Otherish has a core of four, an ancient quorum. Three of the group, brothers Mark and Paul Bradley, and neighbor Francis Kane, were born in the same house in Belfast.
Winchester-raised song sorcerer George Claridge completes the quorum. 2021 marks over 30 years of partnership, on and off, between these 4 willful and gentle people. Belfast and Winchester bred but made in Bristol. Otherish first appeared in public as the session musicians and producers of ‘Superheroes’, the now-classic Banksy- supported lockdown single by The New Space Finders. On the group’s debut album, the core is augmented by other musical seers from Belfast and Bristol.
The huge backstory of Otherish’s musical hinterland was a good 10-to-20 years ahead of its time (in 1997 me was cited by Radiohead as a key artistic influence: a typically posthumous accolade even then). Perhaps now, in the third decade of the 21st century, Otherish’s musical mind may be received by audiences that are ready for it, as many were self-evidently not when the hook-laden, deceptively complex-yet-simple songs of me were sent out in the early ‘90s.
Otherish’s sound is a new intercultural axis. Experience, yes: whisper it, age gifts powers to artists, and 2021 must be the least awkward year in pop music history for “mature” artists to gestate and publish their hard-won truths. The mission: no sanctimony, but a shard of truth, and unflinching eyes, on this passing show.
What is the most useless talent you have?
Speaking in tongues
You are a new addition to a crayon box. What color would you be and why?
Iridescent, because unavoidably so
If you could ask your future self-one question, what would it be?
“Are we there yet?”
If you could learn any language fluently, what would it be?
Irish (Gaelige)
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
“It’s ok really. Perhaps don’t panic.”
What first got you into music?
James Bond films, my mother’s singing voice
Who inspired you to make music?
Everything
In your opinion, how do artists in this industry stay on top of the game when faced with so much competition? What’s the secret to making yourself noticed?
Don’t know hope, faith, rebellion
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
DON’T GIVE UP
What’s next for you?
Making music to make strangers feel things powerfully.
How would you describe your music?
Sympathetic-Contrary
Who are your top two favorite artists of all time? Why those artists?
Barbara Smandler & Cyril Greenwood. Their huge influence in the years 2028-2058 is immeasurable.
What does your music say about you?
That I am alive, frail, vain, beautiful, ignorant, hope filled