Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube Tiktok Linkedin
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Registration
  • Login
Menu
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Registration
  • Login
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Strawberry Field
    • Tres Liverpool
    • Relish Liverpool
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • iStay Liverpool
    • Boudoir Hotel Liverpool
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
  • LISTEN
    • RADIO
    • PODCASTS
  • DIRECTORY
Menu
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Strawberry Field
    • Tres Liverpool
    • Relish Liverpool
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • iStay Liverpool
    • Boudoir Hotel Liverpool
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
  • LISTEN
    • RADIO
    • PODCASTS
  • DIRECTORY
Search
Close

Matthew Jacobson interviews Sean Butler from The Pelican Band

April 25, 2022
|
By Matthew Jacobson
  • HOME
  • Interviews
  • Matthew Jacobson interviews Sean Butler from The Pelican Band

Explore Liverpool music writer Matthew Jacobson interviews Sean Butler from The Pelican Band ahead of gig at The Everyman.

The younger years – what music did you listen to and become interested in?

My dad brought me the Neil Young box set ‘Weld’ for my tenth birthday from Bold Street and I cried as I wanted something else like a laser tag set, but then I borrowed my uncle’s acoustic guitar. It had the letter ‘A’ masking taped to the back of it. I wondered whether it stood for anarchist but I think it meant ‘Alan’. After that I learned the Neil Young songs from that set, the Beatles songbook, Dylan 3 chord songbook etc. I also used to play a two and a half hour Oasis set in my bedroom each night alone, B-sides, everything. Then I discovered things like Sparklehorse. Spiritualized and Jeff Buckley so learned those kinds of things too. I guess they’re all in the mix somewhere in my mind. Country I got to a little bit later via Gram. 

And did you go to many local gigs and do you recall any that stand out?

From the age of 14 I played in Liverpool. I got my first amp from Danny Roberts (Sixteen Tonnes) who worked at Cranes on Hanover and didn’t stop playing shows until maybe 19. Lot of shows for Tony at Zanzibar, The Picket and Heebiejeebies so played alongside alongside so many local bands. All just widening the mind each time.. 

Matthew Jacobson interviews Sean Butler from The Pelican Band

How did the band form, and what was the connection that brought you together?

Myself and Andy met via Phil Bridges (mind map) at football and have a similar taste in music so we would listen to similar stuff at parties then I decided I was going to make a solo album (another on a long list of things that never happened) and wanted him to play bass. Then we just started playing together and realised that our voices met each other gently so we decided to write some things specifically for the two of us that highlighted this two part bopsidy a bit more. We started just practising at weird Wirral open mic and folk nights. One time we got locked in at New Brighton with lots of older, sea shanty folks and had to escape as it was so intense. We were both pretty nervous. The guys we play with are all friends, I find that this is most important now. We need to like each other to want to spend time in a room together so those that play along with us also play along with us in real life outside of music. 

How do you write, together or individually?

Kind of a mixture, some songs start with Andy’s guitar as it’s really light and nice to sing over, then work out harmonies on top or then songs are just fully formed by me and practiced aloud, this is the old way that I’m used to but I’m not always happiest this way. I hate the load it brings.

Are you constantly thinking about writing or do you stop and say, it’s time to write a song?

I’ve always dreamed of songs really and I guess that’s why we’re slow compared to other bands. They have to be formed in your mind and you can hear it all for you to know it’s right. Sometimes you will then have to doctor things to make them more dynamic etc but as long as the essence of the dream is still preserved then it’s gonna sound right out loud. 

How did lockdown impact – did it provide more time to write or halt creativity?

Lockdown was like heaven for us because we would sit and play in the garden or outside generally. We certainly practiced more than we ever have since and I think it helped us write and develop the songs we play now. Through that stillness in time we could distill things more than you can now. 

For those who are yet to listen to the band, how would you describe your music?

Would say it’s pretty melodic and harmony based and mostly always about loss, pain or want. It’s very pretty sounding though too pretty painful music. 

Has Liverpool influenced your writing?     

I think in this project a lot of the lyrics are about things that I have observed, people I’ve lost and times that we’ve had and they have all been in Liverpool and Wirral so I guess from an experiential point of view, the geography has everything to do with the songs. 

And what next for the band?

We always need to get much faster! That’s our thing, we only play when asked for example. We need to try and believe a little bit more and then the universe will believe in us too. The music’s really good so we need to get it produced properly and it gives it the depth of sound that it needs to be realized. Daniel Lanois would make our album sound great so let’s hope he reads this!

See you Thursday Sean and very best wishes for the future!

Matt

Matt Jacobson

Explore Liverpool

Thanks to Sean and Mellowtone Records / Dave McTague

READ MORE: Matthew Jacobson interviews singer songwriter Paul Iwan

                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email
Print

THE LATEST

Faces behind the Business – Jon Metcalfe – YMCA Together
27 May 2022
SERIES TWO – EDITION THIRTY THREE In the latest edition of our ‘Faces behind the Business’ series,…
First super-columns of steelwork installed at Everton’s new stadium Bramley-Moore Dock 
First super-columns of steelwork installed at Everton’s new stadium Bramley-Moore Dock 
27 May 2022
First super-columns of steelwork have been installed at Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. The…
Frederiks Liverpool
27 May 2022
Located on Liverpool’s iconic Hope Street, Frederiks neighbourhood kitchen and bar brings that little taste…
Unexpected visitor heads to Royal Albert Dock this June
Unexpected visitor heads to Royal Albert Dock this June
26 May 2022
An unexpected visitor will be heading to Liverpool’s waters this June. As part of Little…
San Franciscan sourdough pizza brand ‘Pizza Punks’ heads to Liverpool 
26 May 2022
Pizza Punks Liverpool will be the brand’s largest UK site, offering unlimited pizza and pasta…
Popular Brunch menu returns to award-winning Duke Street Market
26 May 2022
The award-winning Duke Street Food and Drink Market is relaunching its popular brunch menu, with…
Paris Fan Meeting Point confirmed by Liverpool FC for Champions League final
25 May 2022
Liverpool FC can confirm there will be an official open-air fan meeting point in Paris…
Huge free NFT meet-up heads to Pins Social Club showcasing local Liverpool artists digital artwork
25 May 2022
A huge, free NFT meet-up is heading to Pins Social Club to showcase local Liverpool…

WhatsAppenin LIVERPOOL

Receive WhatsApp notifications about the latest big news, events, offers, competitions and much more!

SIGN UP NOW

At Explore Liverpool we are all about bringing you everything the Liverpool City Region has to offer and more!

Useful Links

  • Liverpool Map
  • FAQs Liverpool
Menu
  • Liverpool Map
  • FAQs Liverpool

Stay In The Loop

Stay up to date with all the latest news, articles, events, and offers from across Liverpool!

© 2022 Explore Liverpool

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Menu
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
SettingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Explore Liverpool With Us!

Don't miss a thing. Sign up for our weekly roundup straight to your inbox! 🙌

Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!