Lost in the Manor catch up with the very talented travelling musician Stuart O'Connor
Hey Stuart, for all of the people reading, give us a brief summary on who Stuart O'Connor is....
I'm someone who's been touring for the best part of 7 years now. I've put out 4 solo albums on my little label and have played 1500 shows in that time to keep the ship afloat. Prior to that I've released an album as a part of Prog Rock group 'My Pet Junkie' who have toured sporadically since 1998
So having been involved in bands, what drew you to playing solo with a loop pedal which has now become your trade mark?
I love playing solo and the use of a loop pedal has felt at times essential to help add depth and variety to my one man touring show. That said I play with other musicians every chance I get. I have a wonderful band who play on the albums and live when we can. We've also been able to utilise the loop station into the band set with all 5 of us looping parts into one mic.
You travel all over the world non stop with your music. Which would you say is your favourite place?
New Zealand is probably on top. It's just mind bogglingly beautiful. The long drives between shows is definitely no chore.
What was your favourite food when on tour and do you have a fav now after travelling so much around?
Ramen without a doubt. I became hooked and would finish many nights with a bowl. I even went to the Ramen Museum in Yokohama.
Whats the most random gig you have done so far?
Sometimes it feels like every gig out-randoms the next. It's funny how once you've been on the road a little while the random kinda seems like the norm. I played at a gallery space in Bangkok. It was pitch black and there was a dancing girl covered in luminous paint. That felt pretty random.
What's next for Stuart O'Connor?
France, Holland, Germany & Poland for a month followed by the UK for another month. Then an Italy tour in November. There's also talk of an arts centre tour (With Matt Stevens) back in the UK early 2014.