Charlie Reid, one half of twin brothers, (Craig being the other half) that make up the music group ‘The Proclaimers’ has been to Australia on 4 or 5 occasions but has never been to Tasmania. That will be remedied this tour and he will be able to experience’ the flourishing art scene’ he has heard so much about. Charlie tells me ‘it is obviously great to get a gig in Hobart’.
The boys arrived on the scene from a working class background, with their mum a nurse and dad a carpenter. The title of the group came about with the guys wishing to demonstrate they were ‘proclaiming’ an important message in their music.
The Proclaimer’s songs are eclectic ranging from the social commentary, ballads to country. One commentator labelled them the music ‘netherworld’ where pop, new wave and punk collide.’ (http://www.proclaimers.co.uk/the-story/
As they say you really know you are famous when you make it in Hollywood and the boy’s voices and song can be heard on many soundtracks including their song ‘I’m On My Way’ as part of the soundtrack of the movie Shrek. I ask Charlie is Shrek’s’ distinctive Scottish accent a co-incidence or a tribute to the band? It seems to be neither, Charlie tell me that Mike Myers who voices Shrek in the movie is from a Scottish region of Toronto.
The boys love recording but find performance most fulfilling, especially when they can observe the reaction in the audience and the connection that develops between them through their songs.
Due to the popularity of the songs they are often covered by other artists. How does Charlie feel about other people singing their songs? He tells me ‘it’s always good to have better looking people sing your songs to reach a new audience’.
The Proclaimers new album ‘Let’s Hear it for the Dogs’ is out now and you can see them live at Wrest Point Entertainment Centre Tuesday, 19th April 2016 8pm.
Paula Xiberras
