MOJO called John Murry’s The Graceless Age one of the Top 10 albums of 2013.
What was the food highlight of your year?
I realized - then questioned myself for liking it - what blood or black pudding was after eating it on a number of occasions, thinking it was really good fried and seasoned sausage, in Ireland early in the year. The guys that run the label I’m on there took me to eat at a restaurant in Dublin called, appropriately and simply, Upstairs, overlooking the infamous Haypenny Bridge. They were shocked when I ordered it and then extra. I like black pudding. Who knew? It’s good to not ask what’s in your food sometimes. Or what it is, I suppose!
What was the music highlight of your year?
I don’t go to as many shows as I should when home now, but I have a family, so I think that serves as a fine excuse. All the same, watching John Grant play at the Electric Picnic festival in Europe after we’d played was a hugely emotional and awe-inspiring experience beat only by watching Bob Dylan deconstruct and recreate his own songs in real time on piano with his Grammy on the piano lid at The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. There’s still a reason others get called Dylanesque.
Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?
Though Carlos Forster said the same, nothing is quite like the vibe of The Lost Church or the attention given each show and pot pie and cookie Brian Belknap puts together. Carlos isn’t into the sweets as much as I am, I guess, but watching him play with Christine Shields and eating Brian’s amazing food was easily the food meets music highlight of my year. I can’t say enough about either he or Christine or Brian! Viva los Lost Church!