Features

Klaus Says Buy the Record

RSMA Final 2008

After over 50 live gigs across the country, the thousands of acts that entered were whittled down to a few hundred of which four bands were chosen as finalists in the 2008 Red Stripe Music Awards.

They were Kiddo, who assailed us with elastic rock that sprang open on stage, while O Fracas delivered the expected weirdo dark pop with defiant brilliance as The Down and Outs made melodies only the best post-punk outfits can fix up. Our attentions though were trapped on Klaus Says Buy The Record, a Brighton based assembly consisting of frontman and musical funnel John who guides his backing-troupe through some of the most charming Patrick Wolf-isms we’ve heard this side of Lightspeed Champion dissatisfaction. Did anybody like that record?

The reason we were so fixed on this chap and his squad of musicians is because they scooped the grand prize and title of Red Stripe Music Awards winner for 2008 and will, as of this very week, be enjoying their prize of appearing at the Great Escape festival in Brighton. Along with a slot at this amazing event, playing with Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong, One Night Only, Vampire Weekend, The Subways, Futureheads, they’ll also have a tour bus.. for keeps, the lucky swines… and a headline slot at this years massively acclaimed Blissfields Festival along with a set at the Lovebox weekend.

All in, it’s a heck of a prize for any new musician, and being such a fresh band with only a few live performances under their belt Klaus certainly show a drive and a self reliance that we at Red Stripe just take great pride in being associated with. Real talent at a real grassroots level is what this award is about and it’s with such delight that we can be allied with this gem in the British music scene.

More to come from this band we reckon, and we’ll be sure to keep you all up to date.

Again, we’d like to thank all of our finalists, and all of the bands who played across the regional dates. We’d also like to thank the fans once over for their support in new music, and of course John Kennedy, the marvel himself, for presenting the prize. As Dirty Pretty Things closed the night in style we once again look back on a great year of new music and grow itchy to come back next spring for another bout. Until then, we’ll see you down the front.

QUOTES FROM KLAUS

What inspired you to apply for the Red Stripe Music Award?

It was a spur of the moment thing. I just popped onto the website whilst surfing the net and applied. At the time it didn't occur to me that anything would result from it!

How was it playing at such a big venue so early into your career?

Man,it was a surreal day. I've been gigging quite a bit since November, but never really had the chance to play anywhere special...or at least somewhere that holds more than 50 people! The whole experience really got my heart beating.

How would you describe your music, and what is it that you think gave you the edge on the competition?

The other 3 finalists were great. They all had what it took to win. I think an advantage I had was that I was probably the odd one out; I don't sound anything like any of the other bands! It could have gone any way. Either I won or got laughed off stage.

What's the next step for you from here?

Well,First off it's the Great Escape Festival this Friday! I'm also going to do some recording with the band, play a few more shows and release my first single on Unlabel, which is my favourite record label. After that, who knows!