Temposhark Interview


I've read that your band name, Temposhark, was created subconsciously, after waking up in the middle of a dream. But what's the weirdest dream you've ever had?
Robert Diament: I've some weird dreams flying. I actually love dreaming of flying. I've even flown with Madonna in a few dreams a few years ago and I think Gwyneth Paltrow and I flew somewhere, ha ha! ;)

Mark: That I was stranded out on a boat in a sea of ice cream

Mathis: I've had lots recently, the weirdest is probably being in an hacienda in the middle of the desert, running away from someone trying to kill me, jumping over the fence and ending up in Dubai buying Walt Disney golden chocolate!! Don't know what the meaning of that dream is but it's a pretty fucked up one!!

Luke: That I was playing a gig on a pair of breasts.


Where would your dream gig be?
Luke: Covered this in question 1 I think.

Robert: I'd love to headline Coachella festival in the US.

Mark: Headline Glastonbury

Mathis: On a beach in Latin America.


What's been your best gig to date?
Luke: Again, see question 1.

Mathis: Playing in LA to screaming fans!!

Mark: Oh yeah, at The Roxy, California.

Robert: Yes definitely, it was such a great gig and Madonna's brother Christopher was in the audience and was really complimentary afterwards. We talk on email sometimes now, I really like him. We actually did a cover of Madonna's 'Like A Prayer' that night, not knowing he would be there, and luckily he liked it. ;)


Have you always thought 'I want to be in a band'? What were you aspirations when you were younger?
Mark: Yes, my aspirations were always just to be in a band.

Luke: Me too. Always music.

Mathis: I've been playing drums for as long as I can remember and always knew that I'd become a professional musician.

Robert: I always wanted to be a performer, from the moment I started walking. I was doing loads of creative things growing up from acting, to dancing. I learnt classical piano from the age of 4 and sang in a local church choir from a young age too. But I only wanted to become a songwriter and singer in my teens, I wrote my first song at 13 and took it very seriously. I dedicated my life to it, and found it more rewarding than anything else I did because it was a way of sorting out my head, and getting out how I felt about my life. Artists like Tori Amos, Suede and Patti Smith had a huge effect on me in my teens.


You have been featured as a Myspace featured artist twice now, what do you think of the whole social networking phenomenon?
Mark: I love the fact that by the time we get back off tour we are able to keep in touch with all the great people we met.

Luke: It's actually a great way to keep in contact with friends when travelling.

Robert: Without the help of people like iTunes and MySpace featuring us, there's no way our music would've reached that side of the world as quickly as it has done. It's amazing how powerful the Internet has become, and how much smaller the world is.

Mathis: Overall, I think the Internet has been a great revolutionary force especially MySpace and YouTube.

Robert: Also just the fact that more people can record their own music thanks to affordable software, like apple's Garageband on a basic level, means that more people are making good music than ever before from their bedrooms. The way music is made and shared online now at places like MySpace means there's more music out there than ever before so anyone who says 'oh there's so much shit' on the radio isn't really looking hard enough, because rubbish music has ALWAYS been played on the radio but there's no excuse now, if you want to find amazing music now you can!

Mathis: I think it's great, it's giving the power back to the musicians and making it a lot easier to keep in touch with the fans.

Robert: Via MySpace we talk with people listening to our music in places as varied as Japan, Sweden, France, Germany, Canada and USA, I even had an email from a guy in Latvia a few weeks ago. I really believe it doesn't' matter where you've grown up or the different experiences you've had growing up, as at the end of the day, we're all the same and its music and art that brings us all together.


On your Myspace page you're running a competition to 'tell friends and family' about Temposhark, but how would you describe Temposhark in one sentence?
Robert: Your new favourite band.

Mark: Joy, Joy, Joy

Luke: Guilty, 10hrs community service.

Mathis: Iconic band ready to take over the world!


You're growing in popularity both here in the UK and the US and you've travelled to many places, but overall, where would you say is your favourite destination? Is there anything you miss about England whilst you're away?
Robert: I miss my friends when I'm touring but I guess emails have helped keep us more in touch. I always write when I travel and I find it incredibly inspiring to discover new places and learn about different cultures. Right now I'm in love with Berlin and am considering writing some of the next album there. I have some friends there with cool studios. I stayed there last time with my close friends from Noblesse Oblige who are a cool punk rock band over there and also saw Joel from The Hidden Cameras there… there's a lot of great music stuff happening there right now and I love the atmosphere.

Mark: I'm torn between NY and L.A. the only thing i miss about England is Marmite.

Luke: I loved Sydney, had a fantastic time in NYC last Superbowl Sunday, like LA a little more each time I go... but had a great gig in Salt Lake City once where the gear didn't turn up and we had to improvise with the music and the instruments! They were so fantastic to us there. This nearly made it to question 3 but got pipped at the last minute. I miss my dogs when I'm away, and my car. It's nice to have the freedom when you get back of being able to drive again.

Mathis: I love NYC. I miss the gloomy weather...(just kiddin')

Robert: The US and Canada tour in 2007 blew my mind. It was a total dream come true. I love New York so much and made some lifelong friends there, so it's almost becoming like a second home for me.


Along with travelling, you've collaborated with many artists; how did the collaboration with Imogen Heap come about?
Mathis: Nothing to do with me.

Mark: Ask Rob.

Robert: I'd been a fan of hers since her first single 'Getting Scared', when I was 17 or something! I'd got to know her over those following years, asked her to sing with us and she was up for it. I love her band Frou Frou with Guy Sigsworth too. Imogen's one of the great artists of our time. Unlike many other artists, she continually shines brighter and brighter with every album she does.


In January 2008 you launched your music on Last.fm internet radio network; if you were in charge of a radio station for one afternoon what songs would be in your playlist???
Robert: Gett Off – Prince, Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole – Martha Wainwright, Heartstopper - Emiliana Torrini, Love… Thy Will Be Done – Martika, So Called Party Over There – Gonzales, I'm So Stupid – Madonna, Rubberband Girl – Kate Bush, Hear Me Out - Frou Frou.

Mark: Come on Feet- Pete and the Pirates, Surrender -Performance, No Cars Go - Arcade Fire, It's My Life - No Doubt, Army of Me- Bjork, Disarm - Smashing Pumpkins, On top - the Killers.

Luke: Lets Go Out Tonight - Craig Armstrong, A couple of mine for the PRS, Nothing You Say - Callaghan, Newborn - Elbow, Anything by Jeff Buckley, Nothing by Amy Winehouse, No More Walks In the Wood - The Eagles, What It Feels Like For A Girl - Madonna (are you happy now, Rob??)

Mathis: I can't really remember songs titles but i'll have probably songs from: Camille, M, Brazilian Girls, Jamie Lidell, Hot Chip, Alice Russell, State Of Bengal, Justice, The Prodigy, The Herbaliser, The Cinematic Orchestra and anything that rocks!


Finally, what are the plans for Temposhark in 2008 and beyond?
Mark: Universal Domination,

Luke: I didn't realise we had any plans? They keep secrets from me as I'm not to be trusted.

Mathis: Play gigs, finish the next album and take over the world!

Robert: Yeah, I've written about 15 great new song demos and am currently working out what I want to be on the next album and still writing some more songs… it's gonna be fun! We start recording it in September so shouldn't be too long until it comes out. We're going to do it much faster than we've previously done. Onwards and upwards!


Interview by Stacy Reeve


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