SUPER SEVEN: The Early Purple

Image by Ellen Dixon

Having recently released well-received new single The Greek Key, Northumberland’s beguiling alt. indie band The Early Purple prepare to perform a headline show at The Glasshouse, Gateshead alongside Lovely Assistant and Steff Mundi on Thursday 11th December. Here, songwriter Matt Saxon answers seven randomly generated questions to give us a little insight into his psyche…

What is one invention you think the world could do without?
I think everyone has had a mobile phone crisis at least once, but that’s such an easy answer. Nobody needs a microwave really. It’d get rid of chefs nuking your food restaurants, unhealthy rads bouncing around your kitchen, and it’d make microchips extinct. I don’t have one in the house at the moment and I’m getting on just fine.

If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be?
I always stop scrolling when I see a good joinery video online – the sort where they’ll chisel wafer thin adjustments in joints that make two pieces of timber fit perfectly together. Japanese joinery is a beautiful artform too, so perhaps that in particular. I imagine you’d become very good at meditation which could be a beneficial offcut of the skill.

If you could live in any fictional universe, which one would you choose?
As long as I have the special powers, the Harry Potter universe would be fun. If there’s no powers involved, then it’s just the regular universe but there’s sneaky wizarding stuff going on without me knowing about it. If no powers, I’d want to be around in The Regular Show universe. Everything is relatively normal – until jeopardy comes into play, then it’s just not. Regular Show enjoyers will get what I mean.

What is one book or movie that changed your perspective on life?
Julius Roberts’ The Farm Table is a cookbook that has never missed yet. Every dish I’ve cooked from it is delicious. In terms of changing my perspective on life, it’s not really done that, but it’s definitely changed my cooking standards.

If you could have any animal, real or fictional, as a pet, what would you choose?
No pet is better than Zappa, my cat. So, it’d be mint if I could just have another Zappa when this one runs out.

If you could witness any event in history, what would it be and why?
Front row at Keith Jarrett’s Köln concert in 1975. Not a historical event as such but it’s one of my favourite records to put on. I’d go out for a nice meal first, drink a cocktail or two, then just melt into the seat while enjoying the concert.

If you could compose a piece of music for an alien species, what would it sound like?
Just a cover version of MMMBop.