Interview: Southern Gypsey Queen

For the past decade, Southern Gypsey Queen have refused to bow down to trends and conventions, as they’ve continued to rock out with their secret socks out. In light of their 10 year anniversary, MusicReview caught up with vocalist/guitarist Gareth Wilson.

So, 10 years in the industry. That’s a long time. Aren’t you sick of all the politics yet?

Gareth Wilson: Got sick of the politics very early in our career; that’s why we do our own thing, work very close with our manager,  play with bands who feel the same way we do, give ourselves the freedom to do whatever it is we want to, musically – and, most importantly, avoid ever becoming a part of any so-called scene.

Looking at where you are now, do you have any regrets?

Gareth Wilson: Yeah, loads – but the main one is worrying what the music industry people thought about what we were doing earlier in our career. When we started making the music we wanted to, is when it really started happening for us. Seems the more respect you have for your music, the more the rest of the industry has as well, and if they don’t, well it’s no skin off our backs; we do have the best job in the world, so who are we to complain.

If there was one thing you could change in the local music industry, what would it be?

Gareth Wilson: I’d like to see radio stations get a little more daring when playlisting music. In my experience, most people can relate to some or other form of ‘real’ music they just need to be exposed to it.

What have been the highlights of your career up until now?

Gareth Wilson: You’d think it’d be playing to our first crowd of 10 000 or our first # 1 on a radio station – but, to be honest, for four kids from Molteno to still be doing this 10 years later definitely ranks as our highlight. Can’t wait for 20 years.

Considering that the whole band is family, have you ever had any major disagreements that have boiled over at the family braais? You know what they say about mixing family and business…

Gareth Wilson: For sure, Paul [Wilson] and I fight over absolutely everything, but we also forgive really quickly.

Southern Gypsey Queen seem to have built up a good rapport with Shadowclub, and do quite a lot of shows with them. Why is this?

Gareth Wilson: They probably the only band we have toured with who really have that old school rock ‘n’ roll work ethic. Also, we have a great respect for each other, musically, and feel we can sometimes achieve more touring together, taking rock ‘n’ roll to the people the old school way – on the road, baby!

What are some of your other plans for the year?

Gareth Wilson: We are doing a national tour with Shadowclub in April, and there will be some really cool things happening for our 10 years later in 2012.

Do you feel that it’s still worthwhile recording full-length albums, or are EPs and singles the way to go?

Gareth Wilson: We’re still on the fence with this one, but it does seem that albums are losing more and more relevance these days.

And finally, do you think you’ll still be wearing skinny jeans in the next 10 years?

Gareth Wilson: (Laughs) I have recently discovered Bermuda shorts and flip-flops; this might just be the beginning of the end for me.

Photography credit: Shireen Arbuthnot

- Sergio Pereira