Will Pound Interview
YOU
- Tell us a little about you!
Hi, I’m Will Pound, and I’m a musician originally from Warwickshire. I play the harmonica and diatonic accordion. My music history is pretty broad – I have played in bands, duos, and in session work. I have played on pop records, albums from the folk scene and wider.
- Tell us a little bit about your music? How would you describe it?
Good question. I would describe myself as a trad musician who is open to anything, and I would describe my music as ever-evolving. There are elements of the music I made 10 years ago in my music now, but there are also quite substantial differences.
I play multiple types of trad music, and also classical, and am interested in all traditional music regardless of the background. I’ve done morris records, but I am also really proud of my EU album, celebrating trad music of the EU states post Brexit. I’m an instrumentalist at heart, and the harmonica and melodeon are my instruments of expertise. I like to not just to showcase the instrument, but showcase what it is capable of in each genre. Because of this, I will play the melodies but improvisation is key in my musical style.
- What are your favourite songs to play live?
This changes all the time. Amazing Grace is definitely one of my favourites. I used to do this with Jon Parker from Niz Lopi and it is such a great tune to play. There are a few trad tunes I always go back to because I like them, but I currently love playing The Planets suite by Holst. If you had asked me that two years ago, I wouldn’t have expected Classical would be the answer, its mad, but I love playing that like I love playing the Queen of Sheba. The Clinch Mountain Backstep is a bluegrass tune I love coming back to as it is so satisfying to play. Those are my favourites, but there will be others that come up in the moment!
FOLK
- Tell us a bit about your journey into the world of Folk Music?
I blame my parents entirely for how I got into trad music. My mum loves folk. My Dad likes it but is more of a Jazz fan – which is probably where I get my love to improvise from. I was pretty much born into Chinewrde Morris team who are a regular at Warwick Folk Festival. I always liked the music world I grew up in. I love a wide variety of genres and trad music is just one of the genres that I love but it definitely feels like home to me. It is such a lovely community. I have met people who have been raised in this community on the other side of the world and we can relate to each other. Is it a cult? I don’t know!
- What made you decide to be a Folk Musician?
Its not so much about wanting to be a folk musician. It is more about wanting to be a musician. I was doing a BTEC Diploma in Music Practice at Warwickshire College. The main lecturer was from Berkley College of Music and was a great Rock and Jazz musician so I played a lot of that music at that time. I feel like because I was exposed to such a variety of music styles, my personal playing standard went up. Even when I went to Newcastle to do a Folk Music degree, I was playing music from outside of the trad genre as well. I was 21 when I went pro, and that was it and I haven’t done anything else since!
- What is something you wish everyone knew about Folk music?
Probably that they have already come across it already! If you have been to a football game and had a singalong, I would describe that as folk music because its music of the people. That’s just my opinion and it’s not factual.
The folk world it’s a great community and its very welcoming. There are genres within genres and there are differences between folk and trad music. It is so wide ranging – people can pick and choose what they like and dislike within folk music. We have an issue in England where folk music not that well known or celebrated. Scotland and Ireland have an awareness and identity around folk music – its normal. But in England, it’s not normal and I would like to see that change.
- What is your favourite thing about being a folk musician?
That I am able to bring a really emotional response from people – whether that is happiness, sadness, making people relax, or making people laugh. I think its good to be humerous in music – laugher is a good medicine.
WARWICK
- What was your reaction at being asked to be patron at Warwick and why?
To be honest, it was about 5 years ago and I was shocked initially. I don’t think I have ever missed a year at Warwick Folk Festival. Even if I have had to go to another festival over festival weekend I still make time for Warwick. I remember a few years back I had to play in Germany – I flew out for two nights and flew back immediately so I could at least have the Sunday at Warwick Folk Festival. It’s such an honour and it is great to now be co-patron with Ellie Gowers.
- What is your favourite memory at Warwick Folk Festival?
I recently saw a very old video of me playing snare drum when I was about 10 or 11 with my morris team. That is one of my favourite memories – especially considering all of the gigs and concerts I have done since.
Another great memory is having Ed Sheeran as one of the tech crew at Warwick Folk Festival. It was when Niz Lopi were playing in the town square and before Ed was famous. He was really nice, and apparently still is.
- What is your most memorable performance at Warwick (yours or someone elses!)
Probably Le Vent Du Nord – every time I have seen them they have been just brilliant. I am pretty glad they are coming back this year!
- When you are not performing on stage, where are you most likely to be found at Warwick Folk Festival?
If I am not playing, I am in the bar with pals. Some trad musicians don’t like playing sessions, but for me that’s part of it. I get great ideas from it and I love the community of it.
MISC
- Your favourite band to watch live?
La Bottine Souriante. They are probably the best live band I have ever seen. The Energy, the dynamic range, the ability to switch genre within a second. In my view, in terms of arrangements and playing – they are probably the best in trad music.
Also a very special mention to Lau – they really push the music and genre forward, and Kinnaris Quintet who are phenomenal. I am slightly biased because I work with Jen but Kinnaris Quartet are absolutely kick ass.
- What drink are you most likely to have in your hand at Warwick Folk Festival?
I don’t drink alcohol but love a soft drink. Chinotto Italian soft drinks are my absolute favourite.
- Aside from the clothes, toiletries and general essentials, what is one thing you never attend Warwick Folk Festival without?
My instruments- it kind of goes without saying – I always have them on me.
- What one piece of advice would you give to someone attending the festival for the first time?
Try out everything and see what you like – there are multiple things you can do. You can sit in the sessions and chat to people, go to the concert marquees, go to the morris dancing – there is so much to do. So if you are new, try a bit of everything and see what you like.
THIS OR THAT
- Coffee or tea?
That is generally a very hard question. Probably coffee overall. Its probably very bad for me but it helps me wake up.
- Sweet or savoury?
Savoury. Probably pizza followed by curry followed by pie. As you can probably tell I have a phenomenal diet.
- Ceilidh or concert?
I love playing for ceilidhs, but I am not much of a ceilidh dancer, so probably concerts overall!
- Song session or music session?
Without a doubt, music sessions. Im not a singer, so it would be music. My perfect session would actually be tunes but with one or two songs sewn into it also. I like a mix.
- Clogs or shoes?
I do like my clogs. My clogs were the last made by the clog maker Trevor Owen. I love wearing them, but the relief at the end of the day when you get to take them off is extreme! So I am going to choose shoes!
- Camping tent or camper van?
I’ve done so much camping over the years that I have now gone off it! Probably camper van if I had to pick but my camping days are now over!
- Ice cream or Ice lolly?
Definitely Ice cream. Definitely. Preferably from Rome.