‘Well, I use 7a’s, because they are lighter and you can then play light. I like 5a’s because they are a bit more like explosion sounds. I don’t ever use nilon tips, I only use wooden tips because I prefer the sound. Anything I like the feel of really. I use Vic Firth a lot. Tonight I used Vater’s.’

Thank you very much Sound Knowledge to let me meet these incredible artists,

Florence.

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