Photo credit James Edmond
In Conversation with Cloth at Connect Festival Edinburgh on the 26th August 2022
The conversation begins with James from the Scottish Music Network asking Rachael and Paul Swinton, the members of the band Cloth, about how their day has been compared to the previous day. Rachael exclaims “Oh my god, yeah!” indicating that today has been better, and Paul confirms that yesterday they “got washed out”, implying the weather was poor.
James then transitions into asking the band about their stage name, Cloth. Rachael explains that they struggled to find a name for a while, and they were looking for something that didn’t have too much inherent meaning attached to it. She mentions they liked the band name Can, and felt it made sense to choose something similarly ambiguous. Paul adds that the name has been a “Marmite thing” – some people really love it while others question it.
Next, James compliments the powerful and distinctive style of Cloth ‘s music, saying he watched and photographed their performance the previous day. He asks about their musical influences. Paul cites Sleater-Kinney as a key influence, particularly their use of dual guitar parts without bass. He also mentions the Cocteau Twins and their “floaty” vocals as an influence, as well as more modern acts like Beach House and The xx, praising the way they blend electronic and guitar elements.
James then asks about Cloth’s recent performance at The Secret Show on the Tiny Changes Stage. Rachael and Paul both describe it as a really nice, intimate, and chill experience, as it was their first time playing a live music set in that format.
The conversation then shifts to discussing Cloth’s busy year, with numerous festival performances. Paul expresses how signing to the label Rock Action, a label they had long admired, was a highlight and a bit surreal. He also discusses the band’s work on their upcoming second album, which he says has been a creative and rewarding process.
James notes that many bands have used the time during the pandemic lockdowns to explore new music and increase their creativity. Paul agrees, saying it allowed them to really “funnel” all the new music they were listening to into their own song writing.
When asked about career highlights so far, Paul cites playing a session at Maida Vale for BBC 6 Music as a dream come true, as well as playing at the iconic Balaclava venue in Scotland, which he describes as a “dream” for any Scottish musician.
Finally, James asks Rachael and Paul for advice they would give to up-and-coming musicians. Rachael emphasizes the importance of honing your live show, as that can make a strong first impression. Paul reinforces this, adding that while social media is important, the music itself is the true “passport” – the primary focus should be on making the music as strong as possible through dedicated practice and rehearsal.
Overall, the conversation provides a detailed look into Cloth’s origins, musical influences, recent career highlights, and advice for aspiring artists, offering valuable insights into the experiences and perspectives of this rising Scottish band.
Interview by James Edmond
