Starsailor (Interview)

by David Cross on 9.05.09

LOCAL legend James Walsh from Starsailor claims their new album, which came out March 9, is the best they’ve ever made.

The lead singer and guitarist was initially nervous about how many records their latest work of art would sell, ‘All the Plans’, released – but the chart topping four-piece managed to reach 26 in the UK album charts in the first week it was released.

Starsailor, who played at the Ritz on March 27 as part of their album launch tour, are trying to revert back to their old style – largely in response to the slamming they received by critics for their last album.

The multi-platinum selling lads from Chorley, Lancashire, have enjoyed world acclaim since their arrival on the music scene in 2001. The band sold their first UK tour in March 2001, which consisted of eleven dates in England.

But the band’s third album ‘On the Outside’, released in 2005, was not well received by some critics. Now, eight years on from their arrival, the band has tried to make their forth album, ‘All the Plans’, in the style of their first chart topper ‘Love is Here’.

Walsh said: “We have taken a bit of a U-turn and stopped trying to emulate other bands. The best way to approach writing songs is to find a winning formula and stick to it. Keep to your own style.”

But Walsh believes the combination of a rising standard in other mainstream indie bands such as Kings of Leon, and the economic downturn, make it especially challenging time at the moment.
When asked what the biggest challenge Starsailor has had to face, Walsh said it is the music industry at the moment.

“It’s a really tough time for bands,” he said. “You have to compete all the time to stay in the top 40. But we’ve worked really hard on the new album. I have complete confidence in what we’ve done as artists.”

Starsailor finished their new album about six months ago, but their record label, EMI, put it on hold.

Walsh said: “It was a nervous time because we weren’t really sure where we fitted into the industry. Luckily, Virgin struck a deal with them and it’s all okay now.”
He describes the title track, ‘All the Plans’, as similar to a Joy Division song – but much more upbeat and easy to dance to.

Some critics have summed up Starsailor’s ‘All The Plans’ album as “a beautifully sad album.”.

‘Tell Me It’s Not Over’ starts it off by Walsh singing out “I discover she’s sleeping with another, tell me it’s not over…”. At first, the moving lyrics may fall on deaf ears, but – once you realise what the song is about – it takes you to a deeper emotional level.

Critics have mused that – in terms of style – this album is nothing ambitious for the band compared to past efforts, and that they are playing it safe – but the album is rarely boring.

The record could be looked upon as refined and solid – the way a band’s forth album should be.

‘Hurts Too Much’ is almost as a response to the opening track – although it is placed later in the track listing. The song declares that those who have been hurt by their former lovers now must move on.

‘All The Plans’, which was released on March 9, might take a few listens to be truly appreciated – but many say it has succeeded.

Although Walsh has had considerable success over the past eight years, he has not forgotten his Lancashire roots. He still remembers when he used to wash pots at the Red Cat restaurant on Blackburn Road, Whittle-Le-Woods, Chorley.

He said: “I feel bad because I hardly ever come up there anymore. Starsailor are on tour all the time but I’ll never forget my heritage.”
Starsailor are currently touring the country – which will end with them playing at Empire in Shepherds Bush, London, on April 9.