Interview – Frankie Rudolf

Hi Frankie, how’s things?

Hi Darren, I’m good thanks. nervous, stressed and exited but all in all I’m doing well.

When did you first discover a love of performing music?

It must have been after I wrote my first song, it was a pretty horrendous song but I just really wanted to write more and play them in front of people. After my first gig it was like an addiction I play more.

Who are your biggest influences, both musically and personally?

Musically I really like Ben Howard, Sigur Ros, Coldplay, Jose Gonzalez, Matt Corby and personally my music is just influenced by the different people I see, the world around us and how I’m feeling.

When did you first perform live in front of a crowd, and what was the experience like?

When I was 14 I played and open mic at Jam Cafe, I played a set of cliché covers (Mumford & sons, Coldplay). I was ridiculously nervous before hand thinking about everything that could go wrong but I really enjoyed it.

What have been your most memorable gigs to date?

Glastonbudget and Y not were both really cool festivals to play. Nottingham playhouse in 2012 as a part of live and local and playing at the bodega supporting park Bench society are some of the best gigs I’ve done.

What about ones you’d rather forget?

There was a gig a while back where my guitar kept breaking half way between each song but apart from that I’ve not had any disasters.

You have a headline slot at the Nottingham Playhouse this Saturday, you must be pretty excited about that?

Yeah, I’ve never done a proper headline show before so I’m really looking forward to it. I played my first gig around this time two years ago, so it’s really cool to be playing this show two years down the line.

You’ll be playing for a whole hour, have you ever played for that long before and how nervous are you about such a long set?

I’ve not done a set this long before but I reckon after the first couple of of songs my nerves will go and it will just be a really fun evening. Me and Joe, who will be playing drums on the night, have been rehearsing a lot for it so it should run smoothly.

Can we expect some new material at the show?

Lots. Playing some brand new material and some newer stuff that people may have heard at recent gigs as well as some old tunes.

The Playhouse is a fantastic venue, and one of Nottingham’s most famous, it must be great to get to play such a prestigious place?

Definitely, not many people get to play a headline show there so I feel very lucky to be given that opportunity. Also the sound system is one of the best in Nottingham so that’s another added bonus to playing there.

Talking of famous venues, Sunday you play Rock City as part of the Future Sound of Nottingham Final, how did it feel when you found out you’d made it to the last six?

I was just really excited, to get so far in the competition ahead of so many talented musicians is amazing!

Playing the Rock City main stage is a dream come true for any Nottingham musician, you must be very excited about doing just that?

I can’t wait! I’ve seen so many amazing bands there so to be playing there myself is a dream come true. I never thought a few ears ago that I’ll be plying at rock city.

There is a great line up for the final, how are you feeling as the day draws near?

50% excited, 25% nervous, 25% stressed.

How would it feel to win and have the chance to open the main stage at Splendour?

I’ve not thought about to really but it would be incredible! The other acts are really good so I’m not expecting too much.

Nottingham’s music scene is buzzing at the moment, as this year’s Splendour shows, how does it feel to be a part of such a vibrant scene?

It’s really cool, I’ve met a lot of cool people and its nice to be a part of the little music scene community.

Who are your favourite fellow Nottingham outfits?

Amber, Great British Weather, Bitter Strings, Saint Raymond and Harleighblu.

So you have two huge gigs this weekend, what then for Frankie Rudolf?

Playing gigs throughout summer and more writing and demoing songs in perpetration for my next EP.

Can we expect an album in the near future?

Not a full length one yet but hopefully there will be another 4 track EP before the end of the year.

When you’re not performing how do you like to relax, what are you favourite Nottingham hang outs?

I like cycling around to random places and going to The Savoy.

Finally anything else you’d like to say to the NottinghamLIVE readers?

Thankyou for reading this interview!

Interview by Darren Patterson

For more on Frankie Rudolf check him out on Facebook