Features On Wax: Circa Waves

On Wax is a feature on DIY where our favourite bands are invited to get geeky about their vinyl collection. From LPs inherited from parents to charity shop steals, musicians get their chance to wax lyrical about the works that get them to switch on their turntable.

In the first edition, Circa Waves vocalist / guitarist Kieran Shudall discusses his collection and personal favourites. The Liverpool band’s ‘Stuck In My Teeth’ single is out now - check out the single-shot video above Kieran’s choices.

‘I first started buying records because I’d listened to all the ones that I had been given. The cool thing about our generation is our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who have loads of vinyl but don’t want it anymore. So I inherited a bunch or great stuff, some not so great. Nowadays, my favourite places to go and buy records are Probe Records in Liverpool, Rough Trade and eBay.

‘My Favourite record is Joni Mitchell’s ‘Blue’ which is on permanent loan from my mum. It’s an original from the 70s so it’s got a bit of wear and tear and quite a bit of crackle. Some records really suit crackle and some don’t, but this one really does. It’s an immediate time machine back to childhood for me as it was played all the time when I was a kid. It shows a songwriter in their prime delivering some of the most personal and perfect songs written. It’s a masterpiece and something every musician should have in their collection.

‘A friend of mine gave me Arcade Fire’s ‘Funeral’, as he knew I’d been after it for a while. It’s heartbreaking, euphoric, intimate and epic all at once. The four to the floor bass drum that sits through most of the songs gives this whole album a driving feeling and sense of urgency. Then take into account Win Butler’s melodies and lyrics and you feel like each song could explode at any minute. If I ever write a song as good as ‘Wake Up’ I’ll probably call it a day.

‘The Pains of Being Pure at Heart’s self-titled record is something I actually managed to buy myself! It certainly can’t be held in the same regard as my previous two choices but it’s the album that helped me with writing Circa Waves tunes. I was drawn to the simplicity of the songs and the harmonies. If it wasn’t for this album. Circa Waves might never have come about and for that I’m forever in its debt. And the cover art is really cool!’

Taken from the new, free DIY Weekly, available to read online, download on Android via Google Play, or download on iPad now.