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In Conversation

04 December 2008 01:10 BST

Fretwell: I'm chuffed to play

Ahead of the release of his superb new single Now, inthenews.co.uk talks to acclaimed singer/songwriter Stephen Fretwell.

The Scunthorpe singer's second album Man on the Roof emerged to a stunning critical reception in September, with four-star reviews across the board and with a spot at the XFM Manchester Winter Wonderland show and some stellar guest appearances on the album, Fretwell's stock is rising.

inthenews.co.uk's Lewis Bazley caught up with Stephen before he embarks on a short UK tour.

An obvious question to get out of the way first - is it annoying to be asked if you're Scunthorpe's greatest musician?

Well, what do you say to that? It's a small town. It's a nice place, but I moved away when I was 17, so it's nearly a decade since I left. It's not annoying though, nobody asks it that much. It's flattering as well, I suppose.

But you've been in Manchester for a while now, haven't you? Has that changed your writing style do you think?

It's pretty much my home now. I started writing when I moved here and it's definitely been an influence on the way the record sounds. Everyone's into music here so it definitely plays a part.

How did you enjoying playing the XFM Manchester Winter Wonderland show over Christmas?

Yeah, that was quite nice, you only had to do three songs, so I just got a cab from my flat and played.

Did you stay for the Ting Tings and the Charlatans?

The Tings Tings were on when I arrived and I watched a bit of them and the Courteneers but I've seen the Charlatans loads of times, so I'd left by then.

Bob Dylan's a name mentioned a lot by critics in connection with your music, but that definitely comes across on Now, more than anything else on Man on the Roof. Has his work been a big influence?

I don't know how big an influence he is, he's always the one that gets bandied around, but there's loads of others too. With Now… you know the John Lennon album, Plastic Ono Band? I was trying to write something that sounded like what he'd done on that. So it's a bit of a schmoozy ballad, I suppose.

You also moved to New York while making the new album - does living in such a musical city play a part when you're writing and recording?

Yeah, I lived there for a while and then when the record was done, the label sort of said 'Alright, you've got to come and live back in England for a bit'. But it was a massive influence on the record too, it was a really good time in my life.

Smashing Pumpkins legend James Iha and renowned producer Eli Janney both feature on the new record - how did that happen?

I'd met them through friends and hung out with them a bit, and just asked if they wanted to play on the record. It's always really weird though, playing with people of that calibre.

You admitted you were shocked by the critical reaction to debut album Magpie, so presumably the reception of Man on the Roof was even more satisfying?

Yeah, it's always surprising. I never really dip into that side of things too much but what does come through is really flattering. It's good though, normally people's second albums get slagged off.

Would it be fair to say that you're not especially keen on selling the music and would rather just let your songs do the talking?

Yeah, I've never been very good at self-promotion, I'm just more interested in playing. I'm just really chuffed that I've got a record deal and an album out and that people want to listen to my stuff

It's been a while since you've finished Man on the Roof though, hasn't it?

It's a while, yeah, I think it was the end of 2006.

So are you working on a new album now?

Yeah, I've basically finished writing it and I'm looking at places to record it. I'd like to record it in Manchester, but we'll see.

Is it strange doing promotion for what is comparatively an old record? Do you still remember what kind of place you were in when you wrote the songs?

It's a funny one, maybe you do grow out of it. I mean, I finish it, hand it to the label and they choose when they're going to release it or whatever. So by this time I never really understand what the songs are about anymore.

So you don't choose the singles?

No the label does, I just hand it in!

You've got the shows in London and Manchester coming up at the end of the month, but are you planning a bigger tour?

I'd like to, but I don't know when it'll be planned for or if anyone's booked anything yet. I booked the two shows at the Night & Day in Manchester through a mate, because I used to work there and then the label said I should play a couple in London as well. I don't expect anyone will turn up though, everyone's always skint in January, aren't they? [laughs]

Now is released on Monday January 14th.

Click here to watch the short film accompanying Stephen Fretwell's Can This Be.

Check out Stephen Fretwell's January tour dates below:
Wednesday January 16th - Night & Day Cafe, Manchester
Monday January 21st - The Luminaire, London
Friday January 25th - The Limelight, Belfast
Saturday January 26th - The Sugar Club, Dublin
Monday January 28th - The Troubadour, London
Wednesday January 30th - Night & Day Cafe, Manchester